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patentdragonPirates of The Carribean - Dead Man's Chest
Pros: This pretty much has it all. Pleasantly easy to get into if you haven't seen the first one. Depp and Nighy are brilliant, and the creature design - most notably the crew of "The Flying Dutchman" - is outstanding.
Cons: A bit too long, perhaps, for a movie with a pay-off due next year? The cage and waterwheel scenes come off as maybe a wee bit too similar, but the latter beats the former easily, particularly on laughs. The shock reveal at the end isn't much of a shock if you don't recognise the character (from the first one?)
The verdict: Not a surprise that this movie was the fastest ever to earn $300 million. I'll certainly be in the queue for the third one - now, where's that PoTC1 DVD...? 8 out of 10
Superman Returns
Pros: Bryan Singer does it again. Routh does the role proud - give him another movie to truly grow into the part - and Spacey is a much better Luthor than Hackman ever was. The movie certainly doesn't hang around, with its big opening heroics. The press praise is highly deserved - a most worthy alternative to the "official" Superman III. Finally, the "religious subtext" some have been scathing about isn't as big a deal as it was made out to be, although it can be a bit "in your face".
Cons: The Lois Lane family situation doesn't quite sit right, but it's not a major flaw. When will villains get decent help, instead of surrounding themselves with idiots? Who thought the "villain's moll" was a good idea - anyone remember Pamela Stephenson in III?
The verdict: A shame this got caught up in the PoTC2 frenzy, as it's easily as good, although Captain Jack and co are clear winners in the laughs stakes. Definitely a superior superhero movie to X-Men - The Last Stand. 8.5 out of 10
Now that's what I'd call a good day out :)
Pros: This pretty much has it all. Pleasantly easy to get into if you haven't seen the first one. Depp and Nighy are brilliant, and the creature design - most notably the crew of "The Flying Dutchman" - is outstanding.
Cons: A bit too long, perhaps, for a movie with a pay-off due next year? The cage and waterwheel scenes come off as maybe a wee bit too similar, but the latter beats the former easily, particularly on laughs. The shock reveal at the end isn't much of a shock if you don't recognise the character (from the first one?)
The verdict: Not a surprise that this movie was the fastest ever to earn $300 million. I'll certainly be in the queue for the third one - now, where's that PoTC1 DVD...? 8 out of 10
Superman Returns
Pros: Bryan Singer does it again. Routh does the role proud - give him another movie to truly grow into the part - and Spacey is a much better Luthor than Hackman ever was. The movie certainly doesn't hang around, with its big opening heroics. The press praise is highly deserved - a most worthy alternative to the "official" Superman III. Finally, the "religious subtext" some have been scathing about isn't as big a deal as it was made out to be, although it can be a bit "in your face".
Cons: The Lois Lane family situation doesn't quite sit right, but it's not a major flaw. When will villains get decent help, instead of surrounding themselves with idiots? Who thought the "villain's moll" was a good idea - anyone remember Pamela Stephenson in III?
The verdict: A shame this got caught up in the PoTC2 frenzy, as it's easily as good, although Captain Jack and co are clear winners in the laughs stakes. Definitely a superior superhero movie to X-Men - The Last Stand. 8.5 out of 10
Now that's what I'd call a good day out :)
