Aarghh! 'Pirates' way too long

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END — ** 1/2 — Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom; rated PG-13 (violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, torture, brief gore).

About the only thing that hasn't been thrown into "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" is the kitchen sink. Although, there could be a kitchen sink in there — but this third installment is so full of elaborate set pieces, lengthy sword battles and explosions, you'd be hard-pressed to find it.

"At World's End" is yet another summer "three-quel" that's as overstuffed as an engorged Thanksgiving turkey. Not that it's unexpected, considering the film has to resolve the numerous story threads left dangling in the first two movies. And it introduces yet more new characters.

As a result, the film runs nearly three hours long and feels like it.

On the other hand, it is largely more appealing than the inferior second film — and as usual, the standout here is Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow.

After being betrayed by Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), Jack has been consigned to Davy Jones' Locker — a hellish limbo that's slowly driving the already besotted rogue crazy.

But Elizabeth is also part of a rescue party that's sailing to the ends of the world to find him. She and her longtime love, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), have been joined by Jack's former nemesis, Capt. Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush).

It turns out they need his help to combat Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander), who is now aided by Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) in exterminating all remaining pirate crews.

There is a ridiculous amount of story to resolve here, and the film takes its time doing so, which doesn't leave much for new additions Chow-Yun Fat and Keith Richards, who are basically consigned to useless cameos.

It also appears director Gore Verbinski lost all sense of restraint. A lengthy pirate ship duel goes on forever. And an explosive finale sequence is so bombastic you'd swear it was directed by Michael Bay instead.

That leaves a hefty load for Depp, who tries to buoy this leaden material with another batty performance. That the film is even watchable is largely due to him.

And there is a Utah connection; that's the Bonneville Salt Flats in the Davy Jones Locker limbo sequences.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" is rated PG-13 for some strong violent sequences (sword fighting, stabbings, shootings, hangings, cannon fire, creature attacks and explosive mayhem), some suggestive language and humor, scattered mild profanity (mostly religiously based), a brief torture scene, and some brief gore. Running time: 167 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com