'Pirates' is a blast despite weak ending

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL — *** — Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, Jack Davenport, Jonathan Pryce; rated PG-13 (violence, brief gore, mild profanity, vulgarity); Carmike 12 and Ritz 15 Theaters; Century Theatres 16; Cinemark 24 at Jordan Landing; Cinestar 5-Star and Gateway 8 Cinemas; Megaplex 12 at the Gateway; Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons; Redwood Drive-in (with "Finding Nemo"); Westates Holladay Centre Cinemas 6.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" is an awful lot like the Disneyland attraction that spawned it. In fact, there are specific homages to the ride — including bits of business that appear as if they came directly from the ride.

Depending on your perspective, that's either a good thing or a bad thing. After all, the ride's blend of goofy, rather cornball adventure doesn't necessarily appeal to everyone. However, for many, many others, the ride is a whole lot of fun — and for those of us who are in that boat, the film's a blast as well.

In fact, this is one of the few summer movies this year that actually feels like a summer movie. And while it may not be the headiest, most thought-provoking way to spend two-plus hours, at least it's fun.

The film stars Orlando Bloom as Will Turner, who, as a boy, was discovered floating on the wreckage of a pirated ship. Now he's grown up, and he's fallen in love with Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), the lovely daughter of an influential governor. Unfortunately, she's betrothed to a naval officer. But wouldn't you know that it's Will who steps in to try and rescue Elizabeth when she's kidnapped by the villainous crew of the Black Pearl.

If Will's going to free her, he'll need help. So he turns to Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), a besotted pirate captain with his own reasons for wanting to aid the young blacksmith. And speaking of ulterior motives, the pirates have a reason for taking Elizabeth — they believe she's the only person who can lift a curse that causes them to sail the seas as members of the undead.

Director Gore Verbinski keeps the action sailing along smoothly — at least until the sloppy 15-minute ending that feels like a reshoot, or at least a heavy re-write.

Still, until then it's fun. And the CGI effects are spectacular — especially a scene in which the undead pirates appear to be half-man, half-skeleton.

Above all, this is really Depp's show. While Bloom, Knightley and Geoffrey Rush (who plays the pirate leader) all have their moments, it's Depp's somewhat loony scalawag that makes it so enjoyable.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" is rated PG-13 for violence (sword fights, stabbings and acts of piracy, as well as some violence against women), brief gore, scattered use of mild profanity (religiously based) and some vulgarity (innuendo, as well as a sight gag involving a parrot). Running time: 135 minutes.

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E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com