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Reviews
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Lacks the feel of the first one
Let me preface this review by saying I was a huge fan of the first "Pirates of the Caribbean", and therefore decided to attend a midnight showing of this film. However, when I first walked out of the movie, I was entirely disappointed, but I felt as if I should be liking it because the first one was so great. In fact, that's the reason this review is so late.
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" seems like a film Disney put out to get automatic money due to the success of the first film. However, lucky for them, they forgot they had some "fans" who will defend the film vehemently, no matter what people say. I've seen people with perfectly legitimate opinions on the film get bashed by the so-called "fans", just for pointing out a negative aspect of the film.
And that is how this movie differs from the first installment. Whereas "The Curse of the Black Pearl" was a fun film that most people could find numerous things to enjoy, the second movie in the series seems rather long and dragged-out, characterized by (some) shoddy effects work and flat acting from some of the main characters.
However, I am willing to look past that if the film has a good plot. Unfortunately, this film did not. My biggest gripe with this film is that it basically ends in a "to be continued"-type scenario that basically says to me "we want your money for part three!" And, unfortunately, they will not be getting mine. As an avid "Pirates of the Caribbean" fan who saw the first film seven times in theaters, the second film has greatly impacted my appreciation of the first movie. There were so many possibilities, yet it seems as if Disney decided to go for more action, sacrificing a good plot instead.
And, suffice to say, Disney will not be getting any money from me for part three.
A Cinderella Story (2004)
Good Movie, Depends On Personality
-Spoilers-
From hearing it's title, you know this movie will be predictable, as far as the plot goes. You also expect it to be a dumb teen movie, just because it is a romance story featuring Hilary Duff. I went into the theater with both of those expectations, but I learned I was wrong.
A Cinderella Story follows the life of a young girl named Sam who lost her dad due to an earthquake and is forced to move in with her mean stepmother and two stepsisters. Her father supposedly did not leave a will, so the evil stepmother, Fiona, gets everything. Sam, in turn, acts like Fiona's slave so that she has the money to get into Princeton, her dream college.
Sam also has a secret admirer, per se, who she contacts using the internet and her cell phone's 'text messaging' feature. The admirer wants to meet at the Halloween dance, but Sam is not so sure she wants to come out of the fantasy relationship and meet her admirer.
She finds that her admirer is the lead quarterback and student body president Austin Ames. She talks with Austin for a short time until her cell phone's timer goes off and she must leave before she tells him who she really is.
The entire movie may have a pretty predictable plot, but it is infused with comedy and a modern flair that I think many people will enjoy.
It doesn't matter what your initial perceptions of this movie are; I invite you to take the chance, and see if you are enchanted by the magical spell this movie leaves.
I won't go before saying that this movie isn't for everyone. Obviously if you are someone who hates any kind of teen movie and loves gory action flicks this movie is not for you. But if you are someone who enjoys comedy, drama, and romance, give this movie a shot, no matter how old you are or what gender you are.
Final Rating: Four out of five stars. ****
Author's Note: Just to show you that anyone can enjoy this movie, I am a 14 year old perfectly straight guy.