While the status of Jack Sparrow’s return to thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise is uncertain, the next potential entry in the saga must recall what made the original film a smash hit. It has been nearly a decade since the last time thePiratesfranchise set sail at the box office, and Disney has a challenging task ahead of them in returning the series to its former glory.
Will thePirates of the Caribbeanseries ever return? The franchise has been in limbo since thediminishing return of 2017’sPirates of the Caribbean 5.Rumors have circulated that a totalPiratesreboot starring Margot Robbiewill take over, or perhaps a sixth entry in the existing timeline. That said, it’s unclear what the future of this franchise holds. Whatever Disney elects to do, they need to remember the roots of what madeThe Curse of the Black Pearlso great over 20 years ago.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean Sequels Got Bigger, But Never Better
The Stakes Are Higher In The Films After The Curse Of The Black Pearl, But That Doesn’t Mean The Story Was Superior
The saying goes that bigger is always better, but that was not the case with thePirates of the Caribbeansequels.The subsequent films in the franchise afterThe Curse of the Black Pearlcertainly upped the ante from the first film, but the results were mixed. 2006’sDead Man’s Chestdove deep into the ocean, unearthing the villainous Davy Jones and the monstrous Kraken.
The franchise’s third film, 2007’sAt World’s End, went even further, with goddesses, an army of crabs, and a journey to the literal edge of the earth with the power to resurrect fallen characters and anoverblown focus on Jack Sparrow’s immortality. Even the heavily maligned fourth and fifth films added zombies, mermaids, ghosts, and Poseidon to the mix.
While I certainly admire the ambition of thePirates of the Caribbeansequels and enjoy many of the set pieces, especially the sequences on the Flying Dutchman withimpeccable CGI for Davy Jones, they leaned too much into fantasy, yielding a muddled product when compared to the original picture. The supernatural elements weren’t the only component that increased in the sequels. The movies focused more on comedy and hijinks, heightening the silly aspect of the characters, especially Jack Sparrow. The later films seemed to lose sight of what made the original flick engaging, honing in on the wrong aspects of that movie.
The First Pirates Of The Caribbean Movie Was Atmospheric, Restrained & Balanced
The Curse Of The Black Pearl Understood How To Weave All These Different Components Together Effectively
The Curse of the Black Pearldemonstrates a unique ability to balance believability and the supernatural expertly. This is accomplished because of restraint, never going too far in one direction. The titular curse, which turns the crew of the Black Pearl into undead pirates, is used sparingly throughout the film. The impact is palpable when Elizabeth Swan first encounters Captain Barbosa in his skeleton form. When the band of pirates walks the ocean floor, the moment’s weight is fully realized. Even the final confrontation between Captain Jack and Barbosa is gripping, with brilliant choreography weaving in and out of the moonlight.
The film never overuses these fantastical factors, only adding them to the narrative when needed.I appreciate the creepy atmosphere this creates surrounding the Black Pearl and the pirates that inhabit it, including an exciting reveal ofJack Sparrow garnering the cursein the film’s third act. The following films in the franchise overdo these elements with a cacophony of heightened storytelling.At World’s Endis emblematic of this issue, with so much fantasy that the narrative becomes bloated and convoluted.
However, in the original, the beloved pirate captain is the perfect blend of stumbling drunk who is secretly the most intelligent guy in the room and capable of outwitting anyone.
Additionally,The Curse of the Black Pearlmanages to incorporate comedy seamlessly as well.Sparrow became a caricature of himself in the later films, which always frustrated me as a viewer. However, in the original, the beloved pirate captain is the perfect blend of stumbling drunk who is secretly the most intelligent guy in the room and capable of outwitting anyone.
Sequences such as the cannibal island inDead Man’s Chestmake Jack out to be aLooney Tunescharacter, but the first film understands his strengths and weaknesses and never plays the character off as a complete cartoon, despite somefantastic sword-fighting scenes inPirates of the Caribbean 3. The restraint showcased inThe Curse of the Black Pearlis the film’s greatest asset.
Can Pirates Of The Caribbean 6 Bring Back What Made Curse Of The Black Pearl Great?
The Hypothetical Sixth Pirates Film Will Have A Tall Order Bringing The Franchise Back To Its Former Glory
All this to say, can a potential sixth entry in thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise return to the roots of what madeThe Curse of the Black Pearlan instant classic?I don’t envy whoever Disney taps to helm this picture, seeing as they have a tall task attempting to replicate what made the original flick so beloved in the first place. However, I see an avenue towards success. Disney needs to return to basics for the success of a sixth Pirates outing.
While Johnny Depp’s return as Jack Sparrow inPirates 6is to be determined, there is a path forward with or without him. The filmmakers should hone in on the elements that succeeded in the first film,simultaneously maximizing the style and substance while never overdoing it in either direction. Additionally, while some fantasy elements should be incorporated, they are an inherent part of the franchise, so keep them to a minimum for a bigger impact when they do occur. If Disney keeps these factors in mind while crafting their nextPirates of the Caribbeanfilm, they could have another smash hit on the horizon.
