As we all know Disney are responsible for a number of different movie franchises. One of them being the Pirates of the Caribbean. Based off of a ride at Disneyland that was built in 1967! It wasn’t until 2001 that a script was finally put into development by Jay Wolpert, however it was rewrote by Stuart Beattie in early 2002, with filing commencing later that year, enough time for the film to be released August the next year. In this time we were introduced to the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swan and Will Turner. Fast forward fourteen years and four sequels later, I figured it was about time I did the world a favour and let everyone know how I ranked them! As per usual there will be spoilers so if you haven’t watched any yet I would highly recommend you do and then come back here and give this post a read.
Number 5
On Stranger Tides
This is the fourth film of the series. Released in 2011 and raking in 1.046 million at the worldwide box office. In this film we see the return of Jack, Barbossa and even Mr Gibbs. We see them “Team up” with Blackbeard, his daughter Angelica (who Jack has a past with) and their crew on a quest to find the fountain of youth. I feel like the storyline is good, starting with where Jack is and what he has been up too since the end of the last film and of course the standard ‘escaping the guards’ chase scene, and it did introduce many new likeable characters. However the lack of certain people (William, Elizabeth) just made it feel Luke there was something missing and as a viewer I personally was just waiting for them to make a grand return that sadly never happened. My favourite scene is one where Jack is being made to jump off of a cliff in order to find a ship which contain the chalices they need. Now as usual Jack brings the comedy to the situation and acts just like anyone would if you were being asked the same as him. Angelica states she will do it as jack can’t be trusted but Blackbeard still wants to make jack do it. Jack states Blackbeard wouldn’t let his daughter do it. Blackbeard then makes his Quartermaster set 6 pistols only 2 unloaded, Jack picking which two will be shot at Angelica. After only one is shot, Jack’s voodoo doll is then thrown over. Jack screaming as the doll falls adding the much needed comedy in the situation. Angelica now tired of the situation prepares herself to jump, however Jack leaps before her, mimicking the dolls fall previously, (scream and all). There is then the silence as we wait to see if he will emerge from the water. Thankfully he does and with one of his classic witty one liners. It then cuts back to Angelica and Blackbeard at the cliff edge. Angelica then states that tit was well played and that he knew which pistols had the bullets. We see slight hesitation in Blackbeard before he answers of course and walks off. Angelica is left standing alone, clearly thinking the same as the audience. This is one of the reasons why I like this scene so ,much as it is one of the first times we see that Blackbeard really only cares about himself, even more than his own daughter and this is a time that Angelica is finally starting to releases it as well.
Number 4
Dead Man’s Chest
The much anticipated sequel to the original. Deadman’s chest made a whopping 1.066 Billion at the Worldwide box office after its release in 2006 and currently ranking 35th in the all time worldwide box office chart. This film is set a year after the events of the first, and follows the fallout of the first film. We see Will and Elizabeth’s wedding being interrupted as they are arrested for acts of piracy. After deals are made as are prison breaks, we find the story following the mission to find the chest that contains Davy Jones’ heart. As Jack is at risk of being taken to Davy Jones’ locker as a deal he made years ago is coming to an end. I did enjoy this film as it was full of many twist and turns. Bringing back some of our favourite characters as well as introducing some interesting new ones. As well as delivering some brilliant battles scenes and stunts. The main reason this is lower on the list is because I feel like you need the third one straight after to enjoy it properly and as a stand alone film it isn’t one I would pick to put on when I have an hour or so spare. My favourite scene is a three way sword fight between Jack, Will and Norrington. I think it is brilliantly choreographed and shows how much the chest is worth to many different people for many different reasons, and I meant the waterwheel fight is just iconic.
Number 3
Salazar’s Revenge
In at Number 3 is the latest release in the franchise. Released in 2017, 6 years after the previous and bringing in 794.9 million at the box office. This film takes place 22 years after the third, however this time we are following Will and Elizabeths son Henry on his adventure with Jack to find the trident of Poseidon and break Wills curse. However Jack is also being followed after Captain Salazar determined to get his revenge on Jack after years of being stuck in the devils triangle. Another new character we meet is Katerina, an astronomer who is accused of witch craft. She is a brave, independent woman and honestly one of my favourite characters in the whole franchise. I feel like this film really brought back what everyone loved from the original trilogy. It is a good mix of action, comedy and adventure whilst also having that bit of emotion and moments that really make you hold your breath. My favourite scene is one in which we get to see the story of how a young Jack Sparrow was first made Captain and how he gained his infamous title.
Number 2
The Curse of the Black Pearl
Now I’m going to take you back all the way to 2003 when the franchise was first introduced to the world. It made 654 million and was an instant hit. From the start we are instantly hooked when we see a young Will and Elizabeth making their journey from Britain to the Caribbean. I think they individual way each character is introduced are all very different and standout. We are first introduced to Keira Knightly as Elizabeth she has just woken up from a dream about the night her and Will met. It is clear she is still fascinated by pirates and life at sea, but when her father come to wake her up she hides the medallion she is looking at so we know this is something she’s not allowed to have. The fact there are also other people in helping her get ready we find out she is also someone of importance (in this case the governors daughter). We are next introduced to Will who we see waiting in the governor’s home, whilst he’s waiting he manages to break a piece off of a lamp, this shows how awkward and clumsy he appears. We find out he is a blacksmith and a very handy swordsman as well, therefore we quickly learn that there’s more to Will than meets the eye. Lastly we meet Captain Jack Sparrow, and frankly it’s the perfect most Jack Sparrow way. He is standing in the crows nest of his ship, however the crows nest is all we can see of the ship as the rest appears to have sunk. He steps out and lands on the dock just as the last of his boat is submerged underwater. In that 10 seconds it describes Jack completely as he always finds himself in these pretty dire situations but somehow it all manages to work out best for him. I feel the action, characters and storylines just all work so well. My favourite scene is the one where Will and Jack first meet, it ends in a sword fight, which is just perfectly choreographed and just amazing to watch.
Number 1
At World’s End
In at number one is the third film in the franchise. At Worlds End was released in 2007 and made 961 million at the box office. After the cliff hanger that we were left with the year before fans were more than ready to get back into the cinema and get some answers. I feel this film was the perfect way to wrap up the arc of the first three films. There is so many different aspects to this film it would be difficult to pin point just a few. Yet they all fit in so well together and there never a dull moment. Altho8ugh there are many scenes to choose my favourite is very close to the end of the film. The big final battle is happening, the two different crews are aboard each ship with the goal to get the chest that contains the heart of Davy Jones. All of our favourite characters are part of the fight, we pan to Will and Elizabeth who we can see work well as a team. Will then asks Elizabeth to marry him, which she states just as the audience are thinking “I don’t think nows the best time” they keep fighting and he explains how he doesn’t think they have much time and asks her her choice in which she yells for Barbossa. A twist no one saw coming, but it turns out she was just asking him to marry them. He also stated he a bit busy, but in the end they perform one of the nest ceremonies in cinematic history. It has all the romance these films need with the action still heavily involved. The added comedic lines help to keep it light hearted in which is quite an intense fight.
So there you have it! I would love to know your opinions and what order you would put the films in.
Thanks for reading!
Cinema & Chapters by Peggy 