LYT's Weblog

I'm often surprised by mass reactions. I remember coming out of THE MATRIX RELOADED thinking it was as perfect a sequel as you could get, only to realize that I was the only person who felt that way.

Make that two. Well, three. MReloaded was great.

As for the main thrust... yeah, it's odd, isn't it? People get stuck on their preconceptions.

I stayed away from POTC: DMC because all the reviews said similar things to what they are saying now – too convoluted, too many characters and that it only works when Depp was on the screen. My kid’s wanted the DVD so I bought it and watched it with them. I was blown away with how much I liked it, multiple storylines, character development and one of the best “jump up and cheer” endings I’ve seen in a long time.

This time I am heartened by the critics same opinions as last time and look forward to spending almost three hours in a movie theater. I also plan on bringing my six year-old son to his first live action film (he’s seen the other two multiple times on DVD) but will refuse to give him any liquid for at least 24 hours prior.

I remember defending Dead man's chest on this site when it came out. People complaining about it being "all over the place" just didn't seem to be able to follow each of the character's motivations, which were surprisingly consistent.

I had no problem following DMC but a lot of people did. Hopefully it's the same thing this time.

Also, Reloaded sucked. It had too many redundant and patronizing monologues that should have been cut. Dead Man Chest didn't insult my intelligence, it assumed I had enough to keep up with a brisk plot. That's the difference as I see it.

I don't think anyone has yet explained, to my satisfaction, the scope and limits of Davy Jones' teleportation powers in part 2.

Thankfully, he doesn't use them in part 3. Just walks through walls a lot.

And for all the "patronizing" of Matrix Reloaded, there are still plenty of people who claim they didn't understand it at all. I loved the way the architect scene flipped the script, but clearly it didn't work for everyone. I would certainly concede the payoff in three should have been better.

I thought we figured out that he can teleport onto your ship from far away when it's not moving, but he has to get closer to you when it is moving. But I haven't seen it in a while so i don't remember.

Anyways, that's a true nitpick. No one really complained that neo's abilities were sometimes inconsistent, they just thought the pacing and writing were sub par. Sort of like spiderman 3.

No one really complained that neo's abilities were sometimes inconsistent

Oh, sure they did -- "Why doesn't he just fly away from Agent Smith," etc. But regardless of that, come back when you've seen POTC3, and let us know what you think.

Some do say it's too talky and full of exposition. I don't think so, but then I didn't think that about Matrix 2 either.

Full review tomorrow afternoon.

Also, if that Davy Jones rule holds, it makes sense, but I don't remember anyone ever saying it, or any case made in the movie for it. Anyway, not an issue in part 3

I think you are on a good point when it comes to critics being terribly easy suckers for the foreign (or Lynchian) convolution being regarded as wonderful - when its not...

critics get examined by this amateur critic on the basis of whether they reject popularist films or offer a truly discerning eye on popcorn as well as art-house... - I will now predict - on the strength of what I have read here (LYT and the rest of you - respect) that I will enjoy this movie, that I might otherwise have sidestepped...

and when the Guardian does its umpteenth weekly showing of one and two star reviews of new releases like this, followed by a five star rating for a re-released French classic that I have seen and KNOW isn't that great, I will mark that critic's card accordingly...

Philip French, like Luke, admirably bucks that trend, speaking as he finds.