"Pirates of the Carribean 2 - Dead Mans Chest" *** Only 3 stars because of the ending.
We know from all the pre-release hype that there is to be another film in the series - starring Keith Richards as Jack Sparrow's dad - but even if we werent aware of that, it is clear from the ending that this is the middle part of a trilogy - much of what went on in the first film is referred to and even the ending with the replacement captain would have gone over your head if you havent seen film 1. The ending is also very abrupt so it doesnt stand alone as its own film .... and that lets it down. Having said that, the effects are quite good - the captain with the Octopus beard, the Kraken, and such like .... Johnny Depp's stoned/pished Jack Sparrow is a good character once again but the two witless pirates from the first film are even funnier.
I saw the first film and looked forward to this one, and there is no doubt i will need to see the third one in a year's time, if only to complete the story !!