It’s clear that we’ve shifted from director-led blockbuster filmmaking like this to corporate-led blockbuster filmmaking in recent years. That doesn’t always make for a better movie, but it almost certainly makes for a far more interesting movie. That’s certainly the case here. Verbinski just goes off the rails almost from the opening sequences, and he never finds his way back on. And it turns out it’s pretty nice to go off roading sometimes.
Dead Man’s Chest is bloated, and it’s overlong, but it’s also refreshing. It’s got a clear vision of what it wants to be, even if the story is a little confused about how to get there. Plus it’s got some of the best CGI we’ve ever seen in a movie. An awesome thrill ride.