Verdict: more than decent flick and lots of fun, as long as you aren’t expecting The Tempest… or, for that matter, Tim Powers’ own On Stranger Tides, which is kind-of, sort-of, not-really, actually-Tim-himself-is-fine-with-the-liberties-taken-because-he’s-getting-some-of-that-money-and-the-most-poetic-phrase-in-English-is-‘Pay-to-the-order-of’ the basis for the movie. The movie shows a certain willingness to admit that, yeah, there was an actual historical time period that this series has been largely abusing, and it had more of the conventional pirate movie tropes than some of the earlier flicks did.
Also, they had proper Spaniards.
I’d say, all in all: catch it in matinee, and go have a beer or two afterward. Or maybe one beforehand; either way, the afternoon will go pleasantly enough.
Did you notice Mr. Powers among the extras?
No, I did not. Who was he?
I love Tim Powers’ attitude toward the movie. Some writers take themselves and their works too seriously. He’s just enjoying the ride and the money, so I have a lot of respect for him. If I had the money I’d buy his book.
So, I’m listening to Keith Richards being interviewed on NPR yesterday, and my 10-year-old says “he sounds like Captain Jack Sparrow”.
Then I had to explain, which was a happy thing. The girl’s got aural and visual acuity, I think.
Moe, I don’t think he played anyone of significance. I do know that one of the conditions attached to the sale of rights was that he’d be allowed to be one of the extras in the movie.