Rebirth of the swashbuckler - 5.23.2007.2

Tomorrow is the premiere of the blockbuster hit Pirates of the Caribbean : At World’s End. Obviously it will be a blockbuster, I’m going to see it tomorrow along with millions of people across the country and world. Mr. Johnny Depp is phenomenal as Captain Jack Sparrow. He makes the movie work. The rest of the cast are no slouches either, but his character stands out. Of course I expect little else for an actor that has made a career of taking highly unusual characters and making them inviting to watch.

Because of this performance many are announcing the return of the pirate and swashbuckling movie. I’m sure movie studios are itching for next year or after that to come out with their own high seas adventure. Nothing is copied as often as a successful movie genre. Airplane led to disaster movies, Jaws to beast attacks, Halloween to the current horror fest (and of course a remake). But there is one thing I wanted to mention. Mr. Johnny Depp did not bring back swashbucklers, Mr. Cary Elwes did.

Some of you may be saying who? You may recall him from Oxford Blues with Mr. Rob Lowe, or Days of Thunder with Mr. Tom Cruise. Not ringing a bell, hmm? What about Glory with Mr. Morgan Freeman, Mr. Denzel Washington, and Mr. Mathew Broderick? Well if you have ever seen The Princess Bride I know you recall the Dread Pirate Wesley.

Better than Mr. Johnny Depp and the Pirates films? Inconceivable! Not really. You can’t compare the 2, but both are amazing works filled with great actors and memorable imagery. The Princess Bride is a classic film in the style of the original swashbuckler (or me at least) Robin Hood. Not the crappy remake by Mr. Kevin Costner, but the movie starring Mr. Errol Flynn. That movie defined what a swashbuckling/pirate movie is supposed to be, and every movie before The Princess Bride failed miserably to fulfill that image. Of course if you watched Mr. Elwes go you can see why Hollywood was dying for a good script to carry on the concept. Humor, romance, a touch of drama in the background and of course the hero dies – sound like anything you’ve seen of late?

I am a fan of Mr. Depp. I enjoyed the Pirates series as much as anyone, and I’m anticipating a wonderful time at the 3rd film. Still I can realize that it wasn’t the reason that swashbucklers are back. As the countless films come out in the near future that rip-off this concept, as you watch the DVD’s and Video on Demand, take a moment to recall that there was a pirate in the past as famous as Captain Jack. Hey, who knows, you might even take a moment to watch the movie and see what I mean. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

This is what I think, what do you think?