Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End - 9 stars out of 10

Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End - 9 stars out of 10

"At Worlds End" is an outstanding addition to the Pirates of the Caribbean saga and the perfect ending to this first trilogy.  Although I wasn't a huge fan the first time I saw it, the second time was much more fulfilling as I understood the entire plot better as a whole.  It's easy to get lost when the plot twists and turns so much but once you're ready for it, this film proves to be an incredible journey.  It doesn't get much more intense than the opening sequence at the gallows, setting the groundwork for a breathtaking, "heart-stopping" (get it?) sequence of events.  More than anything, I'm glad that Disney did not worry about making this film kid-friendly.  Better to do the film right and let the kids wait until they are older to see it than to dull down the action for the sake of selling more tickets (and consequently, this probably increased the number of adult viewers exponentially).  Overall, I felt that about 20 minutes of this movie could have been cut out.  It is cool to see a dozen Jack Sparrows running around but it didn't gel with the overall atmosphere of the film.  More obviously, the whole Calypso thing was stupid and unnecessary.  The rum jokes continue, but this film does a better job of standing on its own without relying on the jokes from the first two with the exception of the ending which cleverly plays homage to the first film.  The character of Elizabeth Swann continues to develop into a kick-butt piratical joy to watch and is sure to be one of your favorites by the end of this film.  A unique feature of the film is the constant confusion between who is the hero, who is the enemy, and who is both.  Just when you think that the tables won't be turned on you again, they are turned twice.  With rain crashing down, the writers created the most amazing setting for a final battle.  Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, can prepare you for the final 25 minutes of this trilogy.  You are guarenteed to have your jaw drop until you realize that, since the first moments of the first film, the writers set this story up for the perfect ending.  Finally, don't you dare turn the film off before you see the bonus ending - it brings perfect completion to the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, leaving you speechless and satisfied.