Thread:Rodangizzardcrusher3/@comment-26687285-20160822213306/@comment-26687285-20170428020840

Since you mentioned that you like Cars 2 (a sequel that is generally despised by filmgoers and critics alike), let me in turn tell you about a largly disliked film series that I enjoy.

I love the PotC trilogy. Not ironically, not as simple spectacle, not as trashy mindless action fodder. I genuinly think they're good movies. Not great, but certainly good. To me, they are a great example of how to do popcorn entertainment. I also disagree with many of the complaints lobbied against (specifically) DMC and AWE.

1: The plotlines are confusing and nonsensical.

2: They're too long and therefore boring to watch.

3: They pander to the same dumb crowd as Bayformers and Twilight.

I honestly like how fast paced and interwoven the story is and how each film expands upon the larger narrative and the relations between the characters. Each film has a distinct look, cool new setpieces, great character moments, and enough good introductions, set-ups, and pay-offs that I find myself being engrossed every time.

I also really don't mind most of the humor in the films either. Alot of people say the jokes are stupid, annoying and repetitive. And while I can certainly see where they are coming from (and even agree in some instances), for some reason it just doesn't bother me.

As for the charge that it panders to dumb popcorn eaters. Well, I actually don't entirely disagree with that. What separates these films from something like Revenge of the Fallen however is that, to me, they actually have likable and charismatic characters, good performances, genuine emotion, a (moderatly) engaging story, IN ADDITION to cool explosions, fast-pasted fight scenes, and fancy visual effects.

For me, the Pirates movies lie somewhere on the midpoint of quality for Hollywood blockbusters. With films like Bayformers, TMNT, and Battleship on the bad side and films like TWS, CW, IM1, and the Dark Knight trilogy on the really good side. I place it in the same realm of high-quality escapism as ID4, the original (three) Batman films, the Brosnan Bond era, The Mask (1994), Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, the Star Trek reboots/ First Contact, and Hellboy 1-2.

I also have many memories of watching the first film with a friend from my old neighborhood (who incidentally also gave me BttF1 as a present when we moved away, something I remain thankful to him for to this day), as well as going to see parts 2 and 3 with my older brother(s).

There are just so many moments and images from these films that have become part of my movie-going consciousness. That one sailor falling into the mouth of the Kraken. The shot of that bright yellow dress slowly sinking. The skeleton crew's underwater walk. Sao Fang's half-frozen ship sailing between those massive icebergs. Davy Jones' locker and Tia Dalma's rock crabs. The Black Pearl floating upside-down with its hull above water. Davy Jones playing the organ with his tentacles. Will investigating that foundered ship followed by Davy Jones's introduction. Bootstrap Bill being forced to punish Will with a whip. And many more.