Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 40
  3. Negative: 3 out of 40
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  1. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    88
    Finally, there's a big-budget popcorn movie that delivers what moviegoers hunger for: humor, action, thrills and charismatic characters. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is the summer blockbuster we've been waiting for.
  2. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    83
    Flawed though it may be, it's frequently an unaffected pleasure, in no small part because of Depp but also because of a raffish air that's a welcome respite from the heavy going of "The Matrix Reloaded," "The Hulk" and other behemoths.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Keith Phipps
    90
    Verbinski knows when to break out the stunning action sequences and when to let his characters dominate the film, and he handles both modes expertly.
  4. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    90
    This is an original work in an antique mood. The actors and authors all have fun with the genre without making fun of it. Rather, they revive it.
  5. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Chris Kaltenbach
    88
    A first-rate sail into Adventureland.
  6. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: David Denby
    90
    All in all, Pirates of the Caribbean is the best spectacle of the summer: the absence of pomp is a relief, the warmth of the comedy a pleasure. [28 July 2003, p.94]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 495 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 263 out of 288
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 288
  3. Negative: 17 out of 288
  1. Splatt3r
    10
    I think it is a very great movie. The atmosphere with the characters, especially Sparrow, the music and the settings are great. I can watch this movie over and over again and I can recommend this movie to anyone who likes this adventure-type of action movies.… Full Review »
  2. grandpajoe6191
    6
    "The Curse of the Black Pearl" is a movie that focuses too much on preposterous humor. It kills the movie, but Johnny Depp's performance is the sole thing that saves the messy film.… Full Review »
  3. Seriously
    10
    They say the first is always the best and it certainly applies here. Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is the start to arguably one of the best film franchises to date. If you like comedy, action, drama, romance- actually, if you like watching movies in general, you have got to see this one. I don't usually give films a solid ten (I think this is the first) but I can find no flaws here. It has a great plot, great performance by the cast, great visual effects and very memorable music. Just watch it already.… Full Review »
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