ARRGHH! 'Pirates' is Back Again!

Elizabeth Swann (Kiera Knightly), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), and Capt. Barbossa (Bill Nighy) are back on the big screen for a whopping 2 hours and 45 minutes packed with adventure and accompanied by a dynamic musical score (composed by the legendary Hans Zimmer).

Along with the rest of the crew (including, Tia Dalma, Pintel, Ragetti, and Mr. Gibbs), the premise of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" (AWE) involves our favorite pirates sailing to the end of the world battling for their safety and encountering fantastic villains along the way.

Recalling back to the 2003 smash hit "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," we remember this film did not fit the description for a typical Disney movie because of the PG-13 rating, but was very much family oriented, obviously keeping the younger fans in mind.

Though CG (computer-generated) effects were beautifully executed (particularly those that showed the undead), it was clear that maximum efforts were put into this "pilot" storyline.

The final installation to the "Pirates" empire picks up where "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" leaves off, and stands out from its predecessors in that it is darker, more visually spectacular, more gruesome, and even a bit weird.

Showcasing its grimmer side, AWE opens with a mass hanging scene, turning the tables for the once kid-friendly conglomerate.

The murders are ordered by Jack's well-known enemy, Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander) who faithfully returns for a third production.

Some might complain that nearly 3 hours worth of showing time is only good for stretching an already thinning story too far, but personally, I loved it! Considering the fact that ticket prices are at or near $10 a pop, I felt I was getting my money's worth.

Blame the potential for audience confusion on the length of the movie if you will, but I say it was the failure to slow down and solidify the delivery of the story and by making the viewer work a little harder to keep up with the fast-paced flow.

This movie answered questions raised in the first and second movies like if Will and Elizabeth ever tie the knot, the revelation of Davy Jones' true love, and what the final outcome is of "Bootstrap" Bill Turner.

Unfortunately, it also raised plenty of questions, as the twists and turns of the plotline became more complex, characters were introduced quickly and remained underdeveloped, and sub-plots seemed to guide you farther down the rabbit trail.

Still, I can't get enough of those swashbuckling mateys! In my book, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" deserves a 7.9 out of 10.

So, for all you die-hard "Pirates" fans, and those who are casual passers-by, pay attention to the details, keep your eyes peeled, and enjoy the bumpy (but thrilling!) ride!