Pirates of the Caribbean became one of Disney's most lucrative franchises in the past 10 years before falling into disrepute, yet I maintain that one element could have saved its entertainment value. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was a runaway hit back in 2003, suring everyone's expectations for a movie based on a theme park ride and working with a historically unreliable cinematic genre. Yet the high-sea tale cemented itself as an instant Disney classic with a combination of strong performances, stellar design, beautiful action, and a timeless story.

On top of it all was the brilliantly original character of Captain Jack Sparrow, earning Johnny Depp a surprise Lead Actor Oscar nomination. However, nowadays, nearly every Pirates of the Caribbean spinoff. Yet, as a huge fan of the swashbuckling fantasy aesthetic, I think that maintaining one element could have made even the worst storytelling worth it.

Pirates Of The Caribbean Used To Have Very Elaborate, Well-Choreographed Sword Fights

Old Pirates Of The Caribbean Action Worked Because It Was Outlandish But Still Incorporated Real Fencing Technique

Curse of the Black Pearl created a highly censored but highly enjoyable version of the Golden Age of Piracy, inviting longtime fans of the Disneyland ride to indulge in it more. A huge part of this setting's atmosphere is the meticulously choreographed sword fights. The first big sword fight of the franchise, between Jack and Orlando Bloom's Will Turner, is shot in such a way as to show a lot of the actual technique. Following in the footsteps of the infamous Princess Bride duel, this sequence makes me (and I'm sure others) feel fully immersed in the setting.

Later movies show how both the world and the characters feel hollow when this complex element is lacking.

The following two Pirates of the Caribbean movies uphold the fight choreography standards set by the original, even if they represent a minor step down from the storytelling. The crazy water wheel battle is a favorite of mine — but I actually also love the lead-up to it, which shows the dueling happening among the ruins of a church. The wide shots of Will and Jack Davenport's Norrington are the best of the movie's swashbuckling essence, in my opinion.

Both Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and At World's End show the sword fights happening in increasingly unlikely locations — which contributes to the fantastical tone of the series — but hold the shots long enough to show that the actors/stunt doubles are performing a lot of complex choreography leveraging real fencing techniques. Later movies show how both the world and the characters feel hollow when this complex element is lacking.

The Action In Pirates Of The Caribbean Has Been Getting Worse

The Staging Of Pirates Of The Caribbean 4 & 5 Is Lazy Compared To Its Three Predecessors

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Dead Men Tell No Tales are the low points of the series' storytelling — but also action. On Stranger Tides still includes some interesting dueling scenes, but the initial confrontation between Jack and Penélope Cruz's Angelica is more focused on the gimmick of her being disguised as another Jack Sparrow. Additionally, the movie's cinematography makes it so the actors don't have to do as much work as in the previous installments. Popular YouTube channel CinemaSins ruthlessly criticizes the excessive cutting during this movie's action scenes, which hides that the actors aren't doing anything all that impressive.

Yet Dead Man Tell No Tales is the biggest disappointment yet — there is not a single substantial sword fight in the entire movie, something that is sadly easy to miss due to its poor writing. The movie exemplifies how the writers feel like they need to top previous action sequences and construct absurd concepts like the Poseidon Tomb's sequence where it is literally impossible for any kind of sword fighting. The result is that Jack and his fellow pirates are involved in increasingly slapstick action, rather than the grounded battles that made us believe the characters had actual combat skills.

Pirates Of The Caribbean Would Still Be Worth It If The Action Was Up To Par

Pirates Of The Caribbean Would At Least Be Fun To Watch If Jack Was Still A Brilliant Swordsman

It's no secret that Pirates of the Caribbean has been getting worse — Jack and Barbossa's (Geoffrey Rush) characters aren't as sharp as they used to be, and the overall plots have gotten bogged down in convoluted supernatural lore. However, I would still be willing to go out to the movies for Pirates if I knew the action would be as good as it was in the original. If nothing else, Disney can sell the aesthetic. The franchise's PG-13 version of this period of history lets the audience revel in the same dashing, romantic adventure vibes as always.

Yet the action is a huge part of this aesthetic, as it lets me believe that the characters are highly competent pirates, even if what they say is stupid, while making the movie visually stimulating.

Throw in some attractive period costuming and the iconic score that is so good it's inexplicably played at every Oscars ceremony, and I will buy into it. Yet the action is a huge part of this aesthetic, as it lets me believe that the characters are highly competent pirates, even if what they say is stupid, while making the movie visually stimulating. The pirate genre has had a tumultuous history in entertainment, but if Disney at least still invested in the quality of Pirates of the Caribbean's action, I think the overall feeling of the story would still be enjoyable.

Source: CinemaSins