What is it about this movie that I love so much?

From the very first scene with Johnny Depp when he makes that unforgettable entry onto the dock, to the wonderful retro-swashbuckling-sword-fights, to the extremely cool special effects, I found little, if anything, to dislike about the movie. I love the layers of story that appeal to both my seven-year-old and me, the humour, and the outrageous exaggeration of everything: the British are so British, the heroine so spunky, the pirates so greedy, the drama so over-the-top.

Understand, I'm *not* a "cinephile." I see two or three movies a year, usually with my children. I saw this movie once, and immediately bought it. I can (and do) watch it over and over. There are parts of it I know by heart.

I'm troubled: Disney is not my favourite place to go for really quality film-making. The whole premise of the film is ridiculous: making a movie based on an amusement park ride? I don't know what it is, but I really do love it - and Captain Jack Sparrow is the most refreshing, interesting, involving, and entertaining character I've seen in a long time. Maybe it's the whole Johnny Depp effect. I've rarely seen a movie with him in it that I don't enjoy.

te "You best start believing in ghost stories Miss Turner. You're in one!" ach