I just got back from seeing it. I really hadn't planned on doing so for a few reasons. One, although I saw the first movie in theatres three years ago (geez, has it been that long?!) I really barely remember a single thing about it. Secondly, it was so pants-wetting Depp-erific to my girlfriend and all her friends that just thinking about the first movie after three years made me wretch or, in softer moments, roll my eyes. And third, she and her friends dressed up for it and went out tonight to see it without attempting to include me. But then an old high school friend of mine (actually, as far back as elementary school), who I hadn't seen in nearly a year and a half, called me up and invited me to see it. I just thought it would be too deliciously naughty to give myself the possibility of "accidentally" bumping into them, so I decided to accept. I never saw them, but I enjoyed the movie much more than I thought I would.

Be on alert for spoilers. Ye shall tread no further than this point! ARrrr!

Like I said, I don't remember the first movie much at all, so the characters and continuing story were pretty much lost on me, except for a few exceptions. But the action was good, the Bootstrap Bill scenes were fun, and the swordfight on the water wheel, while a bit far-fetched, was quite entertaining. I also loved the eunich joke, because I'm just a fan of eunich jokes. But I agree that it had that Empire Strikes Back feel to it. I could see the cliffhanger ending coming. The only thing I regret not seeing in this movie is Will confronting Elizabeth about her kissing Jack. I almost wanted to see Will not agree to search for Jack at the end of the movie, just to show how pissed off he was. The CG was really quite impressive, and I didn't find myself thinking about the special effects like I would with the Star Wars prequels, even when it came to Davy Jones most of the time.

So, yeah. It was a fun movie, and I can't wait to rub my girlfriend's nose in it... if she can stop her gushing long enough to listen to me, that is. ^_~