Opened: July 9, 2003

Directed by: Gore Verbinski

Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jack Davenport, Kevin R. McNally, Zoe Saldana, Jonathan Pryce, Treva Etienne, David Bailie, Lee Arenberg, Mackenzie Crook, Trevor Goddard, Isaac C. Singleton Jr., Bryce Cooper, Martin Klebba, Damian O’Hare, Greg Ellis, Giles New & Angus Barnett

Based on the beloved Disneyland ride, the first installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean series is a daring adventure that’s filled with comedy and benefits from a stellar cast.

Thinking that she is the key to breaking the curse that affects the crew of the Black Pearl, Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) kidnaps Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley). Her blacksmith admirer Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) teams up with Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) to bring Elizabeth back to safety.

Depp is perfect in the role of Jack Sparrow. You never know what he’s going to do next, which makes your eyes glue to him every moment he’s onscreen. He plays alongside the well-matched Rush, whose Barbossa is one of the best modern villains to grace the big screen.

Final say: Yo ho, a pirate’s life for me. ★★★★★