Thomas and Frank set sail for a rewatch of Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl. They talk first impressions, why the story pacing feels different today, and why Jack Sparrow still dominates pop culture. The conversation hits character arcs for Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, the film’s blend of practical effects and early CGI, sly nods to the Disneyland ride, and what modern blockbusters can learn from a character first adventure. Fun facts and a quick Hall of Fame debate wrap the voyage, plus a look ahead to Hacks and weekly Peacemaker coverage.

Timestamps and Topics

00:00 Welcome and why this pick still matters
00:49 First impressions today versus memory
01:09 Fast plot recap and shifting alliances
04:02 Pacing talk and a slow first act
05:08 Misdirection, the curse, and keeping motives straight
06:03 Cast praise for Depp, Bloom, and Knightley
06:21 Jack Sparrow as career defining performance
07:50 Cartoon energy inside a live action Disney world
09:17 Tone and the Disney magic without the gore
10:15 Family action adventure that still plays for all ages
10:59 Will Turner as the straight man with real growth
12:20 The peg and the dog dynamic between Will and Jack
14:04 Bootstrap Bill and a changing view of pirates
16:06 Set design, practical work, and ride callouts
17:48 Ship battles and why they still pop
23:06 CGI that aged well and where it shows seams
25:19 Budgets, timelines, and quality control for VFX
27:21 Jerry Bruckheimer’s fingerprints and franchise future
28:16 Would a non IP pirate movie hit today
30:37 What modern blockbusters can learn from this film
35:42 Romance that supports rather than drives the story
36:39 The trilogy era and that cliffhanger problem
40:19 Fun facts lightning round
47:50 Hall of Fame vote split
49:22 What is next Hacks S1E1 and weekly Peacemaker
50:16 Quick shout on Game Changer and why to watch
51:09 Outro and how to reach the show

Key Takeaways

• Jack Sparrow works because the comedy never undercuts danger and the character always dances on the edge
• Will Turner is the emotional core and the only character with clear growth in this film
• Practical effects enhanced by targeted CGI keep the world tactile and hold up better over time
• The movie balances action, comedy, and light romance without losing stakes
• Nods to the Disneyland ride help the setting feel lived in rather than digital
• Modern blockbusters could benefit from character first design and teamwork focused climaxes
• The sequel era of the mid 2000s chased cliffhangers that did not always serve casual viewers

Memorable Quotes

“Jack is our Bugs Bunny in this world.”
“The comedy never undercuts the danger.”
“Movies should just be fun and character first.”
“One person needs to be the peg and one person is the dog that runs around the peg.”
“I remember this more fondly than it played for me this time.”
“Practical effects with just enough CGI is the sweet spot.”

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Apple Podcast tags

Pirates of the Caribbean, The Curse of the Black Pearl, Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, Jerry Bruckheimer, Disney, movie review podcast, family adventure, practical effects, CGI, Disneyland ride, Peacemaker, Hacks HBO, Game Changer, Geek Freaks, Challenge Accepted Podcast