Rating of
3/4
Cutthroat Island was so close to being POTC....
Indyfreak - wrote on 01/24/15
One of Hollywood's absolutely biggest box office bombs is actually not that bad of a film. Director Renny Harlin was tasked with making a $100 million pirate movie WITHOUT cgi skeletons, fish-mutants, cannibals, or Keith Richards cameos and that is exactly what you get. Geena Davis is solid as the protagonist Morgan Adams, a 17th century pirate queen who in a race against her dastardly uncle Dog (yea that's his name) played by Frank Langella. She is aided by her faithful crew and a handsome thief named William Shaw (Matthew Modine). Swordfights, sea battles, treachery, chases, and a small dash of romance ensue.
There are some things that you have to accept about Cutthroat Island and the first is that anytime a film is actually titled Cutthroat Island, chances are it isn't going to be very deep or thoughtful. But its lack of pretension is somewhat charming and there is no denying its spirited enthusiasm for the swashbuckling heroics;all of which is extremely impressive in this day of green-screens and computer effects.
One thing that is by all standards a miracle of creativity is the soundtrack. It is probably one of the best ever for not just pirate movies but perhaps even film in general. Don't believe me? Listen for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0gEOCJX7D4. Isn't that amazing?!? It makes the movie even better in my opinion.
