--- title: "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-mans-chest/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-mans-chest" critics_score: 56 critics_reviews: 19 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006): what the critics said Critics' score 56 from 19 reviews: 5 positive, 9 mixed, 5 negative. Most critics find Dead Man’s Chest a mixed affair: bigger and more spectacular than the first film, but less fun. Where they agree is on what works. Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow is named repeatedly as the reason to keep watching, and Bill Nighy’s Davy Jones, with his barnacled crew and the Kraken attacks, is widely held up as the effects triumph. The set-pieces, the Caribbean locations and the production design draw steady praise even from reviews that dislike the film. The reservations cluster on the script. Almost every review calls the plot convoluted and the running time excessive, with too many subplots carried over from the first film and too little room to breathe; several find Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley pale beside Depp. The spread is wide. The Times, unusually, tires of Depp himself. And two later retrospective pieces, from Polygon and Paste, defend the film as ambitious and macabre, rating it far above the original notices. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Doug Pratt Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 11 January 2007. The film is rollickingly entertaining with a mix of playful horror, high character humor and exhilarating action that extends the first film's fun and thrills. Verbinski directs a conscientious effort featuring witty stunts, elaborate effects, and strong performances from the leads. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/pirates-caribbean-dead-mans-chest-158412/) ## The Guardian — Steve Rose Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 30 June 2006. The sequel recaptures some of the first film's high-seas high spirits despite a tortuously convoluted plot that takes time to get going. It singles out the special effects triumph of Bill Nighy's Davy Jones and his aquatic crew as the standout element, comparing the franchise's world-building to a backdated Star Wars. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2006/jun/30/2) ## The New York Times — A. O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 7 July 2006. The film delivers spirited swashbuckling and strong CGI set pieces but feels like franchise product that requires prior knowledge of the first film and runs too long. The critic singles out the inventive action sequences and Johnny Depp's anarchic performance for praise while noting the obligations of sequel viewing. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/07/movies/pirates-of-the-caribbean-eat-my-jetsam-davy-jones.html) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Rating C+. 5 July 2006. The sequel is overburdened by dense exposition and subplots from the first film, leaving little room for fun of its own. It comes to life mainly through Depp's slapstick and antics but is dragged down by the bland leads and the sense that the filmmakers are overreaching. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-mans-chest-1798201843) ## Empire — Dan Jolin Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). The film is convoluted and too long due to unnecessary plot contortions and sub-stories that leave the audience struggling to keep up. It is redeemed by Johnny Depp's joyful performance as Jack Sparrow and some inventive, cartoonish action set-pieces. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/pirates-caribbean-dead-man-chest-review/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 3 July 2006. The sequel is bigger, longer and more spectacular than its predecessor but less breezily entertaining, with over-orchestrated action and forced comedy that extends the running time. The Caribbean locations, effects sequences, scary Davy Jones and his crew, and Kraken attacks stand out positively. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-mans-chest/4027867.article) ## Los Angeles Times — Carina Chocano Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 5 July 2006. The sequel is intermittently fun and high-spirited but sags under its running time and bloated plotting with too many characters and storylines. The critic singles out the welcome addition of Norrington's character arc and the need for more of Jack Sparrow's charm. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jul-05-et-pirates5-story.html) ## Time Out — Ben Walters Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 4 July 2006. The film delivers adrenalised spectacle and some wit but feels repetitive and drags over two and a half hours, with a screenplay unconcerned with internal cohesion and too many muddily motivated set-pieces. Depp remains great fun and Nighy gives good sneer, but Bloom and Knightley fare less well. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-mans-chest-1) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 29 June 2006. The sequel doubles down on familiar elements without adding novelty or thematic depth, resulting in an awkwardly constructed ride that lacks inspired gusto. It reaps modest rewards from rambunctious action sequences and Depp's idiosyncratic performance but is weighed down by duplicative plotting and weak romantic tension. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-mans-chest/) ## Evening Standard — Derek Malcolm Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The sequel is far too long with an indecipherable, twisting plot that goes on and on. It is saved by its stunning visuals, strong production design, cinematography, costumes and Johnny Depp's entertaining reprise of Captain Jack Sparrow. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/yohotoo-long-7387517.html) ## The Times — Cosmo Landesman Rating 2/5. 9 July 2006. The film is let down by a convoluted, repetitive screenplay and tiresome mannerisms in Depp's performance, which turns into panto-style slapstick. It praises some set pieces and the opening but finds the length kills the fun. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/trouble-in-paradise-mhw23rmp5pr) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 17 July 2006. The convoluted plot is dark, salty, and indigestible, with too many subplots and a runtime that is far too long. The critic singles out Johnny Depp and Bill Nighy for making the film swerve away from summer movie errors through their performances and the joy of irresponsibility. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/07/24/men-at-sea) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 3 July 2006. The film shows bloat and aimlessness as a protracted sequel, feeling like a slot machine that takes money without giving much back. The critic singles out the sumptuous production values and beautiful actors while noting it stirs neither emotions nor the mind. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2006/film/awards/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-man-s-chest-2-1200514999/) ## Polygon — Karen Han Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 6 August 2020. The critic hails Dead Man's Chest and At World's End as sprawling masterpieces, praising Verbinski's visual and thematic ambitions, grotesque grandeur, and innovative set pieces. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/6/21348342/pirates-of-the-caribbean-2-3-dead-mans-chest-at-worlds-end-reviews-gore-verbinski/) ## Paste — Jim Vorel Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 26 August 2024. The critic argues that Dead Man's Chest is a more ambitious, mature, and macabre film than the first, praising its gothic horror tone, expansive imagination, and the introduction of Davy Jones as a standout digital character. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/pirates-of-the-caribbean/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-mans-chest-underrated-retrospective-anniversary-davy-jones) ## The Skinny — Amanda Turnbull Rating ★★★. 14 August 2006. The critic finds the sequel visually dazzling thanks to CGI but ultimately hollow, with performances taking a back seat to effects and set pieces. It is deemed almost worthy but awaits the third film for a final verdict. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-mans-chest) ## Digital Spy — Daniel Saney Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 5 July 2006. The film is busy and effects-driven with spectacular visuals like the kraken and Flying Dutchman, but feels like an incomplete middle chapter lacking the originality and tighter story of the first. It is watchable with patience but ultimately disappointing in comparison. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a34604/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-mans-chest/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 7 July 2006. The critic finds the sequel silly, overlong and bogged down in incomprehensible plotting, but notes that the extravagant set pieces and stunts keep it watchable. Bill Nighy's Davy Jones is singled out as a memorable, piratical creation worth relishing. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/search/title/Dead%20Man's%20Chest) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 25 September 2008. This sequel got it wrong for the reviewer with its bloated length and failure to match the original's magic, despite strong effects and some exciting set pieces. It sidelines supporting characters and generates far less entertainment overall. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/pirates-of-the-caribbean-trilogy-blu-ray-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-mans-chest.md