Pirates have been a profession with an incredibly long history, ever since humans learned to build ships and began conducting trade across the seas. Wherever there are goods being transported, there will be those looking to rob them thus, pirates emerged.
The earliest recorded acts of piracy can be traced back to the 8th century BC in the Homeric Epics. However, the ancient Greeks didn't particularly hate pirates. Heroes such as Achilles and Odysseus, who are widely celebrated, also engaged in piracy.
Perhaps because of this, theft and robbery on land were widely condemned, but when done at sea, they were met with relatively more lenient moral judgment.
Pirates are associated with bloodshed and lawlessness, but they've also frequently been symbols of freedom, bravery, and passion.
Take, for example, the hot-blooded Japanese manga One Piece. In real life, becoming a pirate would likely lead to being hunted down.
But if you were to declare in front of the One Piece anime, "I'm the man who will become Pirate King…"
Most people wouldn't react too strongly. At most, they'd think you've watched too much anime and are suffering from a bit of chūnibyō.
The reason for this ingrained impression likely stems from the fact that the ocean doesn't have clearly defined territorial boundaries, and it embodies a more thorough jungle law.
Additionally, early pirates did possess a strong sense of adventure and exploration. During the Age of Discovery, many so-called navigators were, in fact, more aptly described as pirates.
And without them, the Age of Geographic Discovery might not have arrived as early as it did.
Another crucial factor: in the 16th and 17th centuries, pirates often had the backing of national political powers.
Especially the British, who in the Age of Discovery issued privateering licenses, authorizing pirates to rob in the name of the Crown and then split the spoils.
The famous Captain Drake was even knighted by the British Royal Family for his exceptional plundering skills, and he received his own fief.
This title was more valuable than Gilbert's. At least Drake had land to his name.
And what about Gilbert? Other than chatting with the Queen a bit, he merely pilfered a few antiques from the Royal Treasury.
In Hollywood's history, there weren't many pure pirate-themed films, and most were box office flops.
Also, if such films were shot strictly according to historical accuracy, they'd probably be a bit dull.
Because several pirate films flopped in the '80s and '90s, production companies were hesitant to touch the genre.
Thus, this Pirates of the Caribbean film integrated elements of horror, adventure, fantasy, and comedy. In Gilbert's previous life, this direction proved highly successful.
Avril Lavigne took her seat. This wasn't her first time attending a movie premiere.
She had participated in the premiere of Flipped at the end of last year and had even performed the movie's theme song.
Today's premiere seemed livelier than that one, likely because summer movie season was approaching.
Soon, the large theater was packed. Avril Lavigne just so happened to be seated next to Emma Watson. She recognized her this was little Hermione.
Avril Lavigne smiled and said to Emma Watson, "You're Hermione, right? Let's take a photo together later, okay?"
Normally, Emma Watson wouldn't refuse. Clearly, the beautiful girl in front of her was a fan.
But when Emma Watson looked at the pretty Avril Lavigne, a surge of anger welled up inside her. She snapped, "I'm not taking a photo with you, hmph!"
"Uh!" Avril Lavigne scratched her head, puzzled as to what was wrong with the girl next to her. Did she do something to offend her?
Before she had time to figure it out, the second segment of the movie premiere began. The previously noisy theater immediately fell silent, and all eyes turned to the giant screen.
Pirates of the Caribbean wasn't part of the Lord of the Rings series, but as long as the director's name was Gilbert, the film was guaranteed to be the most anticipated summer blockbuster.
"It's starting, it's starting…" Noel, sitting in the back, rubbed his hands excitedly. He had been a fan of Gilbert's since the Lord of the Rings series.
Although the Lord of the Rings story had ended, life had to go on, and movies still needed to be watched.
Noel had seen several trailers for Pirates of the Caribbean and had developed great interest in the film. He even pulled some strings to get premiere tickets.
His companion, Hutchinson, was in the same boat. He even said, "Ever since I was a kid, I've dreamed of becoming a pirate or searching for pirate treasure.
Thanks to Gilbert, I get to live that dream."
"Shh! Stop dreaming, the movie's starting…" Noel interrupted Hutchinson's fantasy.
The film began. After the familiar opening credits rolled, the story quickly kicked in.
It began with a girl named Elizabeth Swann, portrayed by Emma Roberts.
Seeing Emma Roberts on screen, Emma Watson became visibly upset. They shared the same name—Emma—so why was she the one in a Gilbert-directed movie?
Why? Obviously because Julia Roberts pulled some strings. It was a minor role, so of course Gilbert gave Julia Roberts the favor.
Watching herself appear on the big screen, Emma Roberts felt a bit amazed. It was truly magical.
During filming, she had acted in a studio built with set pieces, surrounded entirely by green screens. But now, in the finished movie, the effects were incredibly realistic.
Emma Roberts clapped her hands excitedly. "Wow, I look so pretty on screen!"
Julia Roberts was speechless. She didn't expect her niece to be so full of herself.
The story continued. Elizabeth Swann, though the daughter of a governor, had long yearned for a pirate's life. As a child, while sailing with her father, she sang pirate songs at the bow of the ship.
Then she discovered a young Will Turner and saved him, also noticing a pirate coin hanging from his chest.
Elizabeth Swann immediately decided to keep the coin to prevent anyone from finding it.
Time skipped eight years ahead. The pirate coin now hung around Elizabeth's neck. Her father, the governor, wanted to marry her off to a navy commodore. He thought this Commodore Norrington was an ideal son-in-law.
But Elizabeth strongly opposed the engagement—especially after putting on London's most fashionable corset, she became even more reluctant to marry Norrington.
Looking at the outfit in the film, Avril Lavigne thought it looked fun, but if she had to wear that herself, she'd rather die.
Jeans were much better. Wearing that kind of outfit was pure torture.
As she pondered this, Avril Lavigne glanced at Emma Watson beside her and thought: this girl probably looks better in that dress than she does in a wizard's robe...
The Will Turner rescued eight years ago was now a blacksmith.
When Orlando Bloom's portrayal of Will Turner appeared, a clearly audible sound of people swallowing could be heard in the cinema.
It must have been Orlando Bloom's female fans, drooling over his body again.
Will Turner had brought over a sword he forged himself. He clearly had feelings for Elizabeth Swann, but the gap in their social status was too big.
After a brief opening, accompanied by a majestic and stirring BGM, that chaotic yet calm, masculine with a hint of feminine, shipwreck-surviving, wave-defying Captain Jack Sparrow made his entrance.
Say what you will, Johnny Depp's portrayal of the flamboyant Captain Jack Sparrow truly stunned all the guests and fans at the premiere.
Johnny Depp's previous film roles also featured many eccentric looks.
When this man in smoky eye makeup walked gracefully across the deck like a cat, a unique charm radiated from him.
No one could explain why, but Jack Sparrow just felt cool and dashing.
Avril Lavigne stared at the big screen, at Jack Sparrow in his smoky makeup, and was stunned for a long while. This look aside from not being as pretty as her was basically the same.
She glanced in the direction where Director Gilbert was sitting and silently mused: Could it be that Director Gilbert really has a thing for smoky makeup? No wonder Miss Boone told her to show off her most beautiful side.
Avril Lavigne felt that her most beautiful look was when she wore smoky makeup, so that's how she dressed.
She didn't expect Miss Boone to understand Director Gilbert's preferences so well no wonder she's Hollywood's top agent.
One had to admit, rock girls have pretty vivid imaginations.
In fact, Jack Sparrow's look was indeed inspired by the Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards. Back when Gilbert and the stylist discussed it, all they had was a rough concept.
The stylist found their reference image and designed Jack Sparrow's entire look based on Keith Richards.
As Avril Lavigne was still lost in her imagination, the movie continued.
Jack Sparrow's goal this time was to get a ship and continue his pirate adventures. But obviously, the royal soldiers at the dock wouldn't let him, so Jack Sparrow got into a tussle with them.
Meanwhile, after Commodore Norrington's promotion ceremony ended, he took Elizabeth to the top of the castle wall to look at the sea.
Just as Norrington was speaking romantic words, he turned and saw Elizabeth jumping into the sea. He was baffled was his confession really that bad? Did Elizabeth choose to kill herself over hearing it?
In reality, it was the corset. Elizabeth was suffocating and accidentally fell into the water.
This scene was witnessed by Jack Sparrow, who immediately went to rescue her and discovered the pirate coin on her chest.
When he returned to shore, the royal soldiers from both the dock and the castle had rushed over. Commodore Norrington also spotted Jack Sparrow's pirate brand.
Thus began an entertaining chase scene Jack Sparrow dodging bullets he somehow never gets hit by, racing all the way to Will Turner's blacksmith shop.
There, he happened to run into Will Turner, and the two crossed swords.
The action scenes in Pirates of the Caribbean weren't your traditional fight sequences. They didn't go for raw brutality, instead leaning heavily into a circus-like playfulness, often using props and set pieces.
In fact, the action choreography was done by Jackie Chan's stunt team, which is why the film carried such a distinct Jackie Chan movie style.
This set the tone for the rest of the film. Gilbert hoped that as audiences followed Jack Sparrow's adventure, they'd feel relaxed and entertained.
Most pirate movies in the past highlighted the bloody nature of piracy too scary and not commercial enough.
While that may reflect the true nature of pirates, it simply doesn't work for a commercial film.
So many commercial elements were added, including comedic and humorous segments. Incorporating Jackie Chan-style action comedy was a brilliant idea.
Judging by the reaction at the premiere, the effect was great at least during the fight scene between Jack Sparrow and Will Turner, the audience burst out laughing multiple times.
But for the movie, this was just the beginning.
...
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