Rated PG-13

Directed by Gore Verbinski

Written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio

Starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Naomie Harris

Argh, shiver me timbers, matie! There be a new picture show on the horizon! It’s from that motley crew that brought us the first “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie. “The Curse of the Black Pearl” was just the first installment of what has become Disney’s latest franchise. The best thing about this movie is that the director stayed in familiar waters. Gore Verbinski ( “The Weatherman”, “The Ring”, “Mouse Hunt” and of course, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl”) has gathered together the same writers, Ted Elliott (“The Puppet Masters”, “Small Soldiers”, “Godzilla”) and Terry Rossio (“The Mask of Zorro”, “Small Soldiers”, “Treasure Planet”) to put together a script that’s as good as the first. It has as many twists and turns as Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

Our original cast is back with the addition of a few new characters and a big surprise. Bill Nighy (“Love Actually”, “Underworld Evolution”, “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”) plays Davey Jones, who wants to collect a debt owed to him by Jack Sparrow, played to foppish perfection by Johnny Depp (“Edward Scissorhands”, “Ed Wood”, “Sleepy Hollow). Orlando Bloom( “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Ned Kelly”, “Black Hawk Down”) is back as the reluctant brigand, Will Turner. The beautiful Keira Knightley (“Love Actually”, “Bend It Like Beckham”, “The Hole”) returns as the conflicted Elizabeth. Naomie Harris (“The Tomorrow People”, “28 Days Later”, “White Teeth”) plays Tia Dalma, a witch who helps the crew.

Just remember this is based on a thrill ride, so there are lots of thrills and action; more than two hours of it for you action junkies. Yes, it’s mindless fun, but isn’t that what you want?