Considering the fact that Jack

Having scales under water would protects the skin and increase speed and flexibility underwater.

I think it would also help justify why they weren't as muscular as we would expect a human swimmer to be. The more fishy they are underwater, the more it justifies their slenderness above water.

Is Jack becoming more ethical from the first movie to this one?

I think he is, slightly. Even in the first movie, he didn't ever seem intent on taking human life, and did his best to avoid it (why else would he fight to keep Will alive, instead of just letting Barbossa kill him, and then letting the English blow the pirates to bits?). I think in the second film, he could justify it, because he was not killing men, he was simply subjugating them until they could determine their own way to escape. I mean, he didn't even want to kill Davy Jones, but just use the heart as a bargaining tool. It wasn't until it was absolutely necessary that he considered it. So, in one way, he does seem more ethical, but in another, I think its just making something that's been there all along more obvious.

I just saw PotC 4, and watched AWE for the first time earlier this week. Keeping in mind that it's been quite a while since I watched CBP and DMC (I've even forgotten most of DMC) I actually like On Stranger Tides best of the four. Plot-wise, Curse of the Black Pearl is better (not so many plot holes), but graphics-wise OST is really stunning. Also, I like flesh-eating mermaids better than a cursed skeleton crew. The scene where we and the crew first see them is entrancingly beautiful.

Two questions about OST:
[spoiler=Plot Hole]Why is it that for the Fountain of Youth to work you have to have the Spanish chalices and the tear of a mermaid? I would have thought that the Fountain was around long before the Spanish arrived in the New World. Stone Indian cups would be more appropriate. And how did mermaids get connected?

That's the impression I got. I think that's what they were saying. It seemed kind of odd to me because

Also, you said you like POTC1 for plot, since there's not so many plot holes. What are the plot holes in the other movies?

~Riella

Actually, Ithi, Philip is

Spoiler

praying. He begins with something like "Please, God..." and then continues on from there. That's one of the things I checked on my second viewing.

No specific ideas on the plot hole.

Which is your favorite of the movies? Oh how could I ever choose! Currently I guess it's "On Stranger Tides" although I really liked the first one a lot.

Who is your favorite character? Jack Sparrow, Philip, and Syrena.

Who is your favorite POTC actor/actress? Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom. I've seen them in other movies and liked them in them...

What do you think of the score? Like... soundtrack? I love it! Hahaha a couple years ago they played it for a gradutation XD

What, for you, was the most surprising part in the movies? There are so many surprises! Maybe the fact that they actually left poor Will and Elizabeth separated for 10 years?

Have you seen the new movie? Yesss!!! Loved it! I was very pleased with Philip because oh my gosh he's a missionary and they don't make him look stupid (as hollywood has a tendancy to do)! Actually they make him look extremely awesome and selfless and protecting. And then Angelica was a person of faith too which was refreshing. I didn't think I would like her but when I watched it I liked her a lot!! There was something about her...

Also, you said you like POTC1 for plot, since there's not so many plot holes. What are the plot holes in the other movies?

Well, I've not noticed any plot holes in PotC 2 and 3, but I like my movies a little less convoluted then those two - AWE is particularly crazy. And there are a couple items that don't make complete sense in PotC 4 (though overall it is my favorite) which leaves PotC 1 with the best plot - to my mind.

Spoiler

It made it seem like Phillip was suddenly placing his former love for God on her instead, and that he was starting to get angry and bitter that God was taking her

Yes! That's kinda the feeling I was getting. Hopefully we can view that as a momentary crisis of faith, soon repented.

Actually, Ithi, Philip is

Spoiler

praying. He begins with something like "Please, God..." and then continues on from there.

That confirms what we were thinking. What we are concerned about is that it was hardly a

But after all that, I really need to second this:

I was very pleased with Philip because oh my gosh he's a missionary and they don't make him look stupid ... Actually they make him look extremely awesome and selfless and protecting.

Exactly. It's really awful, but I think

Spoiler

I'm having a movie crush Well, some people have book crushes. Is this so much worse?

Oh my gosh Adeona I know what you mean! Me too! I feel so silly for being so easily getting movie and book crushes... I'm not that kind of girl! *Stares are her destop wallpaper of Philip and Syrena* Hehe... But I must say Philip is really a good character all around and there's a lot to him! Plus he's super likable and all that...

I don't think he replaces his love with God for Syrena... her it didn't come across to me that way although I can see how some may think that because of the way he said it. When I pray sometimes it sounds like I am comanding God to do something even though that's not how I mean it! And my faith would not be lessened if he didn't answer the way I wanted him to. Maybe it's the same with Philip?

I must say I agree with StarAsterisk. Also, think about it. When you are very stressed about something, we tend to drop the "please" and "thank you" aspect of speech. In fact, we tend to make our sentences shorter and blunter. For example, this weekend at an emergency, I suddenly found myself with three young children who were all screaming and crying because their mother was having to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. "God, give them peace" is a much easier and quicker prayer than "Lord, please quiet these children and let them understand that their mother isn't dying." I figured God knew what I meant. I think the same principle probably applies to the Philip/Syrena prayer--at least, it makes total sense in my mind.

Oh, and I figured out why the Spanish stuff was so important. Its very simple: Ponce de Leon and his crew simply changed the password after they arrived. You're supposed to do that every 600 years or so, you know.

I think you're right, Lady Arwen. I'll have to watch it again to be sure, but that makes sense with what I remember. Thanks!

I love your theory about the Spanish items. *giggle*

I loved OST!! I have seen it three times in theatres and would like to see it again

I have never seen Astrid Berges-Frisbey, the actress who played Syrena, before this movie. She is a very good actress though and she has such a cute look to her.

Lady Arwen thanks for your Spanish history knowledge

Over all I think the movie was very well done. The only thing I did not like was the last line said by Jack. Far too cheesy for me haha

Lady Arwen Very interesting note about the Spanish! I never thought of that before!

StarAsterisk I disagree a little with you on how the missionary was portrayed, but I will say that he was very noble and caring and kind.

Which is your favorite of the movies? The Curse of the Black Pearl

Who is your favorite character? Jack Sparrow, Will Turner

Who is your favorite POTC actor/actress? Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush (Did I spell his name right? )

What do you think of the score? Like... soundtrack? Very catchy.

What, for you, was the most surprising part in the movies? Ummmm...I don't know, honestly. I had the movies told to me by my older sister before I saw them, so there weren't many surprises.

Have you seen the new movie? Yes, and I did not like it, for several reasons. I'll write it all in a spoiler for those who haven't seen the movie. I don't mean to offend people who do like it, or to make a long critical review, but I'll just highlight the things I think were a bit off and generated my dislike.

On a positive not, I did like the mermaids. That was something new and innovative! And they were really, really pretty!

~Riella

I must say I quite agree with Riella. Of course, I widely enumerated upon that here, so, at the risk of repeating myself, I will simply say that I found the film to be refreshingly pro-Christian. I found that the

Wifester and I just came home from seeing OST. Wifester is a big fan of the PotC series...me? Not so much. But I did think the first one was put together the best and had the best narrative flow. As for OST, well...we both found the film to be decidedly mediocre. The whole movie has a feeling of "been here before, done this, I might even have the t-shirt". Blackbeard isn't really as menacing as his forbears (Barbossa and then the guy with the octopus face) and even Jack seemed to have sobered up some since his last adventure. I have to give credit where credit is due though...the mermaid portions were nicely done and I kind of enjoyed the little "mermance" between the Mermaid girl and the pastor. But as with the previous two movies this one kind of collapses under its own weight with really confusing plotlines and great special effects (which I suspect is to distract the viewer from the fact that the movie is kind of ho-hum). And where the previous films at least get a chuckle or two out of you with the various quips and jokes flying back and forth like broadsides, this one was kind of...unfunny, which even my wife noticed and thought was out of the ordinary. Wifester is a fan of PotC...so she'll get this one for her collection, which I'm fine with. But I doubt I'll watch it again. If you're a die hard fan of the first three I suspect you'll probably like this one too. PotC is quickly becoming like the Star Wars prequels to me...lots of flash, a few catchy lines, a special effects extravaganza, Johnny Depp playing an admittedly fun character, and little to no substantive value. Perhaps a bit harsh, but I just dumped $25 on a film I almost fell asleep during. I found Costner's Waterworld to be more endearing and better paced.