We are very amused.

Among Singaporeans at least, the tagline for Pirates of the Carribean: At World’s End is undoubtedly “Welcome to Singapore”. I suppose it’s kind of nice because it puts Singapore yet again on the world map, but I fear this movie is only going to reinforce the misconception among some Westerners that Singapore is a republic of China.

Anyway, I don’t want to make the usual “OMG it’s such a wonderful show don’t miss it or you’re a goondu” kind of comments because everyone I know is already hyped up about it, anyway.

But I do have a few random other-thoughts.

1. The first five minutes of the film made me cry because the soundtrack, cinematography and editing are that powerful. That alone is worth the price of Singapore’s exhorbitant movie tickets and popcorn. Moments like that make me want to make my own film because I want to affect audiences the same way.
2. Everyone already knows part of the movie is set in early Singapore. When the film went there (you’ll know when you see red lanterns and Chinese junks), I was very disturbed. The film’s Singapore didn’t fit any image I ever had of Singapore. Perhaps because it appears too glamorous. I tried to remember my secondary school history lessons but still had a hard time reconciling the film with my vision of early Singapore. I thought it looked more like Hong Kong or China.

   

3. Chow Yun Fat’s “Welcome to Singapore” was greeted with a small smattering of twitters and giggles and a few hearty laughs. Honestly, I kept hoping that he wouldn’t say it and that the trailers we’ve been watching were all fake. When he did say it, I rolled my eyes to myself in the dark.
4. I hate to say this of one of the most respected veteran actors in all of history, but I think big brother Chow kind of overracted in this film. I mean, Pirates is a quite a fantastical film and most of the acting is over the top, but I think Zhou da ge went just a bit over and above the top, especially with the facial twitches.

   

   I say that because if anyone had done something like that in all the acting class I’ve attended over the past year, my teachers would have pounced on him mercilessly and asked him to stop acting (I mean not stop as in quit forever, but stop “acting” and be natural).

   But I have also learnt through personal experience that, most of the time, when you think an actor is bad, it’s not always his fault. Sometimes the director wants him to act a certain way. Just to let you know.

5. There were so many twists and double-crossings in the three-hour film that my mind reeled. Didn’t help that I’ve forgotten most of what happened in part 1 and 2. But I still think the script is very, very clever and the dialogue is very, very witty. This is one of those movies that gets better with every sequel.
6. Johnny Depp is god among all actors. He is so good that my awe-struck mind has yet to recover enough to provide me with apt words to describe just how good I think he is. I am totally, wretchedly, not worthy.



7. Orlando Bloom sends my heart all aflutter.



8. Four of the six people in my movie outing group fell asleep at various times during the film. What the fuck is wrong with them?!!
9. I didn’t want the film to ever end. I hope there’s a fourth.

You know, I’ve never reviewed a movie in my blog. The reason being I hate doing it. I used to get paid for it so writing reviews is work. Well, this isn’t exactly a review, just random thoughts, so it’s a different. But, you know, I try not to talk about movies in my blog.

So I don’t know why I wrote this. I wasn’t planning to. I wasn’t even planning to blog because I have many pages of script to learn and a looming writing assignment deadline.

But here it is. You never know who’s controlling the mind and body you think you own.