Second Time Around

Last night I took the time to re-watch Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. When I had initially seen the film a year ago, I left the film slightly let down. I had loved the original, seeing it multiple times in the theater. This second chapter seemed to lack the spark of excitement from the first adventure, and was merely a showcase for several huge action set pieces.

But a second time around gave me the chance to focus on many subtle aspects the filmmakers put into this film. It is so jam-packed and rollicking that they are easy to miss when you first watch. Much like the original, clues about the mystery are given non-verbally and through the actors' reactions to events/dialogue. A shifted gaze, or slight furrowing of the brow shows so much.

Art (which film is supposed to be) requires multiple interactions with the piece to foster introspection and contemplation. Great art allows one to find new details and learn more with each interaction. While I am not saying that Pirates is high art or anything, I do want to recognize and applaud the filmmakers. Gore Verbinski and his crew have created a deep, twisting experience with these films; a product that rewards rewatching and rethinking. From its unique and rough visual style, to its (sometimes) nuanced acting.

The details don't matter for this post, because what all this got me thinking about was the nature of the film industry in our nation. Time was you could count on a movie playing for at least a month, if not several. Now, anything less than blockbuster is immediately gone after just a week or two. Sad, because we miss the chance to explore deeper by watching and rewatching some great artistic work.