Two things to keep in mind before seeing “Pirates of the Caribbean [ICQL="Inverse Cost and Quality Law"]:
(ICQL(a)) The more lavish and spectacular a movie’s special effects, the shittier that movie is going to be in all non-F/X respects. For obvious supporting examples of ICQL (a), see lines 1-2 of this article and/or also “Jurassic Park,” “Independent Day,” “Forrest Gump,” etc.(ICQL (b)) There is no quicker or more efficient way to kill what is interesting and original about an interesting, original young director than to give that director a huge budget and lavish F/X resources. The number of supporting examples of ICQL (b) is sobering. Have a look, e.g., at the difference between Rodriguez’s “El Mariachi” and his “From Dusk to Dawn,” between DeBont’s “Speed” and “Twister,” between Gilliam’s “Brazil” and “Twelve Monkeys,” between Bigelow’s “Near Dark” and “Strange Days.” Or chart Cameron’s industry rise and artistic decline from “T1″ and “Aliens” through “T2″ and “The Abyss” to — dear Lord — “True Lies.” U.S. entertainment media report that Cameron’s new “Titanic,” currently in American release, is (once again) the most expensive and technically ambitious film of all time. Doubtless, Britons have been pricing trenchcoats and lubricants in anticipation of its arrival in the UK.
From the DFW article “F/X PORN“.