The story picks up right where the other one left off (well not right where it left off, there is a bit that happens in between the two films, but it's easy to follow). Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley), and the no-longer-dead Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) are heading an expedition into the otherworldly seas of Davy Jones' Locker to bring back the presently-dead Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp).

Meanwhile, the East India Company has strong-armed Davy Jones (the semi-immortal captain of the Flying Dutchman) into joining them in their quest to rid the world of pirates. Davy Jones (Bill Nightly) is forced to play along...for now.

In response to this, Barbosa plans to join together the nine pirate lords (which include Jack Sparrow, Barbosa himself, and Sao Feng - played by Chow Yung Fat...Keith Richards also makes an appearance), and mount a final stand against the East India Company that wants to drive them to extinction. But a plan like that is not easily carried out, especially with so many hidden agendas lurking under the woodwork...

The story is more dramatic, more epic, and more action-packed than the two previous movies, but also delivers a marvelous amount of comedy (the fight scenes are packed with particularly hilarious moments). The blend of action, epic adventure, and comedy is absolutely perfect. I was on the edge of my seat and/or laughing the entire time.

The storyline is complicated (in a good way), and is riddled with unpredictable plot twists. When all is said and done, it is fairly easy to follow. I went to see the movie with my buddy Tony (amongst others), and Tony (who has never seen Pirates 1 or 2) needed very little explained to him (and, mind you, I told him basically nothing beforehand...even though I knew he had not seen either of the other ones...kind of rude of me, actually). He understood all that was going on well enough, and was laughing just as hard as I was at all the hilarious moments.

Everyone does an excellent job, and plays their roles perfectly.

Johnny Depp is as hilarious and over-the-top (in a very good way) as ever as Captain Jack Sparrow; a crazy and/or brilliant pirate lord who was sent Davy Jones' Locker, thanks to Davy Jones' kraken beast, and Elizabeth's (Knightley). The never-ending rivalry between Jack and Barbossa (Geoffery Rush) is also quite amusing. The unsteady truce between them is further complemented as various ulterior motives begin to be revealed.

Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) have excellent chemistry as two characters in love, and their desire to be together is moving (particularly towards the end). Additionally, Elizabeth's guilt over helping kill Jack in the previous movie, and Will's need to balance his promise to save his father with his promise to devote himself to Elizabeth are very well expressed.

Chow Yung Fat also does an excellent job as Seo Feng; the pirate lord of Singapore. Kieth Richards also makes a brief, but memorable appearance. His character is more serious and intense than most of the others, and he portrays that very nicely.

And last, but not least, the reoccurring characters - Gibbs, the two pirates (one of whom has that fake eye), Jack the undead monkey, and Cotton's parrot - all contribute nicely to the movie, and are a fine source of comedy.

A massive portion of the story's intrigue is created out of the hidden agendas that many of the characters have (the unsteady relationship between Barbossa and Jack is particularly hilarious). All of the characters have very complex relationships with one another (heck, only three and a half of them can even agree on a reason to rescue Jack). I can't go into to too much detail without risking spoilers, but believe me when I say that the countless ulterior motives and hidden agendas lurking beneath the surface contribute massively to the plot's intrigue and unpredictability.

So yeah. All the characters are great. It's everything you'd expect from such an incredible cast, and more.

Through the roof.

The fight scenes are awesome, the music and visuals are awesome, the characters are awesome, the ending is good, and the there is plenty of comedy. Definitely worth seeing more than once.

Heck, my dad and I are still quoting some of Jack's one-liners. Next time I see the movie, I may have to write some of those down.

The scenery is beautiful as always. Makes me want to go and visit the Caribbean.

All of the visuals are stunning, from the realistic Caribbean scenery Jack and the other sail through, to the more surreal places like Davy Jones' Locker and Shipwreck Cove, right down to Davy Jones' squid/beard/thing.

The music is excellent. I've always been a big fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song (the aptly named "Jack Sparrow" track). I'm glad they kept that around.

The intense musical score complements the drama and fight scenes quite nicely, and the main theme song conveys the excite, epic, and more lighthearted moments quite brilliantly. Also, I love how they worked that "yo-ho yo-ho" song in there. That was a nice touch.