For context, here are my quick thoughts on all of the Pirates Of The Caribbean films: The Curse Of The Black Pearl is fantastic fun. Dead Man’s Chest is even better and one of the best sequels ever. At World’s End is ambitious and has cool moments, but is not nearly as grand or fun as the first two. On Stranger Tides is wretched in every imaginable way. Dead Men Tell No Tales should have started at the 40-minute mark, but is good overall. All that is so that everyone understands where I am coming from when discussing the fan film Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Immortal Sword, written, directed, and produced by and starring Odin Aaron Graniela.
The prequel starts on an island where two pirates are being chased by undead beings. The supernatural creatures’ leader, Black Ceaser (Daivion Randall), kills one of them, tying the pirate’s soul to the sword. In this way, Black Ceaser can command the scallywag spirits. Unfortunately, he and they are trapped on the island. At the same time, Jack Sparrow (Odin Aaron Graniela) comes to port, causing a stir with the ladies. Sadly, the good times aren’t meant to last, as Jack uses his cunning to cross Captain Monterrey (Keith Carson) and Captain Scar (Scott Erkelens), so he can get a ship and find the fabled immortal sword.
Tia Dama grins with blackened teeth and painted face markings in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Immortal Sword.
“…the pirates set forth on an adventure more dangerous than any of them could have imagined.”
This plan is complicated by Fitz (Joe Bagi), a pirate with shifting loyalties, and Skivvy (Christopher Montijo), a pirate with ties to the island. Adding another wrinkle to Jack’s best-laid plans is the reappearance of Angelica (Hillary Graniela), his former love whom he hasn’t seen in many years. However, once the gang has access to a ship and important information about the sword’s power from Tia Dama (Marasha Symone Johnson), the pirates set forth on an adventure more dangerous than any of them could have imagined.
Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Immortal Sword was produced with a budget of zero dollars. It is also being distributed freely and was created solely for the love of these characters and the franchise. To that end, the most impressive thing about the film is how much it feels like a proper entry. It runs a hefty 2 hours and 40 minutes, making it the second-longest, behind only the third one. The lore behind the sword is well-thought-out and makes sense (or at least as much sense as all the other supernatural stuff in the franchise). Jack Sparrow’s reasoning for wanting the sword fits well with the established character. His backstory, which is very important to why all of this is happening, is fascinating and would fit in with the official canon. The new characters, Angie especially, are a lot of fun. Further cementing this production as feeling close to the real thing is the appearance of Martin Klebba, who portrayed Marty in all the films but one. It is not much more than a cameo, but it is cool to see him return even for a second.
The acting runs the gamut, but the important folks are great. Odin Aaron Graniela doesn’t get the voice exactly right, but he has the right look and is also very charming as Captain Jack Sparrow. But it is in the way he moves that really sells him as the same person Johnny Depp so famously portrayed. Hillary Graniela is sassy and holds her own during the copious sword fights nicely. Johnson is so fantastic as Tia Dama that when she’s first introduced, it took me a moment to realize it wasn’t Naomie Harris. Randall is fantastic as the big bad, coming across as threatening and mad with power. Unfortunately, Bagi is meh, as he never seems to be fully in the period. Maybe it is his delivery or something, but he just feels too modern. Still, he does not embarrass himself and is quite good with the comedy elements.
"…feels like a proper entry."
