Cleveronix A different way of telling a story

ThedevilChoose When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Derrick Gibbons An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

jwiley-86292 As a longtime Gilbert and Sullivan fan, this movie should have been agonizing to sit through. I learned of it through someone else's review of it and then decided to watch the thing from start to finish. And I couldn't believe it: I was being entertained. Barring the obligatory pop-culture references and horse manure joke, the movie has a sense of humor that speaks to me in a way few other movies do. For example, I don't care what anyone else thinks, the song "Pumpin' and Blowin'" is one of the funniest things ever.Even though I cherish the original Pirates of Penzance, I liked the added songs with the exception of Frederic's solo, and that was more dull than unbearable. I was also pleasantly surprised with all the dialogue from the original they kept in. I admit the movie drags in parts (mainly in the section right after "Pumpin',") but Kristy McNichol's lively performance holds it together more than anything else. She feels real, for lack of a better word, and has a great deal more agency and delight in her own existence than many film heroines then or now. One of my favorite scenes is where she tries to seduce the Pirate King, if only for the reason that I can't believe it was made. I really can't decide whether The Pirate Movie should be called So Bad, It's Good or just plain good.

SnoopyStyle Mabel Stanley (Kristy McNichol) is a homely shy teenage girl who comes with her outgoing friends to a pirate festival. The bare chested swordplay instructor (Christopher Atkins) invites her on a boat ride. The girls take him and the boat out leaving Mabel behind. She tries to catch up in a small sailboat and falls into the sea. She's washed up on a beach dreaming an old timey pirate fantasy. Frederic (Atkins) is the young apprentice of the Pirate King (Ted Hamilton) but he refuses to join them on his 21st birthday. Pirates had killed his parents and vows to exterminate all pirates. They send him off on a row boat. Mabel is the youngest daughter of Major-General Stanley (Bill Kerr) and by custom must be the last to marry.It definitely is high on the cheesy camp factor. It's fun and delightful if you're in the mood. Who isn't in love with McNichol back then? And Atkins is fully in his hunky beachy curly hair. It is self-aware and a fun broad spoof. If you're a Gilbert and Sullivan purist, this is going to grate on your nerves. How dare they spoof such an institution as 'The Pirates of Penzance'. I say why not. Pumpin' And Blowin' gets the Razzie for the Worst Original Song. It tells me people either get the joke or hate the joke because the song itself isn't bad. It's just ridiculous which makes this movie an easy target.

Marcwolf-2 One of the wonderful things about G&S is that their operetta's were written for the common person. They were short, had simple plots with twists, catchy tunes, and could easily be adapted for whatever time period they were performed in.The Pirate Movie is a wonderful example of this where the timeless 'Pirates of Penzance' had been introduced into the 80's with style. Having seen both the Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinnifore, and the Mikado several times it is great how the songs and speeches can have little modernizations introduced to them yet still keep the plot true.G&S was never never serious - not is meant to be taken seriously (not like Wagner's Ring) and the cast of The Pirate Movie has taken that to heart.This is a movie for everyone. Witty comments that can have many meanings, old and new songs, great characterizations, and lot's of nods to other classics.If you are looking for something deep and meaningful then this movie is not for you. If you looking for a few hours of light hearted fun, music, swordplay then this is something to grab and cherish for a few viewings. Believe me you will need a few viewings to catch all if the little gems hidden in it.Enjoy..

bkoganbing For Christopher Atkins The Pirate Movie was a followup to the big hit he scored in The Blue Lagoon. Since his public expected him to look as much as he did in The Blue Lagoon, Atkins spent a lot of time without too many clothes on. And he had his hair curled once again for The Pirate Movie. He never had curls like that naturally, but it was done for The Blue Lagoon and had to be done here as well. Just like Mario Lopez had it done that way on Saved By The Bell.The great sex symbol of the early Eighties was teamed with Kristy McNichol who had a following of her own with the television series, Family. The Pirate Movie is a modern version of The Pirates Of Penzance with some contemporary music added to the score of Gilbert&Sullivan.Of course Gilbert&Sullivan purists will be horrified, but actually if The Pirate Movie inspires some kid to check out classics like the original Pirates Of Penzance, than the making of The Pirate Movie will serve its purpose. In this film you'll get to hear some modern music together with such classics as the Model Of A Modern Major General.The film was shot in Australia and it sports an Aussie supporting cast behind the leads of Atkins and McNichol. I have to say this is one of the few films you'll ever see where the male lead is prettier than the female one. That was Christopher Atkins's problem the rest of his career.