veronica_rich | quick and dirty AWE thoughts

I liked AWE.

Yes, that's an incredible statement. No, I haven't had anything to drink this morning, thanks.

It's the "Back to the Future Syndrome" as my sister calls it: First movie good, second movie horrifyingly WTF?, third movie redeems ... somewhat.

THE BAD

Norrington dies. Norrington dies in a SUCKY way. We wanted to throw things at the screen. WTF, T&T?? (Although, I did like his answer to Jones as he lay dying - I just wish it had been aimed at Beckett instead.) I wanted him to escape. Or something. I can only hope Will finds him and either brings him back or gives him an escort fitting to his character.

It drags a bit in some parts. Yes, I appreciate plotting and intricacies, but there's a LOT of exposition to this thing. And still, there are some crucial things not explained; you'll see what I mean, come back and talk to me about it.

THE GOOD

Jack. Jack, you're back. I missed you, mate. Lordy, how I missed you and your wonderfully dualistic scoundrel vs. good man nature. I knew it was possible for you to be both - I saw it when we first met. (But I still wouldn't trust you with my purse.)

Elizabeth. THIS is the woman I remember. THIS is the logical continuation of the girl in CotBP. I thought I would hate you for getting all the attention in AWE, based on spoilers. I was wrong - it was done with some logic (the whole Calypso-mistaken thing), and I feel like you actually learned from your mistakes, suffered some guilt, and grew up in this movie. Mon Dieu, dare I say I actually like you again? And no, I don't think it's OOC for you to marry Will and stay faithful to him for ten years. You've been after him the entire time - I don't understand why some people didn't see that. I don't understand how I lost my way in DMC thinking otherwise for even a moment. Yes, Jack is a tempting little pastry, but he's not a "forever" kind of guy - and let's face it, he wouldn't treat you nearly as well as you'd like.

Davy. Yeah, you. I sympathized with you. I actually sort of liked you.

Beckett. You're an ass and deserved to die ... but I like how you faced your end. There's something unresolved between you and Jack, and I'd like to know what it is.

THE SPECTACULAR

Barbossa. Despite all, I didn't hate you in CotBP, though I'm glad you died at Jack's hand. But you totally made up for it here. I LIKE you. I can SHIP you now in a way I couldn't before. I can see how you and Jack could've gotten along at one time (though on the same ship, I'm still trying to figure that out). And dude? If I EVER get married, I'm totally looking you up to perform the ceremony.

THE WILL

Will. Oh, William. You had me at "A craftsman is always pleased to hear his work is appreciated," but I love you in a way I didn't think possible for a fictional character. *G* You are without a doubt the CENTER of this story, even if you're not the most colorful character or the most experienced. I love that you really didn't give Elizabeth an option there at the very end - she married you and, by God, you expected her to uphold her vows (though I can totally get around it in fanfic and expect others can as well, without disrespecting either Will or Elizabeth). For once, you exercised your selfishness, and it was at the right time - I don't care what others say, that if you loved her, you'd let her go. Would she you? I don't think so. (Maybe if the two of you agreed on terms, or something, for an open relationship without falling out of love with each other ... we'll just have to see.) Anyway, you're a fabulous character; anyone knocking you is just pissed off that you've learned so well from Jack. (And it was nice to see that he learned from you, too - "leverage" indeed.)

THE HO-YAY

Oh yes, my friends, it was there. Slashy goodness abounds between Jack and Will. Just gotta figure out the terms - I don't want to kill off Elizabeth or shaft her. And for the first time, I actually *saw* OT3. (Though I would totally still read Calypso/Will as well. I love how Will saves them all by reminding her at the last minute who she's REALLY pissed off at.)

What's more, I like how Jack and Will related to one another, period. Good interaction, good scenes. The look on Jack's face when Will is stabbed - priceless. Just priceless. (And no, he didn't save Will because of Elizabeth. I think he honestly did it for both her AND Will himself.)

GENERAL THOUGHTS

Will is either not as inexperienced as he looks, or he has an incredible knack of figuring out what Elizabeth likes after only one roll in the hay. The way he nuzzled her knee and the look on her face - DAMN. Sign me up for the Dutchman! And their goodbye kiss was heartbreaking.

If I hadn't known how the movie would end, I still would've figured it out - it's not like they BEAT US OVER THE HEAD WITH WILL'S DESTINY at every opportunity, or anything. Geez o pete. And I'm glad I read spoilers and had the chance to get used to Will's destiny (and that I thought of it last July on my own), or I might've had problems with it - as it is, I have figured out somewhat how to work around it and appreciate it somewhat.

I don't agree that Elizabeth's end is OOC. She made her choice, and it's obvious she's in a different place than she was when she last saw Will. If she can pick up and travel like that, it's entirely plausible she's been having adventures - I mean, look at the kid. That kid looks eager for adventure, too! I can't feature either of them having sat around on their duffs for a decade, doing nothing productive or enjoyable while waiting for Dad to come back.

Symbolism. This time, the symbolism served the plot, not the other way around. I can appreciate it better when that happens. (Such as, what's with Will's white shirt at the very end? He was wearing red when we last saw him go into the sea.)

The scene at the beginning. Could you BE any more politically prothelyzing for current times? (Not that I'm complaining. Or disagreeing.) We're meant to think this is what's happening now in Port Royal, but I submit to you that perhaps it's an AU - what could've happened had Beckett won in the end. Why? Because I wonder if the kid who is hanged is the same as Young Turner ... in a different fate.

Bill - I hate how he was used against Norrington (!!!), but I liked the little "Take the helm, Mr. Turner." "Aye, Captain Turner." bit at the end. Lots of good dialogue fic how they learn to relate to one another not as father and son, but as ... well, a sort of Underworld Jack and Gibbs.

'Shipping. Even I can see how different 'shippers can work with what we're given. (Yes, even the Norrington fans, though there are a few twists that'll have to be accomplished first.) For once, I saw possibilities for J/E - mildly, but present. Or, rather, I should say I saw OT3 with Will at the center, and the two of them enjoying each other's presence - but really NEEDING his to complete the threesome.

FINALLY

If you didn't like AWE, I understand. I will not tell you you're crazy. I will not discount your opinion. I may disagree with it, but I won't dismiss it or call you nutters. I know how that feels, believe me.

And you? What did you think?