The Pirate Movie (1982)

Too much of everything

To me, this movie is perfection.

This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Rented this over and over as a kid and had to buy it. Love the cheesy story of a romantic feminist!

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.

VERY loose send up of Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance".Mabel (Kristy McNicol) falls in love with ex-pirate Frederic (Christopher Atkins). They want to marry but Frederic's pirate friends plan to attack Mabel and her family. Will Frederic side with his old pirate friends or protect Mabel and her family?No doubt about it--this is a BAD movie. The story rambles all over the place and it's full of groan-inducing jokes...but I loved it! Yeah the jokes are terrible but the whole cast is full of life and energy and pull them off. Also there are some good jokes (McNichol's asides to the audience are VERY funny) and the scenery was beautiful. The songs vary. Some are the original G&S songs with new lyrics (which will have purists cringing in horror). There's also some forgettable but pleasant 80s love songs (with hysterically bad love montages). Then there are the send ups of the 1970s and 1980s films scattered throughout. There's also some pretty explicit sex humor and plenty of homo erotica-all the pirates are shirtless and muscular and there are even a few gay pirate couples! As you can see this movie is all over the place but it's so much fun that I didn't mind! McNichol is sexy (believe it or not) and very good in her role. Ted Hamilton is excellent as The Priate King. As for Atkins...he was never a good actor but looks great with his shirt off! This was blasted when it came out and was regarded as a ripoff and pathetic. However it's acquired a cult following since then. This is the perfect summer movie for teenage girls and gay boys and men! Dumb but loads of fun. I give it an 8.

Peach, so glad there is someone else out there. My sister and I have loved this movie since 87 as well. After seeing it on t.v., my mother spent long pre-internet hours and a good amount of cash locating a copy on VHS for us because we had to have it. We knew all the songs by heart and even danced and acted them out. The movie is full of sexual innuendo that went over our heads and made Mom giggle. When I watch it now it is funny, silly and a wonderful indulgence. If you have daughters, let them check this one out. Yay for happy endings! And yay for a heroine who is independent, smart, awkward, honest and feisty! We can have it both ways.