The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy is still in that so-popular-its-annoying stage, which is why I wince at bringing it up in our summer appreciation. Believe me, nobody can be more worn out on all things piratical than this humble writer. After all, my sister dates a professional Jack Sparrow, and this is the time of year when we dust off our tricorns, polish off our swords, and contemplate another summer of going "Avast, ye scurvy dogs!" up at the local Ren Faire. I'm pretty sure I only just put away the puffy shirt.

But in spite of this, I maintain that Pirates was one of the best things to happen to summer flicks in a long, long time. It was that rare thing in a summer blockbuster: a surprise. Of course it had a lot of press and buzz but few expected it to be any good, even with the likes of Johnny Depp and Geoffery Rush. What a rare treat it is to be collectively wrong. Of course, then the sequels started and what started out as something fun and original became bloated summer fare.

While I liked Dead Man's Chest, I can't muster up much of a defense for At World's End. Yet today's summer Terrific Trailer is At World's End because there's nothing more depressing than a crappy film with a fantastic trailer. The film promised here is ten times better than the one shoved into theaters. You watch it and wonder "How the hell did they screw that up?" because it hints at exactly what should have followed Dead Man's Chest. Remember this trailer as you line up for this summer's movies, because five seconds of coolness (like that brilliant swords-and-music moment of 1:58, or the introduction of the pirate lords) can result in 2 1/2 hours of total disappointment.