PIRATES (2014)

Original, funny, romantic, touching, and exhilarating; all describe the one-of-a-kind joy that is Pirates.  Set in 1388, the film's main story begins when a group envoy, sailing to Korea to bring an emperor his royal State Seal, gets in the way of a giant gray whale that destroys their ship - and in the process swallows the seal, housed in an ornate red and gold box.  Embarrassed, those at fault tell the emperor pirates ambushed the ship and took the seal, causing him to offer a reward to anyone who finds it.  Newly-minted female pirate captain Jang Sa-jung and her crew are forced by a naval commander to go after the whale, while a group of mountain bandits (providing terrific comic relief), led by handsome former soldier Yeo-wol, also plot to steal a ship and seek the reward.  Mayhem, merriment, lots of swordfights and aerial stunts, and one of the best/funniest action movies put to film results, making Pirates the most boisterous, just plain fun experience I've had in a long time. (not rated)  A

PIRATES trailer