There's no comparison between Aladdin and Jack, because Aladdin grew out of his ways towards the end of his film, for one thing.
PIrates may not be a moral instruction film, but how can I root for someone who is actually no better than Cutler Beckett, the designated villain? And how is Beckett the bad guy (aside from hanging that child, though Jack's done just as bad) for wanting to be rid of Jack's lot?
The pirates were a huge problem what with their raiding, raping (remember that one, female pirates fans), robbing, pillaging, murdering, and destroying property and people's lives, which we know Jack to be doing because he is a pirate. It' dbe one thing if they were romantized versions of pirates featured in these films, but they're not. The pirates in these films are highly realistic and all the more thoroughyl unlikeable and evil for it.
On top of that, if Beckett had been played by someone like Ewan McGregor or Hugh Jackman and had been more angsty, I can imagine how the tide of fan support to turn in his favor over Jack easily. Yeah, Beckett may be a Grade-A douchebag, but if I had to pick between his brand of law enforcement and the scum that tries to pass itself off as the heroes of PIrates 2 & 3, my choice would be Beckett for being the lesser of two evils by far.
Because between Jack behaving as ruthlessly as Beckett and with the release of an evil sea goddess at Barbossa's hands, and the continual back-stabbing by the rest of the cast, at least I know my place is secured if I abide by the law under him. Shall I also mention that Davy Jones was forced to kill the kraken by Beckett. Yeah, that big thing that destroyed all those ships needlessly that Jack, Will, and co were unable to defeat, themselves, and would surely have become a huge obstacle for them and anyone else on the sea? Yep, Beckett was the one to do away with it.
To top it off, I don't look forward to more Clone Jacks.
Oh yeah, while I'm on this train, I'm going to point out other things I found wrong with Pirates. Such as how can Barbossa by one of the Nine Pirate Lords if he had to serve as Jack's first mate?
Then let's touch on that Cylipso's powers amounted to nothing after they were hyped up so much throughout the film, and that Davy Jones was right in his action to imprison her after what she did to him. "Make me man the seven seas for ten years just to see you one night and the not show up?! I'm gonna...!!!"
It also drove me insane that Barbossa, who should be the most craven of the cast is the most honest amongst the ever-shifting loyalties and endless and stupid back-stabbings that happen for little to no reason. These morons would just decide on a plan after earnestly discussing it, or if Jack had just been honest with Will from the start. I took me about an hour to realize that Barbossa was the only one I even liked anymore because everyone else was too obsessed with getting ahead of the game and screwing everyone else over. These films needed to grow up.
All the while Jack just keeps reaching lower and lower lows while springing several traps while trying to keep only himself out of harm's way. Yeah, some hero.
I adored the first one, but if they continue down this road for #4, I'm done with it.
