No treasure

I read the mostly lukewarm positive reviews, and yet expected to love the new "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." Critics whine about it being too long at nearly three hours.

I figured that would just be more pirate fun for your money.

Critics are almost always too harsh on summer popcorn movies.

Not this time. They were kind.

I saw the movie with the family on Sunday at Carmike 10 (my favorite theater, with the digital projectors and the $5.50 ticket price). It has great music, costumes, special effects.

You almost don't notice that they're no actual movie there. I admit it had some nice moments. Liked Keith Richards, looking more at home with a bunch of pirates than any of them. Liked the wedding held during a ship battle.

But much of the time, I felt like I was waiting for something to happen... but not in a good way. Not like suspense. More like boredom.

The third Shrek and Spidey were much more fun. This is what the most expensive movie ever made looks like?

After the credits (and the obligatory prologue), I realized my favorite parts were the previews.

Looking forward to "Enchanted," the new Harry Potter, "Transformers," and the new "Die Hard."

The theme this summer, by the way, seems to be cars tumbling through the air.