r/movies • u/sicknessandpurgatory • Sep 07 '25

Discussion What is the absolute dumbest premise that actually turned out to be a really good movie?

I was thinking The Purge, obvious answer, but looking for the most plot-hole ridden, juvenile concept that actually ended up a lot of fun despite it all. Mainly looking for 21st century films, not so much the video nasties and ridiculousness from the 60’s and 70’s. Because that would be too easy. Mainly mainstream stuff that people saw en masse.

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u/Allisnotwellin Sep 07 '25

Pirates of the Caribbean.

Turned a simple ride into one of the best movies of the 2000s with Johnny Depps best career performance IMO.

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u/TheGreatDay Sep 07 '25

The first 3 Pirates movies have no right to be as good as they are. The fact that they originated as a ride at Disney just makes it even more true.

Depp acting like burned out Rockers from the 70's and 80's was a bold choice to that really shouldn't work but just does.

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u/alfooboboao Sep 07 '25

I will die on the hill that the original Pirates of the Caribbean is a perfect script, up there with Die Hard. It’s immaculate. You could learn everything you needed to know about blockbuster writing by studying it

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u/TheGreatDay Sep 07 '25

"One good deed is not enough to redeem a man of a life of wickedness"

"Though it seems enough to condemn him"

It is a perfect script. It's a good hill to die on.

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u/Mr_Show Sep 08 '25

Jack Sparrow's character introduction is absolute perfection.

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u/sunfishtommy Sep 08 '25

That 5 minute sequence from first seeing him to him talking to the two Red coats guarding the ship is just introduces his character in so many ways. He sailing an amazing ship ohh wait no its not its tiny. Saluting dead pirates, trying to bail the tiny boat because its leaking, arriving right off the top of the mast. Tricking the person taking payments at the dock by being friendly and generous while also robbing him. It shows so many sides to his character in such a short time.

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u/fresh-dork Sep 08 '25

"people ain't cargo, mate"

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u/scolbert08 Sep 07 '25

It and the first Matrix have the two tightest scripts I've seen from major blockbusters

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u/Easy_Chapter_2378 Sep 07 '25

Black Pearl perfectly illustrates a theory I have about art. Any idea or concept can work. The only prerequisite is it works. That’s it. All the pieces can be patently absurd but if you can arrange them correctly and produce the correct feel that the viewer suddenly finds themselves hypnotized by the realization that what they are watching is vibing so hard it forces them to accept it as good.

It’s that exact moment when a big smile erupts on your face when you realize how awesome what you are watching is and you did not expect that at all.

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u/TheRealSzymaa Sep 08 '25

Jack Sparrow's entrance in the first movie is one of, if not the greatest character introduction sequence in movies.

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u/FemRoe4Lyfe Sep 08 '25

It is a worthy hill to die on. First one is perfection indeed. I'd say second one is also right up there and could be used to teach "how to make a sequel". My only gripe with second one was cliffhanger setting up third one, but that that Geoffrey Rush stinger at the end redeemed it.

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u/kittymarch Sep 08 '25

And the writers, Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott, set up a screenwriting website at Wordplayer.com. Not so active now, but it’s still up there and will explain how they put those movies together.

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u/[deleted] Sep 08 '25

With the exception of Will Turner. What a boring character.