This film is stunning to look at and the last fifteen minutes alone make it well worth going but WITHOUT your small children. It feels like Verbinski and Bruckheimer shot two separate films - a fun, adventure film where Depp hogs the camera and a dark,, brutal film that feels uncomfortable against the comedy -- and then pieced those two films together.
Some of the supporting characters feel flat while other are just pointless. Subplots abound so pay attention and don't get up and go to the bathroom. The score is amazing. Try not to get caught up in the music and forget to watch the film! And, should you find yourself feeling like the film is trudging along too slowly, hang in there. There will come a moment when you'll think "now THIS is the film I came to see!" but it doesn't show up until it's almost over.
Language is mild but the violence is not implied and one death scene is particularly gruesome and disturbing.