I love AWE, too, but like you said, it’s clearly the lesser of the 3 (and, consequently, the less popular). Anyhow, I think this will be much better.
SOA: While I agree that AWE was the weakest from an objective standpoint (too many plot threads, over-the-top death of Norrington, etc.), I’m viewing it with “nostalgia glasses” in my post, and I believe it had good intentions but was executed poorly under the weight of its “grand finale” storyline.
As for Disney’s false promises, I clearly remember the theatrical posters having taglines like “The Final Battle” and the TV spots saying something to that effect. I know that a fourth one was possible, but the way they concluded the film, as well as the promotional taglines (if I could find an example of the poster or TV spot, I’d post it here) gave the uninformed cinemagoer the impression that this is the end.
Just like in the Fast Five trailer, Vin Diesel’s character says “We do one last job”. They are filming the sequel (the sixth movie in the franchise) for a release next year or in 2012, so obviously it won’t be the “last job”, but again, it hoodwinks the viewer into thinking this will be the last F&F film when clearly they are planning to make a second trilogy.
It’s not an outright lie (It’s as truthful as Apple saying “This is our best iPad ever”, only to release a new one twelve months later). But it’s pretty close.
I’m pretty sure Crystal Skull was critically-panned as well, but it’s not a bad movie. Just not a good one, either, and I was severely disappointed by the random alien surprise at the end.
Hopefully, On Stranger Tides doesn’t resort to such desperate scriptwriting, and that we will get what they promised on the cereal box along with perhaps a surprise toy or something and not a cockroach. 
I really hate the fourth Indiana Jones, regardless of what anyone thinks. I just didn’t like anything about it past Cate Blanchett.
But, anyway, I never thought that AWE would be the last. I always hoped for a fourth.
I’m an obsessive Pirates fan, and I’m pretty sure I don’t remember “The Final Battle” being a tagline, but I can be wrong. Anyway, if it really existed, it made sense within context, as it really is the final battle between piracy and the EITCo. OST won’t carry that theme.
But, actually, most people I knew assumed there would be a fourth one, as the Fountain of Youth/Black Pearl theft ending hints that.
No, it wasn’t panned by critics, but had a warm reception among them. It holds 77% in Rotten Tomatoes (that’s higher than Cars) and the consensus says:
“Though the plot elements are certainly familiar, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull still delivers the thrills and Harrison Ford’s return in the title role is more than welcome.”
And well, I knew the alien plot way before they began filming, so I couldn’t feel disappointed by it. It’s a 50s B movie, after all, just like the original trilogy were 30s B movies.
I saw At World’s End yesterday because I saw a trailer for On Stranger Tides when I went to see Rio. I can hardly wait. I love the Pirates films, because, frankly, pirates are awesome. Also, the soundtrack is magnificent.
Actually, it’s one of the few non-animated film series that graces my favourite movie list!
I think this featurette is worth watching, as it shows lots of footage not included in the trailers.
Oh, yes. I didn’t post it because I was disappointed with its two seconds of new footage.
By the way, the music of choice on it sounds more appropriate for something like Inception than for Pirates, don’t you think?
That’s what came to my mind, but don’t get surprised, the genius behind the Pirates music is the same genius on the Inception score.
Yes, I know. But this trailer’s music was not from Zimmer, just from stock, so the anachronism is not his fault.
While watching TV tonight, a commerical for this movie came on. My dad was very excited, and wants to see it in theatres, like we did when the last Pirates movie came out.
TDT: I wish I could help you with that last tagline, but I wasn’t with Disney then! I can always to find out…Even if it was, as Spirit of Adventure pointed it out, it would have been marketing for that particular movie and not necessarily the franchise.
And thank you, SOA, for posting all the new videos and posters! So cool to see a big Pirates fan Since you’re all up to date on the newest assets, just want to remind you to check out the official Facebook page, if you haven’t already - there’s an image of all the mermaids, a Pirate Yourself Application and a Skull Creator application. You’re the Pirates fans - I’d love to hear what you guys think of those!
Thanks!
I saw the mermaids group image a while ago in a fan page, but not the applications as I don’t use Facebook 
Daaaah, the mermaids are so cool! Thanks for the updates Spirit & Disneymovies!
Hurr hurr, I just realised she’s topless. Hurray for the courage not to do a Disney-censor with a seashell bra!
Exactly, I like how they’re keeping them more traditional and folklore-y I wonder how they’ll cover her chest during the entire movie, her hair doesn’t look long enough to do the ol’ cover up.
They use only her hair during the first part of the movie, when she’s imprisoned.
Then, she breaks of her cage and gets free (she can walk on land) so Phillip lends her his shirt.
Pirates 1 and Pirates 2 will be aired next Saturday on TV here. That is a good chance to remind audiences the film, it will also help for promotion, despite of having the films on DVD, I’ll be watching them on TV. 
Edited by Bill: Don’t use excessive smilies