"Pirates" is a LEGO stop motion movie made by Doug Vandegrift
based on the LEGO Pirates theme.
John Todd is a pirate serving as first mate to the vicious Captain Blackheart. He only became a pirate to provide for his lover Anna and his young daughter Ruby, who isn't aware that he is her father as he doesn't want her to know that he's a pirate. When Blackheart's pirate crew returns to land to enjoy themselves at a brothel, Todd reunites with Anna and promises to leave the pirating profession to be with her. However, that same night, Todd saves Anna from being raped by another member of Blackheart's crew and, in turn, is kicked out of the crew by Blackheart, who kills Anna and kidnaps Ruby. Todd thus embarks on a quest to rescue his daughter from the evil pirate captain.
The movie was originally released on YouTube in four partsnote , but was later released as a single video, which can be viewed here.
Tropes:
- Beard of Evil: Captain Blackheart has a long black beard.
- Big Bad: Captain Blackheart, who kidnaps John Todd's daughter after killing his wife, prompting his quest to save her.
- Bittersweet Ending: John Todd dies, right after telling Ruby he's her father, but her grandfather, the royal navy Admiral, agrees to take her in and care for her.
- The Brute: Bill, a tough and none-to-bright pirate who is one of the few named members of Blackheart's crew besides John Todd and Diego.
- Establishing Character Moment: The opening scene of the movie, in which two unlucky sailors are captured and have their loot stolen by Blackheart and his crew. It serves as one for both Blackheart (to showcase his cruelty) and John Todd (to showcase how good he is as he helps the two to get to safety).
- Faux Affably Evil: Captain Blackheart is a cruel pirate, but he acts deceptively friendly in almost every scene he's in, particularly towards Ruby.
- Friendly Pirate: Both John Todd and Diego are perfectly friendly people outside of work.
- Hero Antagonist: The Royal Navy aren't villains, but as John Todd is a wanted pirate they also oppose him for much of the movie.
- Killed Offscreen: Anna's death happens in between John Todd being knocked out and him waking up, and as such we don't get to see it.
- Meaningful Name: It doesn't get any more on the nose than "Blackheart."
- Noble Top Enforcer: John Todd begins the movie as Captain Blackheart's first mate, although he's only doing it to provide for his family and even goes out of his way to help some sailors return to their boat. Later Diego proves to be this as well when Blackheart names him his new first mate, helping John to escape and later reunite with his daughter.
- Not-So-Safe Harbor: The port Blackheart's crew docks at, after a guard futily tries to stop them.
- Pirate: A stop motion animation focusing on Golden Age pirates.
- Punch-Clock Villain: John Todd isn't too enthusiastic about his job as a pirate and only sees it as a means to an end.
- Red Eyes, Take Warning: One of Blackheart's eyes is red. It's actually a ruby.
- Sword and Gun: Blackheart dual wields a cutlass and a flintlock pistol when he's facing John Todd. Although rather than use both at the same time, Blackheart just shoots at him until John knocks the pistol out of his hand.
- Together in Death: The last thing John Todd sees before dying is his late wife Anna.
- Two First Names: John Todd.
