Laila had done extensive research on many Hollywood blockbusters, including money-making juggernauts like Pirates of the Caribbean.
Back then, she didn't have the means to watch these films, so she pretended to be the director of this movie and studied how it was shot, how the story was constructed, and how to convey the narrative. Additionally, future reviews provided her with valuable insights she could apply to her version.
For example, she found the early part of the story a bit dragging and overly intricate, with many scenes that could be simplified. In simpler terms, the pacing in the beginning was too slow, leading to a runtime of over two hours.
Compared to contemporary films that often ran for over two hours, she believed that a runtime between one and a half hours to one hour and forty minutes would be more suitable. However, this meant many scenes would need to be compressed and edited, which was quite a challenge for someone who had been meticulous about every shot in the film.
Laila couldn't focus on the movie itself because she had edited it. She was extremely familiar with every aspect, and now she was more concerned about the audience's reactions.
The audience's response was far from disappointing. As the movie's plot unfolded, viewers were completely engrossed in the story, occasionally laughing or gasping at thrilling moments.
To make this film a success, Laila had secured the use of the Golden Island, which American Express usually reserved for their most important VIPs. The breathtaking landscapes elicited admiration every time they appeared on screen, and the audience occasionally overheard people asking about the location.
Over an hour had passed imperceptibly. Laila included some behind-the-scenes footage during the credits to keep the audience engaged until the very end, earning applause for the movie's brilliance.
Laila closed her eyes and immersed herself in the waves of applause and cheers. In this moment, she could listen to the hearts of the fans and feel their love for the movie. That was enough for her; she was content.
What she didn't know was that a person wearing a baseball cap and large sunglasses covering half of his face had left quietly just before the credits started. Like many curious film reviewers, Cooper had come to scout the situation first. He wanted to see how a pirate-themed movie that had already been declared dead by everyone had turned out, and he was particularly interested in witnessing how the myth she had created would come to an end.
He'd be even happier if he could watch Laila being pelted with tomatoes and rotten shoes, and he was confident that he'd remember such a scene for the rest of his life.
However, he was disappointed, starting with the beginning of the movie.
The picturesque scenery, the outstanding characters, everything that met his eyes was exceptionally well done.
Cooper had gained recognition as a reputable film critic not because he was critical but because he had a genuine appreciation for films. He could often provide precise assessments of movies. This was why so many fans had trusted his opinions when he targeted Reynolds and Phoenix films in the past; he had made many accurate and well-reasoned judgments.
Now, even though he might not want to admit it, he couldn't help but recognize that a character like Roy's pirate captain was bound to be loved by the audience.
He did not doubt that when the box office numbers were released the next day, they would be quite impressive. But this was absolutely not the scenario he wanted!
He couldn't understand why a pirate film could turn out like this. Why hadn't other directors made similar movies before her, and why did she manage to "succeed" where others had failed?
Just the thought of the media licking Laila's feet when the box office numbers were released made him feel nauseated!
Regardless, he would not allow such a scenario to occur! Whether it was the past Phoenix or the current Dragon Soul, everything related to Reynolds would remain his eternal enemy!
Cooper left the theater in a furious mood. However, the majority of the audience remained, expressing their gratitude with applause for the visual feast Laila had provided.
Today marked the beginning of the summer blockbuster season, and several big productions were waiting to be released over the next three months. After watching the film, the audience believed that, even if it couldn't take the top spot, it would undoubtedly be among the top three in terms of excitement.
Just look at the audience's reactions. They were so captivated by the film that they had to express their excitement with shouts.
"What should I do? I'm completely in love with the captain!"
"I've never seen such a cool captain before. He's my new idol."
"No, I have to buy another ticket and watch it again; it's just amazing!"
Passionate fans rushed home to share their excitement with friends, while others hurried to the ticket booth, only to find that most screenings were already sold out, except for those in remote theaters.
The enthusiasm of the fans surprised other media reporters and some film critics who were in attendance. They had only seen this level of excitement at a few movie premieres, all of which had left a profound mark on cinematic history.
Many film critics and reporters exchanged bewildered looks, thinking that they might have witnessed the birth of a miracle. What bothered them most was that the creator of this miracle was just a 21-year-old girl!
That night, "Pirates of the Caribbean" began trending all over the internet. Fans were the first to share their thoughts on the movie on film-related websites and forums, while Facebook was flooded with discussions about the film.
"It's such a cool movie; I feel like I've just been on an amazing journey with the captain."
"The visuals in the movie are stunning; does anyone know where those landscapes are? I really want to visit!"
"I was dragged by a friend to see this, and after watching, my friend practically dragged me out of the cinema. In just over an hour, I became an ardent fan of the captain. Now I'm going to watch all of director Laila's other films. She must be one of the greatest directors on this planet!"