Definitely, he was one of the few reviewer to actually “get” exploitation movies. He could understand that sure the plot’s stupid, but it’s executed well. Especially in that time frame when most reviewers were basically trying to be auteurs and were really pushing arthouse, Ebert’s ability to appreciate a good car chase really separated him from the crowd.
It certainly had something to do with his time with Russ Meyer, but he also was capable of liking a movie just for the simple reason that it had attractive women in little to no clothing.
Having said all that, The Pirates movies have never really been good. They are all 8 hours long with fight scenes and chase scenes that go on forever and romantic plots that feel out of a Marx Brothers movie. They have also increasingly relied on Depp as the series went on..... to limited returns at best.
I actually saw the second one in a theater, and it was a mistake. They are movies best show on TNT where you can take fifteen minute breaks to fold laundry, go to the bathroom, and check baseball scores on your phone.