Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Plot:

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, excitement and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in this action-packed adventure that finds him crossing paths (and swords) with the enigmatic Angelica (Penélope Cruz). When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth. Along the way Jack must use all his wiles to deal with the barbarous Blackbeard and his crew of zombies, Angelica, the ravishing pirate with whom he shares a dubious past, and the beautiful, enchanting mermaids whose masterful cunning can lure even the most seasoned sailor to his doom. The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the indestructible Captain Hector Barbossa and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth when a woman from his past (Penélope Cruz) forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane).

 

 

Our verdict:

The fourth installment of Jack Sparrow’s swashbuckling adventure is an adaptation of Tim Powers award winning book, “On Stranger Tides”. Depp is back in top form as Sparrow and Cruz’s alluring Angelica adds some spice as Sparrow’s love interest greatly missing from the other three films. Equally engaging are the performances of Rush and McShane. Rolling Stone’s Keith Richards introduces us briefly to Sparrow’s father. Their performances provide a good diversion for the audience from Depp’s odd ball character.

The opening scene sees Captain Jack hurling himself out of the frying pan and into the fire, escaping being locked up in jail, only to find himself in the company of the motley crew of the notorious Captain Blackbeard. The opening sequence is set against the back drop of old London and features the kind of lively comedy of errors Jack is always so good at getting into, jumping from carriage to carriage, swinging off chandeliers, with just enough time left to wreck havoc in the dining room of King George II, before escaping into the streets of London, yet again.

The new direction makes this film less family oriented than the last three with a more complex storyline owing to borrowings from Power’s novel and the new director, Rob Marshall (Previously three pictures directed by Gore Verbinski). I felt it lost some of its fun and magic from its earlier formula but then again, if it did keep to the last formula, I might complain of the writers complacency so if you watch it with an open mind just like listening to the next U2 or Pearl Jam album then the movie will be refreshingly entertaining.The younger audiences, though confused by the plot, will be engaged by the swordfights, carriage jumping and rope swinging stunts synonymous with pirate movies.

And then there is the 3D fad that seems to be sweeping many of the big productions. Many of the set-pieces are fun and nimble, though frustratingly hampered by needless 3D which knocks the pace of the action sequences. However, Hans Zimmer’s ever-excellent score pulls together all the rogue threads, keeping well within the range of the first film and injecting a vigorous dose of fun. Restrained and keeping convention, Pirates 4 is far from heading up the franchise, but remains a solid addition to the fleet.

Cumi adds that he much prefers non 3D works as directing and shooting a 3D movie requires a different level of expertise in film making. The cinematographer has to consider the effective use of the extra dimension to add new experiences for the audiences. He also prefers the old cardboard spectacles because the ones now doesn’t sit well with his nose bridge and its heavy.

Cumi: I wonder if they’ll do a “Parrots of the Carribean” with the success of “Rio”.

8 Comments

  • Sounds like it would be fun for the action and effects, at least.

    And I echo Cumi’s sentiments about the new 3D shades they use these days. Far too bulky and cumbersome. Devil and I have been avoiding the 3D versions of films lately; instead we head for good ol’ 2D for a more comfortable viewing experience. 🙂

  • Can’t wait for the 3D fad to die. A good reason not to pay over the odds to see this movie.

    The first Pirates of the Caribbean was fine, but after that it’s only Depp’s comical role that makes it worth viewing. The SFX are terrible on the 2nd and 3rd. To see it in 3D would not be good.

    That said Penelope Cruz will more than make up for it in terms of visual appeal.

    I’ll wait to see see this on a “pirate” DVD, it should just about be worth it then.

    Meanwhile I will happily pay to see THOR again, a far superior outing. Ditto with the critics lauding of poor SuckerPunch, which again makes mince meat out of Pirates of the Caribbean.

    All this year needs now is The Avengers done well, and that’s enough. Oh, and The Expendables 2 🙂

  • inka says:

    J. Depp… any time, any where, any movie, any street!!

  • Glad you liked the film! I checked out of the franchise after the 2nd one. The third one was unwatchable! Your review may make me actually spend $13 (NYC price!) on a ticket to see this.

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