Review - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Strange Tides, Stranger Film


The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is one of the biggest grossing series in film history. Let’s face it, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) has become a classic character in film lore, ALREADY. The newest journey takes us “On Stranger Tides” as Jack is back.


Everyone has heard of the Fountain of Youth. It’s been legendary throughout writings during all parts of history. Most references have been to the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon and that is the foundation for the search for this mystical fountain that would restore youth to those who drink from it.


Ah, but the journey will be more than just a search for the fountain when Jack is involved. He is forced aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge; that’s the one belonging to Blackbeard (Ian McShane)!


Angelica (Penelope Cruz) has a past with Jack. She grabs him and takes him prisoner for the journey to the fountain. But wait, doesn’t everyone have a past with Jack, I digress.


The journey to the Fountain of Youth will have them encountering Mermaids, swashbuckling, zombies and more. Plus Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) is back and even Gibbs is along to help out Captain Jack (plus watch for that memorable monkey to have some bottled up enthusiasm.


Will the journey result in younger days ahead?


I’ve been a big fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. They take us to beautiful lands and excite the senses. Sure some may have been a touch long, but the journey was worth it.


If it sounds at this point like I’m leading up to a but, it’s true. BUT, this film felt different.


I never found myself reengage with Jack here. The first thirty minutes or so felt like it wandered way more than it should have. I’m not going to say sleep inducing, but it really didn’t get me into the film, despite an early action sequence or two.


Having Penelope Cruz onboard just seemed to be written in kind of funny, I will give it the thought that the Depp/Cruz history “might” be explored more in Pirates 5, and yes – staying after the credits you will see the scene that sets the tables for a 5th installment. But the relationship here just didn’t have the spice that it could have conjured up.


The action sequences felt a bit long and the only segment I wanted more of was with the diabolical mermaids that seemed to end way too quickly.


Things that did stand out for me included visuals of the water and jungle. Very breathtaking to look at, I wish that it was not a 3D film as the many sequences filmed in the dark become darker. And the Hans Zimmer score felt spot on, so much so that I felt every scene that utilized the music was enhanced.


Maybe I’ve become spoiled with the first three films, maybe I expect more from them now, but this is just a run of the mill type of film. It may be on stranger tides but it is a stranger film as it doesn’t rise to the level we’ve come to expect. But alas, mateys! There could be Pirates 5 on the horizon, and I’ll line up for that one immediately as well as no one can get enough of Captain Jack Sparrow.


C+


Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Walt Disney Pictures


Director: Rob Marshall
Cast: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane


Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence, some frightening images, sensuality and innuendo.
Runtime: 2 hours 17 minutes