movie review
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Fourth movie breathes new life into the franchise
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Even though the trailers looked good for ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides‘ and Johnny Depp took a more active role in the filmmaking, I didn’t hold a lot of hope that this fourth movie would put the franchise back on track. But guess what? It’s very entertaining and indeed breathes new life into a series that was nearly dragged under with the second and third movies.
They cut out all the bloat, made the story lean and mean, and put the focus back on Jack, which is exactly where it should be. And he’s less of a caricature in this film, more of a real person than the cartoonish, rum-drinking pirate we’ve seen in the previous films.
I was worried that the absence of Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom would leave me feeling sad, but I didn’t really even miss them. Their story was tied up nicely in the third movie, and ‘Tides’ brings a fresh new start to the franchise with the addition of Penelope Cruz as Angelica Malon, the daughter of Blackbeard, played with delicious villainy by Ian McShane.
In place of the puzzling plotlines that marked Gore Verbinski’s second and third films, director Rob Marshall has created an easy-to-follow story about the Fountain of Youth. Jack’s not getting any younger, after all. He’s probably starting to think seriously about what’s ahead.
And so after a caper involving a judge impersonation, a daring escape, and a quick meet-up with his dad (Keith Richards, whose pirate-ish presence has me craving a spin-off movie), Jack is back in action and working with Barbossa to find the elusive Fountain of Youth.
He quickly crosses paths with Angelica, a long-lost lover with whom he still shares abundant amounts of chemistry. Their playful banter is charming and fun, and she’s a strong and feisty opponent with both words and swords.
This movie also introduces us to the mermaids, a population of undersea creatures who can be sweet one minute and freaky-frightening the next. Don’t get them riled up! The bipolar beings are in demand because in order to access the Fountain of Youth, you need two chalices and the tear of a mermaid. Not an easy challenge for the pirates.
Astrid Berges-Frisbey perfectly inhabits the role of Syrena the mermaid – sweet and young, with an ethereal quality. She’s also the perfect star-crossed lover to Philip (Sam Claflin), the man of God who’s concerned for her welfare.
‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is a fun popcorn movie. It features lush locations, an action-packed storyline, a gorgeous soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and flamenco-guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, and most of all, that loveable rogue Capt. Jack Sparrow. Ready for more? A ‘Pirates 5’ script has already been delivered to Disney.
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