Release Date: May 20, 2011
Runtime: 2 hr. 17 min.
Director: Rob Marshall
Cast: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane, Stephen Graham.
He has evaded curses, cheated death, and has sailed to the edge of the world and back. Now, Captain Jack Sparrow returns to the high seas with a new crew and adventure at stake. In the fourth installment of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” it’s the Fountain of Youth that is being sought after, pitting pirates and enemies alike in a nautical race against time. Johnny Depp is as resourceful as ever, upholding his characteristic traits as the blundering, but brilliant, Jack Sparrow. Alongside his incessant rival, Barbossa (Rush), he stumbles upon formidable opponents in the likes of legendary pirate, Blackbeard, and his daughter Angelica, as they search for the mythical fountain. While the cast is new for the most part, the film endures the weariness of any late sequel in a franchise. This time around, the action seems tepid in the course of the story, which is all but memorable. The introduction of new characters adds little to that effect, particularly the missionary and mermaid who are merely replacements for Bloom and Knightley’s, Will and Elizabeth. Even Ian McShane’s portrayal of Blackbeard seems like a wasted effort that could have been so much more—he was the most notorious, real-life pirate, after all. Fortunately, “On Stranger Tides” has the shortest runtime of the series, making it easier to pass the time with the occasional swordfights and pirate jive. But don’t expect this franchise to be anchored down anytime soon. As long as the loot keeps coming, sequels will be sailing.
Rating: 2½ stars
He has evaded curses, cheated death, and has sailed to the edge of the world and back. Now, Captain Jack Sparrow returns to the high seas with a new crew and adventure at stake. In the fourth installment of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” it’s the Fountain of Youth that is being sought after, pitting pirates and enemies alike in a nautical race against time. Johnny Depp is as resourceful as ever, upholding his characteristic traits as the blundering, but brilliant, Jack Sparrow. Alongside his incessant rival, Barbossa (Rush), he stumbles upon formidable opponents in the likes of legendary pirate, Blackbeard, and his daughter Angelica, as they search for the mythical fountain. While the cast is new for the most part, the film endures the weariness of any late sequel in a franchise. This time around, the action seems tepid in the course of the story, which is all but memorable. The introduction of new characters adds little to that effect, particularly the missionary and mermaid who are merely replacements for Bloom and Knightley’s, Will and Elizabeth. Even Ian McShane’s portrayal of Blackbeard seems like a wasted effort that could have been so much more—he was the most notorious, real-life pirate, after all. Fortunately, “On Stranger Tides” has the shortest runtime of the series, making it easier to pass the time with the occasional swordfights and pirate jive. But don’t expect this franchise to be anchored down anytime soon. As long as the loot keeps coming, sequels will be sailing.
Rating: 2½ stars
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