MOVIE REVIEW: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES (12A) (2D) (3D)

"ENTERTAINING BUT NOT BETTER THAN ORIGINAL"

Pirates Of The Caribbean 4: On Strange Tides is an Action Fantasy Adventure film Directed by Rob Marshall (same guy that brought us Memoirs Of a Geisha, 2005). This film centres Jack Sparrow & Barbosa, they embark on a quest to find the elusive Fountain of Youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too. Its Starring Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane, Kevin McNally, Sam Claflin, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Stephen Graham, Keith Richards, Richard Griffiths, Greg Ellis, Damian O’Hare & Oscar Jaenada.

THE REVIEW:

Before I went to see this fourth instalment in the Pirates of the Caribbean series someone asked me ‘Will the film not feel weird without most of its original characters?’ I thought about that question and couldn’t answer but had it in mind.

After watching this film I had mixed feelings of the outcome. The storyline is long, active, funny & entertaining (lots of things constantly going on) and fresh to the eyes but I don’t think it’s better than the original (not far off the mark though). I think the problem it had was that it’s just a long piece of film that doesn’t have enough jaw dropping scenes from time to time, starts off great but doesn't end that way. Another problem is taking a classic and adding new things to it (that original feel to it). The new characters are not bad actors/actresses (far from it) it’s just that some scenes needed certain people from the previous films. Capt. Jack Sparrows needed Orlando Bloom & Keira Knightley along in this journey (they were missed).

On Strangers Tides tell the story at a good pace with amazing production behind it. The Cinematography was pictured beautifully. From the costumes to the sets everything just brought back memories of the previous films. Marshall did a good job directing this film but lets the sub plot get in the way of the actual story (left unsolved). Some of the fight scenes seemed too routine and boring until the mermaids come along. 3D? Well I had the opportunity to watch it in 3D but didn't really feel like it was necessary, nothing amazing happens in apart from some in your face sword movements. I even kept taking my glasses off just to check the difference.

Jack Sparrow (Depp) is this films best asset. His character is just so iconic & entertaining that he continuously stands out in each Pirate of the Caribbean film. He does a brilliant job once and his character is the glue that holds this film together. I liked Angelica (Cruz) as Mr Sparrows love interest, she’s another fresh face, a good actress and a sight for sore eyes (I must say). Barbosa (Rush) is another great character with a serious & funny side to him, he also is a classic character. New baddie Blackbeard (McShane) brought a dark presence to his role which worked well.

 STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  3.5 

FAVOURITE MOMENTS IN THE FILM:

1. Jacks Sparrow’s early scene with the King.

2. Jack Sparrow (Depp) & Angelica’s (Cruz) last scene together on a remote island.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to share it with us in the comments)

TRAILER: