"Yes."
"Thats good! May I use that?"
When the King of Spain learns that the legendary Fountain of Youth actually exists, he sends a ship to claim the land for Spain. The King of England wants to get their first, and turns to pirates for help. Barbossa (Rush), now a privateer after losing a leg and the Black Pearl, is to lead the quest.
Meanwhile, Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp), who is in possession of the map to the Fountain. While looking for a ship and a crew, he is shanghaied by an old girlfriend, Angelica (Cruz), aboard her father's ship. Her father is the ruthless pirate Blackbeard (McShane). Blackbeard seeks the Fountain to avoid the prophecy of his death in a fortnight.
In addition to finding the Fountain, they need to perform a ritual to access the powers of the Fountain. The ritual involves capturing a mermaid (Berges-Frisbey). Can they survive mutiny, zombies, voodoo, mermaids, and each other:
Meanwhile, Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp), who is in possession of the map to the Fountain. While looking for a ship and a crew, he is shanghaied by an old girlfriend, Angelica (Cruz), aboard her father's ship. Her father is the ruthless pirate Blackbeard (McShane). Blackbeard seeks the Fountain to avoid the prophecy of his death in a fortnight.
In addition to finding the Fountain, they need to perform a ritual to access the powers of the Fountain. The ritual involves capturing a mermaid (Berges-Frisbey). Can they survive mutiny, zombies, voodoo, mermaids, and each other:
The fourth film in the successful Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, based on the Disneyland ride, had a lot to overcome. The original (Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl) was an instant success, due to great performances (particularly Depp and Rush) and word of mouth. The second (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest) and third (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End) films took the characters and mythology, and built upon it, making each film longer and more confusing. Each film had bigger budgets and cooler effects, but lost the magic and audience of the original. With most of the plot lines resolved (at the end of the third film), and character arcs completed, who would be Jack's moral compass and who would be the new villain?
A new director, new cast, new mythologies are at the forefront of Jack's new adventure. The film feels different from its predecessors, while trying to rekindle the joy of the original.
Does it succeed? Some aspects work: the chemistry between Depp and Cruz, and Jack still trying to successfully captain the Black Pearl. Some aspects miss the mark: the subplot with the missionary, the lack of Barbossa and Gibbs (where’s the rest of the crew?). The beginning sequence with Jack at the palace (and escaping from it) is spellbinding. The sword fights and other action scenes are done well.
A funny, engaging film ... I enjoyed the experience. It works on it's own merits, as part of the family of the other 3 films. It doesn't try to duplicate the formula of the others and doesn't try to piggy back on the story line of the original. It chooses to stand on it's own, winking at aspects of the other films. It isn't necessary to see the previous films to enjoy this one, but it certainly helps!
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) 136 minutesRating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action / adventure violence, some frightening images, sensuality and innuendo.
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow
Penelope Cruz as Angelica Malon
Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa
Ian McShane as Blackbeard
Kevin McNally as Gibbs
Sam Claflin as Philip
Astrid Berges-Frisbey as Syrena
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