“pirates of the caribbean: on stranger tides” – film review

I unexpectedly went to go see this movie over the weekend after deciding not to attend a midnight showing, like I usually do for big blockbuster summer films like this one is. Not that that particular detail is important, but this was a film I didn’t feel the necessity of seeing right away or as soon as possible. But I will jump ahead and say that this is a good movie to catch while in theaters. It’s another one of those films to file under escapism because I found myself in another world on a crazy adventure.

First things first: Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow is awesome as always. Why this man hasn’t won an Oscar yet is beyond me. And–fun fact–he was nominated for this very character! But he does his Jack Sparrow as only Depp can do, and it looks effortless. Needless to say, it’s what moviegoers came to see, and I was not disappointed.

I also came to see an adventure. And wow, what an adventure it took me on. The nice thing about this sequel is that you don’t need to see the first three to follow along. In fact, this works quite well as a stand alone film, which is probably why all of the movies are headlined as “Pirates on the Caribbean” which can easily be called “The Legendary Adventures of Jack Sparrow” …just so you remember who the star is here. But the mission on this adventure is to find the mystical Fountain of Youth. The fun in this movie isn’t necessary the destination, but the journey in which they get there… if they get there at all.

The fun begins as Jack escapes the law once again only to run into an old flame played by the lovely Penelope Cruz, who soon reveals she is the daughter of the infamous Blackbeard. Mr. Beard, as Jack calls him, has a very impressive ship and certainly not one to mess around with. He makes for a very nasty bad guy and has a good ranking in my villain book. He, and several other characters, are on a quest, which soon becomes a race, to get to the Fountain.

Geoffrey Rush returns as Barbossa, who has a bone, or leg rather, to pick with Blackbeard. Also in the mix is the Spanish navy, causing trouble for anyone they happen to get entangled with, pirates, British, or otherwise. You know how Spaniard were back then.

A new element brought in the mix for this movie: mermaids. I was hoping for an homage to The Little Mermaid. I’ll just tell you now, nothing like that here. But there is some singing.

This is yet another one of the many 3D movies out there, but I watched this regular old-fashioned 2D and I was thoroughly entertained. I attempted to imagine certain scenes in 3D, and I imagined a few scenes would be worth the extra coin, but I could do without. If I have the opportunity to see it again, maybe I’ll consider the 3D outing. But those going for the first time or trying to save money on some fun and adventure, stick with the 2D, you should be just fine.

I read some other reviews saying the Pirates franchise is losing it. I disagree, I think it may have hit a new stride. New because the characters are different. I’m looking forward to a 5th, which at this point I don’t know if there will be. But I’d love to see what other trouble Jack and his crew get into and incredibly out of.

As this is a Disney film, it’s safe for families. I think everyone should be entertained. I mean if you saw the first three, you have an idea of what you’re getting in to. So set sail and enjoy while it’s still in a theater near you.