Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Director: Rob Marshall
Actors: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane, Kevin McNally, Sam Claflin, Astrid Berges-Frisbey

Johnny Depp is back as Captain Jack Sparrow, who's forced by the sensual Angelica, a pirate with whom he shares a dubious past, to join the Queen Anne's Revenge, the ship of the dreadful Blackbeard. The pirates set out a journey in search of the Fountain of Youth. Unfortunately, Jack has to do it without the help of Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, but the wonderful Geoffrey Rush returns as Barbossa, who once again is on Sparrow's tail.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is directed by Rob Marshall, known for his musicals Chicago and Nine. The story of the new Pirates is being told on a smaller scale, with a clear storyline, and without the complicated subplots, which were pushed too far in At World's End. Director Gore Verbinski created a nice dark tone and amazing but also over the top visual effects with the previous three films. Marshall delivers in that aspect less spectacle, which works for this film though. On Stranger Tides is funnier with nice performances, including Penélope Cruz as the female pirate Angelica. Ian McShane is Sparrow's dangerous rival Blackbeard. McShane is a bit of a let down, he doesn't bring his character enough weight and power, which is needed for a flick of this magnitude.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is less spectacular, compared to the previous over the top films, but it does deliver comedy and old fashioned swash-buckling adventure with new elements (in the form of zombies and beautiful mermaids). Obviously, it's Johnny Depp who's the heart and soul of the flick, with his outstanding performance of the legendary Captain Jack Sparrow.



Written by Reggy
May 17, 2011

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