Cinema Review - Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Another Summer blockbuster season embarks upon us and this inevitably brings us yet another adventure from everyone's favourite fancy dress character Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp). That's right, Pirates 4 has been unleashed and there has been somewhat of an overhaul in the casting department, with the mushy Bloom and Knightley removed, replaced by ballsy Penelope Cruz and up-and-coming Brit Sam Claflin. Following the immense debacle that was the third outing, could the Pirates franchise rise from the ashes and become yet again a major force?


This time around we are on a quest with Jack Sparrow to find the elusive Fountain Of Youth. Said to give eternal to whoever drinks from it, Jack has a task on his hands as Blackbeard (Ian McShane) and his daughter (Penelope Cruz) are the ones who want to get there following Jack's capture. 


Throw into the mix the Spaniards chasing for the glory and the return of a Pirates regular, leading the English, Barbossa (Jeffrey Rush). But all is not just a simple journey direct to the Fountain Of Youth to have a drink and ta-da, your are immortal, no, a tear of a mermaid is ultimately required to secure a life so long. 


Cue a fantastic scene in which Blackbeard's crew, along with prisoners Sparrow and clergyman Philip (Claflin) hunt for a mermaid to capture and find themselves in somewhat predicament, the mermaids are not just beautiful, soft creatures, they are in fact violent and menacing. After an intense battle for survival, Blackbeard manages to capture a mermaid and the journey continues to the Fountain. 


With a mermaid captured and Jack Sparrow leading Blackbeard to the Fountain, who will gain eternal life? Will Barbossa manage to get there before anyone, or will it be the Spaniards who prevail? You'll have to watch it to find out!


Johnny Depp's favourite character once again finds himself in all sorts of bother in this instalment and despite it being the usual routine, so to speak, it is still heavily entertaining to see Jack escaping from the grasp of the British and running riot. The age old term 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' certainly applies with the presentation of Sparrow but certainly Pirates 4 did good to refresh some of the faces. With the gushing love story out the window, to be replaced by one on the fringe of the storyline Jerry Bruckheimer and his team have clearly gone all out to ensure the franchise heads back to its roots, with more swashbuckling and sheer fun. 


For its pluses though Pirates does have a few flaws. With chemistry between Depp and Cruz having always been electrifying you can't help but feel slightly hard done by, as they clearly do not get enough alone time to delve into Sparrow and Angelica's love roots. This would have helped to bring out a new side in Jack that would have been intriguing, and this instead is replaced by a mediocre villain in the form of Blackbeard. Described as the most feared pirate of all, Blackbeard is far from this, showcased from a measly one kill all film and a standard performance from a usually impressive Mcshane. 


Needless to say, Pirates 4 was certainly a risk in terms of it being a franchise that seemed to be running out of steam but it looks like the life has returned and we could yet see more of Jack Sparrow in the near future. A brilliant score, some good swashbuckling fun and a lead who seems to carry the film on his own can only end in success. 


Film rating: 3 out of 5 stars


The lowdown: Jack Sparrow still has that fighting spirit in him and no doubt the crowds would yet again flock to see him on his next outing following another breezy performance from Depp.