Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Review
by Homer Yen (homeryen88 AT gmail DOT com)May 25th, 2011
"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" - Jack is Still Nimble and Jack is Still Quick
by Homer Yen
(c) 2011
The beginning 30 minutes is definitively the best and most fun part of the film. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is taken into custody. But, in a Jack-Sparrowy way, he flees the scene via a nicely plotted circus-like escape out of a heavily guarded palace, down crowded city streets, and in and out of a boisterous pub. There he meets the fairer-than-fair Angelica (Penelope Cruz) and learns about an urgent quest to find the elusive Fountain of Youth.
Unfortunately, it kind of slows down a little from there. The PopcornMeter has dropped a few notches as this film scales down the overall over-the-top action seen in the last film. In this fourth installment, the blockbuster elements are still there. And for those with the extra cash, you can watch it in 3D (which is how I viewed it) although you would probably enjoy it just as much on the brighter 2D version in the next theatre over. But it's not quite as fresh and original as the trilogy.
This time, there is a race to get to the Fountain of Youth. The Spaniards want to find it to solidify the legacy of their very own Ponce De Leon. The English want it for reasons that escape me but I would imagine that it would have something to do with King George wanting to look more dashing than his current Georgie Porgie self. Aligned with England, we learn, is Capt Barbosa (Geoffrey Rush) who, with a peg-leg and severely rumpled facial skin, looks as if he could probably benefit from a drink from the Fountain as well. He certainly looked better when he was a cursed skeleton in the first installment ("Curse of the Black Pearl"). And then there is Captain Jack and Angelica teaming up until either one of them sees fit to abandon the other. It comes across as "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" with scoops of Jack Sparrow goofiness and charm generously applied.
Though scaled down, there is a surprising level of wit and charm that oozes through the film.
I liked Penolpe Cruz's character who, as the pretty face in the film, gets an upgraded role as the daughter of the fearsome pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), both of whom can handle a sword with the best of the swashbucklers. Jack himself gets greater opportunities to get himself in and out of trouble. However, did anyone notice that he has possibly "jumped the shark?" I feel as if Jack is less of a pirate here. The original codes of piracy (which more or less revolves around selfishness) has been thrown out in this film. Jack is a team-player and more considerate. He still has hidden motives and there is a purpose behind his actions. But, he isn't as much the raffish scalawag that we have come to know and love. However, scaled down, there are components of the story that deserved more attention such as Barbosa's quest for retribution and Blackbeard's awesome forward-flame-throwing cannons.
Admittedly, I've enjoyed all of the PotC installments. Each of the films embodies the definition of a summer blockbuster - big stars, big special effects, big props, big absurdity. Captain Jack Sparrow still baffles us with his antics and we are still not sure whether his success comes from sheer genius or just a good run of dumb luck. Whatever the case, it's certainly nice to see him bluff and scurry and swordfight and talk his way in and out of trouble.
Grade: B
S: 1 out of 3
L: 0 out of 3
V: 1 out of 3
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