The following movie review does contain spoilers, so don’t read if you want to go to cinema spoiler-free!!
The new Pirates venture has been a topic of controversy, some believing the franchise should be finished and others excited to see Johnny Depp don the Sparrow costume yet once again. Disney decided to change up the cast; crew, director and script in an effort to gain back the trust and support of the loyal fans that have stuck with the series throughout.
The newest film starts with an old familiar sound of the Pirates theme and holds onto the suspense of seeing Captain Sparrow for the first time by teasing the viewer until Jack’s eyes finally peek out from his spectacles to a roar of laughter. A strong beginning that includes McNally as the wonderful first mate Gibbs is chalk full of action and moves to a much quicker pace than we have seen with the past two films. This is highlighted by a peppering of Jack’s jokes and snide remarks (such as calling The King of England, “Your Highny”), a cameo by the beautiful Dame Judy Dench and Depp’s run across the banquet table that is reminiscent of the Mad Hatter tramp in Wonderland.
The usual entrance of Captain Barbossa is again just as grand when Rush enters the palace, but as the film continues, Geoffrey seems almost bored in his role except in his one dramatic scene with Depp which you wish would go on much longer, but ends all too soon. The absence of Jack’s “crew” is truly felt as Disney made an attempt to replace them with new “comedic” support that seems to fail in all but one scene in which Jack convinces the crew to Mutiny Blackbeard’s ship. Kevin McNally as Gibbs is the wonderful bright spot in the whole scheme of things, looking refreshed and happy to be back in his boots, but it “conveniently” written out of much of the storyline.
The much anticipated Zombies and mermaids are almost non-existent; if you blink you will miss them. The four “undead” crew members of Blackbeard’s ship appear only for a few seconds and all but one mermaid are featured in one short two minute scene. The mermaid storyline would have been a “much better” choice to follow, beautiful and alluring and yet wonderfully frightening, many will be upset by the absence of them in the rest of the film.
While most believe the new “love“ story is between Phillip and his mermaid, the true romance set by Ted and Terry is between Jack and Angelica. Surprisingly Jack admits to Gibbs that he has had, “stirrings ok yes feelings” for Blackbeard’s daughter. In the end Jack fights his urge to comply with these “stirrings” and leaves Angelica on the same desert island that we have grown to love throughout the series. Ian as Blackbeard proves to be wonderful even though not scary, but charming and falls to his supposed “end” in a very predictable way in which the actor’s true dramatic talent shows through.
Penelope as the beautiful Angelica is yet another character that follows in Elizabeth Swan’s footsteps. The portrayal is one that fans will either love or hate. Personally, this viewer did not care at all for Cruz and believes that even Selma Hayek would have been a better choice for the role. The stunt double for Penelope however, deserves wonderful kudos for the sword fighting choreography, and Cruz as well for her part in the action scene.
As a whole, the film is much faster paced with wonderful action and a much simpler script to follow, as in the original Pirates. Johnny is charming and of course is never short with the one liners. The end of the story is open with no real “ending” at all, but just a pause waiting for the next film to pick up where this one left off. Johnny and pirates fans will relish in that “Familiar” pirate/Sparrow feeling, but will the main audience love this installment? That is yet to be seen….
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Thank-you Lizzy beautifully written..Can’t wait to see this POTC4 moive..only three more days..Yeah!!!..all my hopes ginny
Thank-you Lizzy beautifully written..Can’t wait to see this POTC4 moive..only three more days..Yeah!!!..all my hopes ginny
:S aw I hope its awesome it has to be, thanks for the review ah 🙂 3 days left
:S aw I hope its awesome it has to be, thanks for the review ah 🙂 3 days left
I can’t wait for this weekend. I’m sure I will love it.!
I can’t wait for this weekend. I’m sure I will love it.!
Well,all my good wishes to Pirates 4. I hope that the new crew can well substitute the old one.
Love You Captain Jack Sparrow.
Well,all my good wishes to Pirates 4. I hope that the new crew can well substitute the old one.
Love You Captain Jack Sparrow.
I cannot see it until atleast in 1 month and a half later. nooooo . till then I m not in that mood that I am now. how can I wait this long? I think till then I understand alot of things that I want to be suprised by seeing it myself. 🙁
I cannot see it until atleast in 1 month and a half later. nooooo . till then I m not in that mood that I am now. how can I wait this long? I think till then I understand alot of things that I want to be suprised by seeing it myself. 🙁
Wow, that’s not very positive, now is it?
To be honest, I don’t really care! :p
And not to make anyone jealous, but… I get to see the movie tonight!
Wow, that’s not very positive, now is it?
To be honest, I don’t really care! :p
And not to make anyone jealous, but… I get to see the movie tonight!
Nice review, but we’re all intilted to our own opinion. 3 more days left! I’m watching it in IMAX 3D! This is going to be awesome! I have a t-shirt with Captain Jack on it, the magazine with his beautiful face, the LEGO game which came with a LEGO Jack Sparrow, and the soundtrack. The only bad thing about this week are my allergies!! Awful, awful…but get to stay home today!
Eva
Nice review, but we’re all intilted to our own opinion. 3 more days left! I’m watching it in IMAX 3D! This is going to be awesome! I have a t-shirt with Captain Jack on it, the magazine with his beautiful face, the LEGO game which came with a LEGO Jack Sparrow, and the soundtrack. The only bad thing about this week are my allergies!! Awful, awful‚Ķbut get to stay home today! ÓÅñ
Eva
Cinema on the port bow !!!
Cinema on the port bow !!!
I am back from cinema and I like IT ! And I love cpt. Jack. 🙂
I am back from cinema and I like IT ! And I love cpt. Jack. 🙂
Saw it last night and it was goooood 😉
Saw it last night and it was goooood 😉
Saw it today! Loved it!..Loved it!..loved it!….Johnny Depp you are the cream of the crop! Everybody did an excellent job….Johnny and Penelope sizzle…can’t wait to see it again and praying for a 5th.
Saw it today! Loved it!..Loved it!..loved it!….Johnny Depp you are the cream of the crop! Everybody did an excellent job….Johnny and Penelope sizzle…can’t wait to see it again and praying for a 5th.
can u say how was it excactly? 🙂 I mean how was it Compare to other pirates???
can u say how was it excactly? 🙂 I mean how was it Compare to other pirates???
Hi Mina, I found it to be closer in feel to the first pirates. There were special effects but less of them as it was more character driven. It was great to have Captain Jack in most scenes and the chemistry between Angelica and him was the best! He spends more time on land and it felt more believable. It’s very funny too…Stay after the credits as there is a very funny scene….Could definitely lead to a fifth.
Hi Mina, I found it to be closer in feel to the first pirates. There were special effects but less of them as it was more character driven. It was great to have Captain Jack in most scenes and the chemistry between Angelica and him was the best! He spends more time on land and it felt more believable. It’s very funny too…Stay after the credits as there is a very funny scene….Could definitely lead to a fifth.
sorry, forgot to add that I saw it in 3D but I think my next viewing will be in 2D as I feel it doesn’t need it. Captain Jack back on the big screen is perfection in itself!
sorry, forgot to add that I saw it in 3D but I think my next viewing will be in 2D as I feel it doesn’t need it. Captain Jack back on the big screen is perfection in itself!
oohh great. thank you. although I loved 2 & 3 as well as 1 🙂 is there a romantic scene after their dancing scene? I m worried about that a little 😉 and I know he fight with himself( or someone like him) I m sooooo excited. I ll do anything to watch it next week 🙂 I hope I can find it
oohh great. thank you. although I loved 2 & 3 as well as 1 🙂 is there a romantic scene after their dancing scene? I m worried about that a little 😉 and I know he fight with himself( or someone like him) I m sooooo excited. I ll do anything to watch it next week 🙂 I hope I can find it
@mina I believe they do have a romantic scene after their tango because from all the videos I’ve watched so far, Jack is on top of Angelica. I think I spoiled myself to death with all of this. I mean, even the LEGO game has almost the entire movie in it, so I sort of know what happens. I’m watching it tomorrow and after school I’m watching all three before heading off to the movies! I am all set for this!
Eva
@mina I believe they do have a romantic scene after their tango because from all the videos I’ve watched so far, Jack is on top of Angelica. Óêç I think I spoiled myself to death with all of this. I mean, even the LEGO game has almost the entire movie in it, so I sort of know what happens. I’m watching it tomorrow and after school I’m watching all three before heading off to the movies! I am all set for this!
Eva
Mina, Captain Jack and Angelica have a love hate relationship through the whole movie which I thoroughly enjoyed. I adore all of the pirates 1 2 and 3 but with this one its mostly Captain Jack which is why I loved it. Phillip and Serena’s story is a nice adition and both did a great job, very heart felt and it fits in nicely without weighing the story down. Have to see it again for bits I may have missed due to the trance I found myself in on account of Captain Jack’s beauty.
Mina, Captain Jack and Angelica have a love hate relationship through the whole movie which I thoroughly enjoyed. I adore all of the pirates 1 2 and 3 but with this one its mostly Captain Jack which is why I loved it. Phillip and Serena’s story is a nice adition and both did a great job, very heart felt and it fits in nicely without weighing the story down. Have to see it again for bits I may have missed due to the trance I found myself in on account of Captain Jack’s beauty.
thank you dear Mel and Evangeline. I HAVE to see it this week. I can t wait more than that. 🙂 Johnny love u
thank you dear Mel and Evangeline. I HAVE to see it this week. I can t wait more than that. 🙂 Johnny love u
Just got back from seeing On Stranger Tides..I’m ready for number 5 Johnny!…Love my Jack and you..wish I could give you a thank-you hug Johnny!…have a feeling your reading this 😀 …all my hopes ginny
Just got back from seeing On Stranger Tides..I’m ready for number 5 Johnny!…Love my Jack and you..wish I could give you a thank-you hug Johnny!…have a feeling your reading this 😀 …all my hopes ginny
I saw Pirates 4 and loved it. It is different from the others but in a good way. Captain Jack is back in great form and I think Angelique is a very good match for him. I am glad I stayed through the ending credits. It gives a lot to think about and I am looking forward to future Pirates sequels.
I saw Pirates 4 and loved it. It is different from the others but in a good way. Captain Jack is back in great form and I think Angelique is a very good match for him. I am glad I stayed through the ending credits. It gives a lot to think about and I am looking forward to future Pirates sequels.
Ah I saw it yesterday and I liked it.. Johnny is amazing as always, funny 🙂 he looks gorgeous… but I didnt like the story a lot.. theres more jack sparrow but something is missing there …just an opinion ^^ I firmly believe that there shouldnt be more Pirate movies… i love Johnny with all my heart but I think this was a good ending 🙂
Ah I saw it yesterday and I liked it.. Johnny is amazing as always, funny 🙂 he looks gorgeous… but I didnt like the story a lot.. theres more jack sparrow but something is missing there …just an opinion ^^ I firmly believe that there shouldnt be more Pirate movies… i love Johnny with all my heart but I think this was a good ending 🙂
🙂 I liked POTC 4 🙂 Capt. Jack and Angelica! & those mermaids, omg lol it was something! Probably didn’t need to be in 3D though! But oh well 🙂
🙂 I liked POTC 4 🙂 Capt. Jack and Angelica! & those mermaids, omg lol it was something! Probably didn’t need to be in 3D though! But oh well 🙂
I just want to say that On Stranger Tides was perfect! I probably was the only one who actually got teary eyed when it was over because it was absolutely wonderful! If you are reading this, Mr. Depp, I want you to know that I am truly grateful for having you do another Pirates movie and making it the best! Thank you so very much! Many thanks to the rest of the cast and crew! Thank you!
I am already anticipating the next one!
Eva
I just want to say that On Stranger Tides was perfect! I probably was the only one who actually got teary eyed when it was over because it was absolutely wonderful! If you are reading this, Mr. Depp, I want you to know that I am truly grateful for having you do another Pirates movie and making it the best! Thank you so very much! Many thanks to the rest of the cast and crew! Thank you! Óêí
I am already anticipating the next one!
Eva
Just needed to say that I have seen my second screening of On Stranger Tides now and that I loved it even more, if thats possible. This is an extremely well made entertaining movie and Johnny Depp shines brilliantly! I too should have said Thankyou to Johnny, Penelope and the whole cast before in a small chance they may read this. Rob Marshal as well as being a beautiful human being has done wonders with this. I actually had a moment sitting in the theatre before it started , looking at the screen, feeling so grateful to all for their hard work in bringing this to us. Johnny you bring so much joy to peoples lives and I wish I could tell that to your face one day. I love you so much. Will be wearing out OST dvd as I have done with The Tourist. xxx
Just needed to say that I have seen my second screening of On Stranger Tides now and that I loved it even more, if thats possible. This is an extremely well made entertaining movie and Johnny Depp shines brilliantly! I too should have said Thankyou to Johnny, Penelope and the whole cast before in a small chance they may read this. Rob Marshal as well as being a beautiful human being has done wonders with this. I actually had a moment sitting in the theatre before it started , looking at the screen, feeling so grateful to all for their hard work in bringing this to us. Johnny you bring so much joy to peoples lives and I wish I could tell that to your face one day. I love you so much. Will be wearing out OST dvd as I have done with The Tourist. xxx
I just saw OST and is very good just because I went with low expectation due to the bad reviews.I think Jack is less verbal and more physical now, so I miss the witty funny Jack. Is also weird that he’s the main character but at the same time he feels aloof and kind of distant or unattached to what’s happening, is like he don’t care.On the good side he’s still as handsome as ever even less wrinkles than pirate 3, Lol..but sadly I didn’t felt the connection with the new Jack..On another note, why is it that Jdepp org. administrators don’t change that old Mad hatter pic at the top ? the site seems abandon and outdated ..
I just saw OST and is very good just because I went with low expectation due to the bad reviews.I think Jack is less verbal and more physical now, so I miss the witty funny Jack. Is also weird that he’s the main character but at the same time he feels aloof and kind of distant or unattached to what’s happening, is like he don’t care.On the good side he’s still as handsome as ever even less wrinkles than pirate 3, Lol..but sadly I didn’t felt the connection with the new Jack..On another note, why is it that Jdepp org. administrators don’t change that old Mad hatter pic at the top ? the site seems abandon and outdated ..
Saw On Stranger Tides for the second time and love it even more …So great to see My Jack !.. Thank-you for playing Jack again!!love you Johnny…(saw my favorite ring )…all my hopes ginny
Saw On Stranger Tides for the second time and love it even more …So great to see My Jack !.. Thank-you for playing Jack again!!love you Johnny…(saw my favorite ring )…all my hopes ginny
I liled very much captain Jack Sparrow,Angelica,the mermaid,Barbossa,the paisages,the piratesships,the beachs,every is precious.
CONGRATULATION
I liled very much captain Jack Sparrow,Angelica,the mermaid,Barbossa,the paisages,the piratesships,the beachs,every is precious.
CONGRATULATION
went vue cinema lastnight not 3d but really enjoyed film bring on pirate,s 5 johny dep one hell of an actor but pse bring back the origional crew with of course resurect the black pearl
went vue cinema lastnight not 3d but really enjoyed film bring on pirate,s 5 johny dep one hell of an actor but pse bring back the origional crew with of course resurect the black pearl