PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Pirates of the Caribbean:
On Stranger Tides

Did another instalment really need to be made? And did it need really to be in 3-D? No, not really. How does one deny though the worldwide success of the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise, having grossed over $2.6 billion since 2003? Its Legacy is something to be respected and its legions of Followers should have no problems appreciating this latest Chapter also.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the fourth film in the series from A Jerry Bruckheimer Production and Walt Disney Motion Pictures. Here we follow free-spirited Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he reunites with a mysterious Woman from his past named Angelica (Penélope Cruz) whom he has scorned. The fiery Daughter of tyrannical Blackbeard (Ian McShane) is on a quest with her Father aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge to locate the illusive Fountain of Youth and the two chalices one must drink from in order to live forever.

We never are sure whether Angelica’s feelings towards Jack are genuine or whether she simply wants to use him – with the help of Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and Gibbs (Kevin McNally) - for the benefit of her Father in his conquest. Before Jack and Co. can make their way to the Fountain of Youth, they must survive some internal strife aboard the Ship and also, the dangerous Waters they charter.

Academy Award-nominated Director Rob Marshall definitely understands elegance and style, stepping up fully to the challenge of this estimated $200 million budget Production. He also steps outside his comfort zone of primarily female-oriented stories (CHICAGO, Memoirs of a Geisha, NINE), delivering Pirates of the Caribbean’s sexiest and most dangerous instalment yet to-date, thanks to the explosive chemistry of his Muse Cruz and the phenomenal Depp. And that in itself is reason enough to watch.

The Director leaves his mark with fluidly-choreographed Fight Sequences and drawing a certain Musicality in his Actors’ deliveries. The fire between Jack and Angelica is counterbalanced by the coolness of a romantic Sub-plot between Mermaid Syrena (Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey) and Missionary Philip (Sam Claflin), both equally a pleasure to watch.

Visually, the 3-D processing of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides somehow feels underwhelming, leaving the question whether or not it really adds anything spectacular to the overall experience over a 2-D viewing. Most breathtaking though is a sequence involving a deadly Mermaid attack and if anyone understands a Femme Fatale, it’s definitely Marshall.

Despite occasional lulls in pacing including the eluding to some Father/Daughter tension between Blackbeard and Angelica, this never quite takes flight disappointingly. There are perhaps a few more delays in this journey to the Fountain of the Youth than really are required. Fans need not worry though as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides delivers all the promise of its predecessors. The adventure continues in theatres May 20, 2011. Grade: A-