Saturday, May 21, 2011

Movie Review: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES


I planned to be out of town on business but things change and I found myself wanting for entertainment and decided to battle the crowds to view the new Hollywood blockbuster. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a 2011 American adventure fantasy film and the fourth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. In the film, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is joined by Angelica (Spanish Actress Penélope Cruz) in his search for the Fountain of Youth, confronting the infamous, real-life, legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane). There are traditional and 3D formats. Being traditional by nature, I chose not to watch the film in 3D.

When vacationing in Hawaii, I saw the ship Queen Anne's Revenge at anchor in Oahu (Koolina) when they were filming the movie last year and even though it looked very little like the Black Pearl, it was obviously a Disney ship. I thought that Blackbeard the pirate sailed on the Witch of Endor, but perhaps Disney wanted to make the legendary murderer seem just a bit less Satanic.

The infamous Captain Jack Sparrow encounters historical figures, mermaids and a more or less mundane (for those who have seen the first three installments of Pirates of the Caribbean) march toward the Fountain of Youth. The plot of On Stranger Tides seemed to be a bit strained, as if the writers were trying to push the formula without allowing the story to flow. Maybe there were simply too many characters?

Yes, I'm a sucker for a pretty face and I thought that the mermaid, Syrena (25 year old Spanish actress Astrid Berges-Frisbey) stole the movie for hotness. Tamara, the mermaid queen (24 year old Australian actress and model Gemma Ward) was a close second. Penelope Cruz played Penelope Cruz and I thought that her acting was very two-dimensional. That may have been the script's fault more than Cruz's.

If you like these movies, based on the Disneyland ride -- and I do, you won't want to miss this one. Movie Insider estimated the budget for this feature film at $200,000,000. It looked expensive to make and nothing seemed to be spared on sets or talent but even at that, it only rates a solid 6 out of 10 to me.



5 comments:

Euripides said...

Thanks for the low down. We'll end up watching the thing, just because of the franchise, but I've already set my expectations low so I'm not disappointed.

Employment Experts said...

I think this is the first review that makes the claim that this film succeeds at anything. I know it is the first one that suggests the leads are still having fun and not mailing these parts in like priority.

Free Online Astrology said...

well well well..despite extremely negative reviews, absence of orlando and keira ..it still managed very good collections and a decent 90.2 million dollars in U.S..although 3d prices helped itz cause one cant deny johnnydepp’s box office pull..this shows there’s no pirates without jacksparrow..:)

Atlanta Roofing said...

It’s amazing! They always produce a great movie. Johnny Depp is always a great actor. It’s just sad that both Keira and Orlando are not cast anymore on this movie.It’s amazing! They always produce a great movie. Johnny Depp is always a great actor. It’s just sad that both Keira and Orlando are not cast anymore on this movie.

Great Outdoors said...

The movie was great. I saw it Friday, and I liked it. It seemed to be missing something or had too much of something but I really liked it. I loved the Mermaids!! Johnny is wonderful of course!

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