Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

The Pirates of the Caribbean movies are a perfect example of a great first film, followed by three more that try way too hard. The Curse of the Black Pearl was incredible. Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow was perfect. The character was fresh, funny and incredibly witty. Together with great writing, and Geoffrey Rush as the perfect villain, it was one of my favorite movies of the year. For me, the second, Dead Man’s Chest, was by far the worst of the series. It bored me to tears. Literally to sleep - it’s one of the only movies I remember actually falling asleep in. Jack Sparrow was trying to get his drunken, funny, confused way of life back but it just came off as Johnny Depp trying to be as good as he was in the first one. At World’s End was mildly better, but that’s like saying getting your toenails peeled off one by one is better than having all your limbs cut off one by one. They’re both experiences I could live without. The newest one, On Stranger Tides, wasn’t as bad as two or three, but I’m just getting tired of these movies. Jack Sparrow is off to find the fountain of youth but he runs into an old flame, Angelica Malon (Penelope Cruz). Angelica happens to be the first mate of the notorious pirate Blackbeard (played by Ian McShane, by far the best thing in this movie). She also happens to be his daughter, or is she? She and her father are looking for the fountain of youth. There are many obstacles though. Mermaids, and not the Little Mermaid kind, are in their path. The Spanish and the English are also looking for the fountain of youth. Pirates of the Caribbean 4 is nothing special. The character Jack Sparrow is just getting old and predictable. And although there might be a slightly funny line here and there, he’s stale. I’m disappointed because I like Johnny Depp as an actor, but I know he can do better than this. He was spectacular in Chocolat or even in Alice in Wonderland, so when I see him do work like this it disheartens me. All in all, a very mediocre, very disappointing movie.

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures Actors: Johnny Depp (Jack Sparrow), Penelope Cruz (Angelica Malon), Geoffrey Rush (Barbosa), Ian McShane (Blackbeard) Release: Wide Recap: C