Captain Jack is back for some good ‘turn your brain off’ fun. But don’t expect any new tricks…
What’s It All About?
The lover-ly Johnny Depp is back doing what he does best: playing the loveable rogue that is Captain Jack Sparrow! This time, we’re following him on his quest to find the Fountain of Youth. He is enlisted by King George II to once again team up with Geoffery rush as Captain Barbosa and find the Fountain before the Spanish get their hands on it. But as always, there are some pirates on the trail too. This time it’s Blackbeard (Ian McShane), an old foe, Jack seems to have an endless list, a captain with a mysterious ability to control his cursed ship and those on it, sound familiar? But the Spanish Armarda and Blackbeard aren’t Jack’s main concern, as Angelica (Penelope Cruz), a feisty Spanish pirate and Jack’s former, ahem, “shipmate”, who may or may not be Blackbeard’s daughter is also after the legendary treasure. And so the madness ensues as they all embark on a journey involving a lot of team swapping, double-crossing and trickery as Jack and co indulge in the usual scenes of swash-buckling and acrobatic chases played out to Hans Zimmer’s rousing theme. It follows the same template as the previous ‘Pirates’ films, albeit this time throwing in some mermaids and zombies, but it’s still good fun.
Worth a watch?
With no Kiera Knightly or Orlando Bloom, this film is pretty much ‘The Johnny Depp Show’, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This being the fourth film in the ‘Pirates’ series, he has his charming slurrings, stumblings and ramblings down to a tee. Unlike ‘At World’s End’, this film doesn’t try to follow an overly complicated storyline. It is what it is: good ‘turn your brain off’ fun, watching Captain Jack ‘improvise’ his way out of trouble. Geoffery Rush also has a good turn as Captain Barbosa. It’s nice to actually see him in character rather than just hear his voice coming from under all that make up and CGI! In fact his “hollow leg” was, for me, one of the funniest parts of the film.
Let down?
Ok, I know I just said that the simple story line was a good thing because the franchise isn’t trying to be something it’s not, BUT… the story line is very predictable, and slightly disjointed in places. There could definitely have been something more played out between Captain Jack and Angelica: sexual tension is one thing but it feels like their relationship is being dragged out for the next instalment. Oh yes! The film is left completely open ended for ‘Pirates 5’. I can’t help but feel that Disney are beginning to clutch at straws.
So overall…
As with most film franchises these days, the original film is still the best, but if you’re a ‘Pirates’ fan, it’s definitely worth a watch. If you’re looking for something to get you thinking, this is NOT the film for you. It’s classic Pirates of the Caribbean, just with more Johnny Depp! It’s fun and entertaining, but I wouldn’t call it enthralling.
5/10
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