Review of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) by Doug N — 27 May 2018

"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides".

Review by: Doug Nau.

Rating: *****/5.

Directed by: Rob Marshall.

Produced by: Jerry Bruckheimer.

Based loosely on the Novel By: Tim Powers "On Stranger Tides".

Written by: Ted Elliott.

Terry Rossio.

Starring: Johnny Depp.

Penélope Cruz.

Ian McShane.

Geoffrey Rush.

Kevin McNally.

Sam Claflin.

Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey.

Greg Ellis.

Damian O'Hare.

Stephen Graham.

Óscar Jaenada.

Gemma Ward.

Richard Griffiths.

Bryson Carvalho.

Keith Richards.

Judi Dench.

Derek Mears.

Sebastian Armesto.

Anton Lesser.

Roger Allam.

Paul Bazely.

Score Composed by: Hans Zimmer.

Additional Music Composed by: Eric Whitacre.

Hila Plitmann.

Eduardo Cruz.

Geoff Zanelli.

Rodrigo y Gadriela.

The fourth and standalone installment of the film franchise and based loosely on Tim Power's novel On Stranger Tides picks up were the last film left off with Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) heading out to find the Fountain of Youth. We find him in London looking for a crew to take him to the Fountain where he cross path (and swords) with Angelica (Penélope Cruz) the ravishing pirate whom shares a dubious past and his love interest, who forces Jack aboard the Queen's Annes Revenge, the ship of legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane). Jack finds himself on a unexpected journey the fabled Fountain of Youth and must use all his wiles to deal with the barbarous Blackbeard and his crew of zombies.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides restores the franchises sense of entertainment values of the original film, and the fact the film's screenplay by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio aspires for a more clear and coherent plot is a big sign the creative team behind the film has started from scratch and not letting the same mistakes that happened with the last two previous films by them not going overboard with plot and effects. Speaking which the visual effects in this installment unlike the last two films do not over power the from the films main plot and action but enhances the sequences that it will just fly right over your head that is computer graphics The action is also while not quite as epic as At World's End but is still quite awesome and edge off your seat excitement especially the battle at the Fountain of Youth.

The cast were all terrific including the newcomers to the series bring such a breathe of new energy to the franchise. Penelope Cruz, who brings much spunk, sex appeal, and feisty attitude as Angelica. Ian McShane is also fantastic as the cruel and menacing Blackbeard, although my only nitpicking flaw I had with his origin could have been further developed, because he is not as sympathetic of a villain like Barbossa and Davy Jones, but I think that he wasn't suppose to be because underneath his menacing ways is someone who will do anything to show what supposed bad ass of villain when he is afraid of his own demise.

The returning cast which include Geoffrey Rush and Kevin McNally are as usual great in their roles and Johnny Depp once again knock it out of the park as Captain Jack Sparrow. The opening scene with Jack dressed up as the judge is one of the most brilliant comedic scene Johnny Depp as done in his career and the best scene in the whole movie. It only proves just how much of a genius character actor of our time. I personally don't see how anyone could say its tired-some and boring, to those people I've you probably don't have any sense of humor even if it hit you in the face.

The score composed by Hans Zimmer with additional music composed by Eric Whitacre, Hila Plitmann, Eduardo Cruz, Geoff Zanelli, and the Mexican musical duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, who also performed some of the music in the film. The keeps maintains the original themes from the first film but Hans Zimmer give it a fresh new spin with a little flavor of Mexican Salsa music and acoustic guitar to the underscore. My favorite tracks include "Guilty of Being Innocent of Jack Sparrow", "Angelica", "Mutiny", "The Pirate that Should Not Be", "Mermaids", "Palm Tree Escape", Blackbeard", "On Stranger Tides", and "End Credit".

So overall this installment is the best pirates film since the original and a wonderful return to the sense of fun and wacky humor with a more coherent plot to follow that was the main problem from the last two films. The cast as a whole were terrific and the newcomers breathe new energy and life to the series including Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane. While, my only nitpicking is Blackbeard's original could have been a bit more explanation but for the material Ian received for this role is really great. The visual effect add a nice touch to the sequences and do not over power the main action like in the last two films. This is obviously the start of a brand new set of trilogy for the franchise.