Movie Corner: Advance Review – Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Advance Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Release date (USA): Friday, May 20, 2011

Rating ★★★★★★

*Don’t worry, there aren’t any spoilers…well, not big ones anyways. So go on, read it!*

Can you smell the salty air as your hair whips in the wind while sailing across the ocean blue? Can you taste the rejuvenating waters of the Fountain of Youth? If your imagination isn’t that good, then I highly suggest you get yourself into a theatre on Friday, May 20^th and experience this in amazing 3D on IMAX screens. On Monday, May 16, 2011 at the AMC 16 in Burbank, CA, the Los Angeles Times Hero Complex offered a free screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (POTC4). Needless to say, the line was out the door, around the corner, down the stairs, and then some. Some fans even dressed up as pirates and wenches and of course there were a few who dressed as the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp).

This was the POTC4 display set up at the Burbank AMC16 Theatre - I want one!

If you’ve not watched a Pirates of the Caribbean film, fret not. You can confidentially walk into the theatre without the anxiety of not knowing who these characters are. The writers give you just enough to familiarize yourself with the main/returning characters, while at the same time providing a rich new story to introduce the new characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this film; in fact, I loved it and will go see it again this weekend when it opens. The vibrant 3D really makes you feel like you’re part of the action. (Tip: If you have vision impairment and wear glasses like I do, the 3D glasses are big enough to wear over your frames; however, they get heavy after the first hour. Suggestion: arrive early and find seating towards the back of the theatre – middle seats.)  

Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides (POTC4) far exceeded my expectations of what the story would be. When we last saw Cap’n Jack, he set sail towards the sunset in a little dinghy looking for the Fountain of Youth. I imagined POTC4 would start with us finding Jack sitting on a deserted beach somewhere but instead, we are in London, England. While Jack helps his first mate, Mr. Gibbs (Kevin R. McNally), who is on trial, rumors circulate about another Captain Jack recruiting sailors. Two Jack Sparrows?

Depp outdoes himself as the enigmatic and eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow. From his gritty golden tooth smile, to the way his eyes say so much more than his lips, while not forgetting that lovable swarthy walk with sporadic hand gestures, Depp’s natural charm and sex appeal shine through even the most salted wigs.  While Jack is on the run from the Royal Guard, a familiar face saves him from certain death and reveals there is a ritual in order to gain the powers of the Fountain.

Captain Hector Barbosa (Geoffrey Rush) returns but he’s decided to hang his pirate flag and fly under the colors of the Royal Navy. Yes, the Royal Navy. I was hard pressed to figure out exactly what Barbosa’s plans were. It wasn’t clear until about three-fourths of the way into the film, when he tells the story of how he lost his leg and Jack’s beloved ship, The Black Pearl. Rush is fantastic as the grizzled Barbosa. He gives life to the character with the emphasis on his words, adjusting the pitch of his voice, his mannerisms, and quick wit. Homage is paid to the first Pirates film when we see Barbosa carrying around an apple he so desperately wants to eat. In POTC4, Barbosa finally enjoys sliced apples. I love the small things about films that enhance a character’s story.  

The exotically mysterious Angelica (Penélope Cruz) and Jack have a very torrid and sordid history. Could she be the love of Jack’s life? Even if she is, he’s having second thoughts after she coerces him onto Blackbeard’s (Ian McShane) ship – the Queen Anne’s Revenge – complete with zombies. (BTW, I really hate zombies, but these were…tolerable.) One of my favorite lines came from Jack, “I like the missionary’s position.” Sam Claflin plays the very handsome missionary who is Blackbeard’s prisoner and possible salvation. Can he save Blackbeard’s soul?

With more supernatural elements, including the enchanted sword of Blackbeard and the mythical mermaids, POTC4 is thoroughly entertaining. The mermaids are as beautiful as they are deadly. Serously, did they hire every Victoria’s Secret models to play a mermaid?  Sheesh! Director Rob Marshall’s first go at directing this juggernaut franchise was extraordinarily well done. The story is great – full of twists and surprising moments. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen next, something else happens, and then another thing happens, and then what you expected doesn’t even make an appearance. (FYI – that was my meager attempt at “Jack speak”)

My recommendation – go see the film! It’s a real adventure! It’s amazing how they derived the idea for the franchise from a ride at Disneyland (which by the way is a pretty cool ride.) If you have an IMAX theatre near you, go see it on the big screen. The 3D effects are superb!!

A warning to those who have smaller children, there is some brief nudity, vulgar language, blood and a bit of gore, scary looking zombies, and skeletons…so basically heed the PG-13 rating if you have easily impressionable kids.

I couldn't resist mate...taking a photo of the movie poster that is!

 

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

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