Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
- Jessica Schuller
Stars:
Johnny Depp.....................................Jack Sparrow
Penelope Cruz..................................Angelica Malon
Geoffrey Rush...................................Captain Barbossa
Ian McShane......................................Blackbeard
Astrid Berges-Frisbey....................Syrena
Kevin McNally....................................Gibbs
Who could have guessed the most anticipated film of the year paired with the world’s biggest star and a bulky $200 million budget could disappoint so brutally? Welcome to Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides.
The film is Disney’s cash-grabbing attempt to breathe new life to the dwindling four-film franchise. The hole-stricken plot follows the return of Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) as he is conned to guide old flame Angelica (Cruz), and her supposed father Blackbeard (McShane) across the high seas to the mystical Fountain of Youth, where Blackbeard plans to drink its water before his ‘time is up’. But Blackbeard’s ship Queen Anne’s Revenge is not the only one racing to reach the fountain. The Spanish and Captain Barbossa - now a privateer working for King George II, are voyaging for the same prize.
It’s near-sickening how much enthusiasm I had for this potential blockbuster compared to the result, a sheer and total mess. Though as much as I would like to, it is hard to fault the actors. Depp is his usual charming and talented-self as Captain Jack Sparrow and carries the film as best he can without predeceasing stars Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly. He doesn’t do this alone though, Penelope Cruz surprisingly owns the screen as feisty lady-pirate Angelica (at least for the first half of the film before she all but disappears), and more fresh blood in the likes of the ‘Pirate all Pirates Fear’ Captain Blackbeard are an indulging mix, but there is only so much an actor can do when the writing is so unbelievably weak.
Though it is slackly attempted, there is no chemistry between the father-daughter duo, and if you add countless plot holes which leave audiences annoyed and scratching their heads, you have yourself the lazy screenwriting from returning writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. Utterly disappointing and unacceptable.
However, the two have managed to redeem a small part of the film thanks to the sub-plot involving beautiful, entrancing - but deadly mermaids. In need of a mermaid tear for the fountain to work, the pirates hunt and catch one (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), and while captured the ensuing romance between her and the ship’s handsome preacher (Sam Claflin) allows momentary enjoyment in an otherwise yawn-fest waste of time. The ending is possibly one of the worst and most unsatisfying climaxes I have ever seen in a film on this scale.
I should note the action and sword fights throughout the film are quite good and by no-means poorly shot, but are ruined because in most cases the scenes are random, pointless and driven by done-to-death uninspired movie cliché’s. While the storyline leaves room for the franchise to expand and the 3D imagery impressive, unless seriously revamped there is not much that can save this sinking ship.
Well shot but ruined by plot-holes and lazy screenwriting...
Johnny Depp.....................................Jack Sparrow
Penelope Cruz..................................Angelica Malon
Geoffrey Rush...................................Captain Barbossa
Ian McShane......................................Blackbeard
Astrid Berges-Frisbey....................Syrena
Kevin McNally....................................Gibbs
Who could have guessed the most anticipated film of the year paired with the world’s biggest star and a bulky $200 million budget could disappoint so brutally? Welcome to Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides.
The film is Disney’s cash-grabbing attempt to breathe new life to the dwindling four-film franchise. The hole-stricken plot follows the return of Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) as he is conned to guide old flame Angelica (Cruz), and her supposed father Blackbeard (McShane) across the high seas to the mystical Fountain of Youth, where Blackbeard plans to drink its water before his ‘time is up’. But Blackbeard’s ship Queen Anne’s Revenge is not the only one racing to reach the fountain. The Spanish and Captain Barbossa - now a privateer working for King George II, are voyaging for the same prize.
It’s near-sickening how much enthusiasm I had for this potential blockbuster compared to the result, a sheer and total mess. Though as much as I would like to, it is hard to fault the actors. Depp is his usual charming and talented-self as Captain Jack Sparrow and carries the film as best he can without predeceasing stars Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly. He doesn’t do this alone though, Penelope Cruz surprisingly owns the screen as feisty lady-pirate Angelica (at least for the first half of the film before she all but disappears), and more fresh blood in the likes of the ‘Pirate all Pirates Fear’ Captain Blackbeard are an indulging mix, but there is only so much an actor can do when the writing is so unbelievably weak.
Though it is slackly attempted, there is no chemistry between the father-daughter duo, and if you add countless plot holes which leave audiences annoyed and scratching their heads, you have yourself the lazy screenwriting from returning writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. Utterly disappointing and unacceptable.
However, the two have managed to redeem a small part of the film thanks to the sub-plot involving beautiful, entrancing - but deadly mermaids. In need of a mermaid tear for the fountain to work, the pirates hunt and catch one (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), and while captured the ensuing romance between her and the ship’s handsome preacher (Sam Claflin) allows momentary enjoyment in an otherwise yawn-fest waste of time. The ending is possibly one of the worst and most unsatisfying climaxes I have ever seen in a film on this scale.
I should note the action and sword fights throughout the film are quite good and by no-means poorly shot, but are ruined because in most cases the scenes are random, pointless and driven by done-to-death uninspired movie cliché’s. While the storyline leaves room for the franchise to expand and the 3D imagery impressive, unless seriously revamped there is not much that can save this sinking ship.
Well shot but ruined by plot-holes and lazy screenwriting...
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