Pirates of the Caribbean : On Stranger Tides

Director: Rob Marshall
Cast: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush and Ian McShane
DVD release: 26 October 2011
Rated: M

Everyone’s hero Captain Jack Sparrow returns to go another round or two for a pound or two. The latest edition of the popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise clings to the true and tried formula, and once more succeeds in being a solid lump of swashbuckling screen entertainment. In fact it’s very good, partly due to the inspired performance of Ian McShane as the fearsome Captain Blackbeard; a vibrant reading even it does lift some of the archaic speech patterns from his Deadwood TV series.

The comely addition of Penélope Cruz as Blackbeard’s daughter heats up the scenery, looking especially fetching in her pirate’s rig. But for his fans Johnny Depp will be the winner, with King Tut eye-make and more acrobatic turns of swordplay than Douglas Fairbanks. He also tries a few Tarzan moves. The other stalwart of the series Geoffrey Rush, made-up face looking like a serious skin disease, keeps on his channeling Robert Newton’s ‘Long John Silver’. In fact Disney’s Treasure Island never had as much action per reel as this latest adventure.

The plot lines rather reflect the original movie in the franchise. Captain Jack (Depp) sets out to find Ponce de Leon’s fabled Fountain of Youth, equally the target of Captain Barbossa (Rush), and some of the Spanish fleet; all competing to secure the healing properties of the magic waters. Into the mix comes Angelica (Cruz) a ravishing but devious pirate lady with remarkable swordplay and figure. She, also in search for the Fountain, connives Jack aboard “Queen Anne's Revenge” the pirate ship under command of infamous Captain Blackbeard (McShane) who also happens to be (probably) Angelica’s dad. It seems our Jack has been involved with Angelica in a past misdemeanor - lucky fellow.

Jack is taken as a prisoner on board Blackbeard’s ship with its zombie crew, but even under the Captain’s harsh supervision manages to continue the hunt for the lost Fountain. Marvellous adventures lie ahead, as they try to escape a school of alluring but bloodthirsty mermaids with Dracula-like dentures. An extra touch of romance is thrown in with a God-fearing missionary (Sam Claflin) falling for one of the more demure mermaids (Astrid Berges-Frisbey). All this moves in a series of fast action scenes to the final arrival at the Fountain, where the competition to claim it becomes a typically wild Pirates of the Caribbean free-for-all.

Jerry Bruckheimer sometimes called ‘master of mediocrity’ at least knows what the public will enjoy. They pay handsomely to see it: The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has brought in $2.6 billion worldwide from the first three films, so somebody is doing something right. Rob Marshall (Chicago, Nine) replaces Gore Verbinski (who directed the first three in the series) to helm the latest adventure. Marshall steps up the the mark especially well. He keeps the action bubbling along virtually non-stop for around 140 minutes screen time. The film doesn’t drag at all - no mean feat - thanks to the tight script by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.

Johnny Depp (The Tourist) again does his thing as the lovable scoundrel; so smoothly now it’s like second nature. Penélope Cruz (Nine) appears to enjoy her foray in the swashbuckling department, adding the required zesty glamour. Yet the thespian award winner on this occasion surely goes to the rugged Ian McShane (Death Race) who makes Blackbeard his own creation. Just a close up of his threatening eyes would scare monkeys out of trees. Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech) clearly enjoys playing Barbossa time after time.

Action scenes are well choreographed, and I particularly enjoyed the acrobatic chase through London streets early in the film; recalling the fast action serials of the old Saturday afternoon matinees. Much depends on spectacular set pieces with CGI working overtime to advantage, and 3D occasionally adds a visual thrill.

Walt Disney himself would be impressed how his Disneyland amusement ride has blossomed into such a money spinner, and entertained so many in the process. On Stranger Tides, becomes a worthy addition to the first outstanding Caribbean excursion.

John Bale