Cannes Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
Tolerable, but forgettable
Photo: Walt Disney Pictures
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is not essential viewing. The plot has a few twists and turns, but the scripts have always been rather imaginative, it's the films that got too big for their own good. In that sense, this fourth installment is more in line with the first film in the franchise in that it isn't as over-the-top when it comes to CG effects and open sea whirlpools. However, it's right in line with the previous two sequels in that it is more about a treasure hunt amidst massive sets and the introduction of characters you aren't given a chance to care one lick about considering you never get to know anything about them outside of the path that led them to becoming part of this particular story.
The cast includes Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, Stephen Graham, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Sam Claflin, Keith Richards, Richard Griffiths and Judi Dench. For more information on this film including pictures, trailers and a detailed synopsis choose from the following menu.
Review
"Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" is a Walt Disney Pictures release, directed by Rob Marshall and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence, some frightening images, sensuality and innuendo. The running time is 2 hours 17 minutes.
As the end of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End alluded to, this time we're on the hunt for the Fountain of Youth and there's a race to be the first to get there. The Spanish have been tipped off to its whereabouts, the British have heard the same rumors and have, for some reason, sought Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) to get it for them and the infamous Blackbeard (the perfectly cast Ian McShane) and his hard-to-figure daughter Angelica (Penelope Cruz) are also joining the hunt and have captured Jack Sparrow to help them.
Of course, there are backstabs, double crosses and ulterior motives for just about everyone involved. Even those whom you think you know why they're searching for the Fountain prove to have a surprise in store. Unfortunately, these surprises aren't "exciting" as much as they are plot twists meant to hide the fact there isn't much to this film outside of the treasure hunt at its core.
Returning screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio do their best to make up for the absence of a love story (nope, no Keira Knightley or Orlando Bloom) by adding a throwaway back-story to Jack and Angelica and then wedge in a romantic aside between a Bible thumper named Philip (Sam Claflin) and a lovely mermaid named Syrena (Astrid Berges-Frisbey). None of this moved me in any way. None of these characters are fleshed out to the point you even care. Philip is a non-entity in the grand scheme of things and the mermaid is just there because she's needed for the ritual that must be performed at the Fountain. To make her a love interest is just an added plot point that's not needed.
As for Angelica, I mean absolutely no offense to Penelope Cruz, but nearly every time she's cast in an English speaking role everything that's great about her work in all of Pedro Almodovar's films and Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona goes away. She turns into just another pretty face. Cruz is a massive talent in her native language, but when it comes to English she's wooden and still searching for inflection.
Then there's Depp as Jack Sparrow, a role I feel he can roll out of bed, apply massive amounts of black mascara and perform without a second thought at this point. I say this because that's pretty much how it seems here, but none of this is Depp's fault. The screenplay does him no favors advancing the mystique of Jack Sparrow. When he's not reciting standard lines to forward the narrative, he's uttering tired one-liners that only serve to remind you how interesting and fun he was when you first met him in 2003.
This all sounds quite negative when in fact On Stranger Tides isn't entirely lost at sea. It's a franchise that seems to have simply found a steady course and even a change in director can't faze the franchise as Rob Marshall (Chicago, Nine) brings nothing in the way of a personal stamp that would make you think this wasn't just a dialed-back and bored Gore Verbinski effort. Outside of what sounded like a few key changes from Hans Zimmer's score, this film fits right in with the rest of them. If this were a primetime TV show this would simply be episode four, though the first film remains the only one worth playing during Sweeps Week.
Yet, since this is a feature film and not a TV show we rightly hold it to a higher standard, which is where it begins to grow tiresome with feelings of "been there, done that." Sparrow hadn't even sought the Fountain of Youth in previous installments, but somehow it seems as if he had already found it and we are now watching a repeat.
When it comes down to it all, you're either going to see this film or you're not. At this point I don't think there is any convincing you one way or another. Whether you're a Pirates fan or not, this film will not change your mind. But if you're looking for an installment to dial things back a bit from the overweight monster the franchise had become, this is it. Perhaps had the two previous sequels not been made this one would play a little better, but it is now quite clear the screenwriters have run out of ideas to make Sparrow any more interesting and his adventures are now just as ho-hum.
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It's a shame that this franchise could not be rescued. The trailer looked pretty average and after reading this review I doubt I will check this film out.
I was unconvinced all along about the film after the last two entries and now that reviews are starting to emerge I'm quite happy to put the whole franchise away and forget about it.
I actually saw an advance screening of this and I loved it
Can you elaborate, or tell me us where you disagree with my review? May help others considering going to see it.
I've been keeping track of reviews. 27 positive reviews and 6 negative ones seem quite promising for this movie.
I want to see this less and less. Really sad where this franchise and this brilliant, once-in-a-decade character have gone after the wonderful first film. Looking back at it, they should have just left it right there.
Hey Brad! Did you see the movie in 3D? I've heard speculation that the 3D is amazing I would want to know if that's true! thanks soo much!
Yeah I did, and the 3D is virtually non-existent except for a couple of scenes, primarily the "sword through the door" scene you've seen in the trailer. I would never suggest anyone pay the premium 3D price for this one.
I felt that the movie was action packed, had great acting, and was just plain hilarious. I also thought that this movie was well worth checking out in 3D
Sounds much better than At World's End. I've got screening passes for this on tuesday, what I've been hearing has me curious but not very excited.
I agree with your comment on Penelope Cruz.
We know she's a great actress, but she really needs to act in spanish! She becomes pretty much average doing english language characters.
I haven't seen it, so you may be on point, but you posted yesterday that you'd be getting less than 5 hours sleep after a long flight to battle with the crowds and press corps to see this. Is that fair to this movie (or any movie)? Sounds like you were tired and understandably crabby.
Wasn't tired at all and actually had the absolute best seat in the house. Dead center and with plenty of leg room for my 6'6" frame. It was the seat they give the celebs during the red carpet screenings. Was actually the most comfortable I've been for any movie since getting here.
what gade did you give the previous 3 films? (interested 2 know b/c i enjoyed 3 very much while most ppl seemed to hate it so hopefully i'll enjoy this one as well.)
Somehow I doubt this is as good as Davey Jones and the heart, or Calypso. But as long as it is as good as 1, I'll enjoy it. Actually, 1/2 as good as first equals enjoyment.
I thought the Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightley love plot didn't really matter, so I won't care about it's absence in this film.
I never watch blockbuster films in 3D…unless I think it's actually worth it. PotC is the only franchise with movie I've rated A- and above, so I hope I won't end up disappointed.
Thanks for the review though, Brad. I'll try to lower my expectations a bit.
I'll always remember this day as the day I last thought about seeing this movie.
p.s. this site is not kind to google chrome…
Depending on how this plays in theaters, I may consider checking it out on DVD (for free, if possible). But I don't think I'm going to spend any money on it.
much like the matrix,i fell asleep during episode 2 and was relieved i didn't wake up until episode 3.
brads review is enough to convince me i won't be seeing episode 4 and whilst he,s no doubt receiving mega bucks i cant help wondering what this series of movies is doing for johnny depps legacy,its certainly not enhancing it thats for sure.
I'm pretty sure I won't be seeing this. It doesn't interest me at all which is a shame since Captain Jack is (or was) a really great character. The sequels just did not need to be made, both have been disappointing and I'm sure this would also be so I'll just leave it at that.
just saw it here on opening night in Australia. i'd have to say brad is spot on when he said – it's pretty much what you'd expect in terms of story. the spanish story arc seemed extremely pointless to me, and so did the presence of the church guy.
the 3D was distracting to say the least. at times i opened my 3D glasses and felt i enjoyed it more that way (the scenes are quite dark and the glasses make it even darker)
i thought the mermaid scenes were good..esp since they were really hot..haha. but overall, it never reaches the epicness of At World's End or the charm of The Curse of the Black Pearl.
I quite enjoy On Stranger Tides. I'd argue it was better than II and III, but obviously nowhere near the quality of the 1st (though I wasn't expecting that anyway). It streamlined the plot and got rid of the 50,000 subplots that served no purpose. However, the subplot involving a certain mermaid was rather pointless and did little to advance the story. However, I was impressed in how they presented mermaids in general, as that was something I was apprehensive about going in..While I wouldn't suggest anyone seeing it in 3D, I think its definitely worth a trip to the cinema
This is one of those rare times when I ALMOST agree with you. I would give it more of a C-minus. I disagree with you about Cruz and the mermaid subplot; the former was fine considering the character and the latter was the ONLY fascinating thing in the second half of the film (both of the actors in the latter were also very good). The plot was extremely uninvolving IMO.
I'd also like to make a point that removing Knightley and Bloom was a horrible idea. Sure, their characters were slightly boring, but they at least made the previous two films watchable in their chemistry with Depp. Cruz had NO chemistry with Depp.
This is an absolutely spot on review.
The Judi Dench cameo early in the film was the highlight for me.
It's a shame Tim Power's terrific novel was a wasted as a "suggested by" on this, although the Blackbeard seeking the Fountain of Youth is really the thing they used. On Stranger Tides as an engaging and entertaining novel. I would much rather have seen a film of the novel rather than this.
Forget the film. Read the book. (It's not like you'd confuse them at any rate.) You'll get your money's worth from the book.