Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Now was the time when the stretching begins - trying to extract every last ounce from a popular franchise. Everybody does it: Resident Evil, X-Men ... read more

Now was the time when the stretching begins - trying to extract every last ounce from a popular franchise. Everybody does it: Resident Evil, X-Men and even Indiana Jones, after a couple of decades. But not everybody does it right. Walt Disney surely did.

The change in Directors is evident - this film resembles National Treasure and the Indy Jones franchises much more than it resembles its own predecessors, because more than character development it single-mindedly focuses on the light at the end of the tunnel, called the 'Fountain of Youth'. The best characters of the franchise have been retained while those which bored have been replaced with spunkier ones. I never liked Orlando Bloom, and absolutely loved watching Penelope instead. Poor Keira Knightley became collateral damage, tied as she was with Bloom.

Storywise, the film tracks Jack Sparrow's expedition(eeks! there should be a 'Captain' before Jack... Sorry Mate :P) to the fountain of youth, which promises eternal life to the one who drinks from a certain silver chalice with a mermaid's tear - the catch being that the fountain is only a facilitator, requiring another person needs to donate life drinking water from an identical chalice. Captain Jack meets the dreaded Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) again, who has now become a Private in the King's army after losing both the Black Pearl and a leg in a fight with Blackbeard(Ian McShane). Blackbeard is incidentally an actual English pirate who ruled the seas in the 1700s.

In typical fashion, Johnny Depp steals the show again, what with his fancy one liners and eccentric behaviour. Apart from getting the best lines, he also gets a lot more action since Bloom is absent, and he surely doesn't disappoint. Penelope (looking as ravishing as ever :) ) plays a lovelorn girl and loyal daughter with much more conviction than she plays a Pirate, and I must say that she had done a better dacoit act in Bandidas. She starts with a spunky fight but loses track afterwards.

The film begins drearily, as the first hour is devoted to developing the story. The audience is no stranger to Depp's antics and is thus only mildly amused when he tries to surprise, as that is expected. The fun actually starts with an encounter with the beautiful yet sly mermaid and doesn't stop ever after. Watching the previous instalments is rightly not a pre-requisite, and the movie will appeal to even those viewers who are being introduced to Sparrow for the first time. At 2 hours plus, it is a tad long and could have done with a little snipping in the first half. And yes, the 3D as usual takes away more than it gives to the film. The cinematography is breathtaking, with truly beautiful locales.

Watch it for sure: its quality cinema and entertains the friggin' hell out of ye !view less

Early on in the movie Capt. Barbossa remarks "Not a Pirate anymore but a Privateer" and that pretty much sums up the direction in which this movie ... read more

Early on in the movie Capt. Barbossa remarks "Not a Pirate anymore but a Privateer" and that pretty much sums up the direction in which this movie series has moved since its dazzling debut almost eight years back. What was once fresh and intriguing has slowly been weighed down by the "cash-cow" mentality of Hollywood executives trying to milk out every cent from the franchise until they can completely run it ashore. The one thing that is and perhaps always will be the crowning jewel of the franchise is Capt. Jack Sparrow played with such mischief and charm by Johnny Depp that it's hard not to be lured into theatres by him alone inspite of what the movies might (or not) have to offer.

Essentially a reboot of the series which picks a few characters from the original trilogy, this movie also picks up the plot thread that was hinted upon towards the end of the last one, that of the fountain of youth. The tale picks up a few years after the events of the original finding Jack (Johnny Depp) in the middle of various groups racing towards locating the fountain of youth. So there are the Spanish, the English expedition led by Capt. Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), who has given up his pirating ways in service to the Royal Navy and last but not the least Blackbeard (Ian McShane), a pirate who is the most feared buccaneer of the high seas. Jack gets pulled in due to his own greed plus for the affections and emotional blackmail of a former flame, Angelica (Penelope Cruz), who's keeping secrets of her own. The voyage to the fountain of youth isn't without peril and deceit at every turn but the stakes are far too high for anyone involved to back down from the prize. Throw in prophecies, "zombified" crews, supernatural swords & ships and ofcourse the essential Mermaids, who are anything but the cute versions of their cousins from 'Splash'; you have the promise of a rollicking adventure on paper right? Wrong!

The movie spends an inordinate time where nothing exciting happens, though it's filled with action sequences, none have the zing to make them memorable. Other than devilishly exciting romp through the streets of London early on (watch out for a priceless Judi Dench cameo), the action set pieces don't provide a bang for their buck. It's hopelessly dull in parts when swordfights turn into repetitive fights where it is barely clear who holds the upper hand.

The humour quotient is provided mostly by Jack's one-liners and antics but he too somehow seems more sober here than in his previous outings. Deep still manages to infuse him with that rascally energy though.

The plot is the biggest failing of the movie since it's stretched to such limits that don't warrant a running time of nearly two hours. For a Pirate movie it surprisingly has little sea-faring swashbuckling action and moves more in the vein of an Indiana Jones adventure. The whole Mermaid-Clergy Man love story feels cliched and falls flat, though they effects work on the Mermaids is amazingly done.

The 3D effects are nothing to crow about and with plenty of scenes in absolute darkness only make matters worse.

The performances are the thing that somewhat steady this adrift vessel. Ian McShane is astounding as Blackbeard, not just evil but the manner in which he adds that touch of "know-it-all" perceived humanity to the character, totally in control at all times makes him an enigmatic yet fearful figure. Geoffrey Rush is reliable as always and the same goes for Johnny Depp. Penelope Cruz is wasted in a role that demands little of her.

'On Stranger Tides' could have been a rousing return to the basics of the series but instead it is a bloated ride filled with unnecessary baggage that sinks the franchise further. view less

It so happens with our Western counterparts, once it dawns upon them that they hold a blockbuster franchisee under the table, they stretch their ar... read more

It so happens with our Western counterparts, once it dawns upon them that they hold a blockbuster franchisee under the table, they stretch their arms, go for a stroll, sip caffeine more than frequently, and even in their self-conjured illusions, they are dead-sure their films going to debut at No.1 at the turnstiles.

This is an instance from Disneys fourth installment of the overwhelmingly extraordinary series of a manipulative, witty pirate, his many unconfirmed, unfinished liaisons, and his eccentric adventures spanning from a dead mans chest to reaching the other stop of the world.

Captain Jack Sparrow returns, and this time with a quest to sip the fountain of youth. It is evident he isnt the solo forager for the prized liquid, and so starts a larger-than-life scavenger hunt with a number of parties hunting for the syrup. Flaunting his political drift, Sparrow cunningly switches from one to the other seeking most benefit, from anyone, irrespective of it being a British Monarch or a sultry siren.

Which reminds me of Knightleys apt replacement, and an exploding addition to version 4 the stifling Spaniard, Penelope Cruz as Angelica. Although its a part screen writers Ted Elliot and Tim Powers find increasingly challenging to define, rendering Angelica a trivial persona. Her integrity is constantly debated and it never quite is clear where her intentions lie, with that lazy, amorphous depiction.

For us, the ambitious expedition never really lurches the stomach with anxiety, especially like the first one managed. Or say, even the second, knitted with sharp-witted humor. The cameras focus is quick to dislocate. And assumingly for the first time, you dont root for Jack Sparrow. Johnny Depps fourth reincarnation of the rum-drinking, rambled-gait pirate is most of the time exhausted, and lethargic. His punch-lines sound contrived, and what was once hilarious now is plain ho-hum.

Ian McShane as Pirate Blackbeard is a welcome count. The actors terrific screen-presence alongside that hoarse, guttural tone gives the character the much demanded maniacal sculpt. He plays Penelopes father and the one who is asking for the Fountain of Youth more than anyone else.

The ever reliable Geoffery Rush reprises Captain Barbossa, though contrastingly, he is now a privateer in the court of King George 2, and that without a leg.

Even these sparkling enactments find difficult to compensate for the basic plot that lies defunct. Director Rob Marshall, celebrated for musicals like Nine and Chicago (an OSCAR delight), decides to attach chaos uncalled for. There are too many action sequences, and sadly none are choreographed in a jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring manner.

Just the conventional sword-crossing in between dangerous landscape.

The least saving grace is - the shimmering mermaids, who at one point beguile you with cherub-like innocence, and next you know, they flaunt fang-like teeth, ready to rupture your muscles. Yet, their mere presence is mesmerizing.

Clustered with an army of people, aiming for one valued fluid, Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides reaches a shore that is greatly unrecognizable. Battling its own demons, screenwriters Ted Elliot and Tim Powers appear to stretch these once-lovable characters, and conjure up silly, inconsequential ones resulting in a contrived extension. Marshall seems unable to handle a mammoth ocean-sized project like this one.

The sailing point of the much punctured voyage thus remains the enticing proximity between the lead pair.

And I never quite imagined the progression would be so shockingly reduced.

Launch your lifeboats, for the ship is sinking fast.
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The Pirates Trilogy supposedly ended in 2007 At Worlds End. But as the dialogue goes.. you forgot one very important thing mates, its Captain Jack ... read more

The Pirates Trilogy supposedly ended in 2007 At Worlds End. But as the dialogue goes.. you forgot one very important thing mates, its Captain Jack Sparrow.
It is a universally known fact that without Jack, there would be no Pirates, no trilogy and no franchisee to have spin offs. This $2.6 billion commercial vehicle, which began rolling in 2003 with a Curse, has now become a blessing in disguise for producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Walt Disney Studios and Johnny Depp, who reportedly got paid a meager $55.5 million for the latest installment.
So, welcome to a world of madness, debauchery, the supernatural, deceit, betrayal, bravado and lots and lots of special effects. Hey, that was the trilogy, so whats new? Lets add a sensuous seductress as the lead actress and throw in some zombies and what else can we add.voila, mermaids! Now that is a killer cocktail.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Jack has come to rescue Joshamee Gibbs (Kevin Mcnally, Scoop, Valkyrie) from a London court, impersonating as the judge. In their attempted escape, they both land up getting arrested and Jack is brought to the court of King George II (Richard Griffiths, Harry Potter series, Sleepy Hollow). Here Jack is introduced to the thrones latest acquisition, Captain Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush, The Kings Speech, Shine, Munich), Pirate turned Privateer. Barbossa has lost the Black Pearl and a leg and is now working for the royal King. The king wants Jack to lead an expedition under the captaincy of Barbossa, in a race against the Spaniards. Jack, enraged, on hearing about the loss of the Black Pearl, attacks Barbossa and escapes from the Palace. Just so that he can be captured by Angelica (Penelope Cruz, Vanilla Sky, Vicky Christina Barcelona). Angelica, like all Jacks ex-flames, has her own axe to grind with Jack. That revenge, coupled with the fact that she is the long lost daughter of Blackbeard (Ian Mcshane, Voice of Tai Lung in KungFu Panda, Captain Hook in Shrek The Third, most popular for his role in Dallas). So now Jack works on Blackbeards ship, who is in a race against time.
But what is the race for one might ask. Well there is a Fountain of Youth, which can give one eternal youth. So The Spaniards want to reach the Fountain to destroy it, the English want to just beast the Spaniards and Blackbeard wants to reach the temple so he can drink the water and defy a prophecy. Thus begins the journey of The Spaniards, The Queen Anns Revenge with Blackbeard, Angelica & Jack and The Providence with Captain Barbossa and Gibbs.
As the Pirates tradition, the story is wafer thin. But it is the journey which is important. So along the way the seekers of eternal youth have to fight fanged mermaids, in order to capture one, fight pierced zombies and have plenty of bloodless battles. Something like Tom & Jerry, where despite mindless fights, not a single drop of blood was shed. But it entertains us till date.
On Stranger Tides is exactly what the Pirates franchisee has to offer, inspired from the amusement park ride, whole lot of action, countless stunts, whole lot of noise and no plot. So while you are in the ride, you enjoy the thrill, but once you come out of it, there is nothing much to take home.
Well, that said, let us be honest. We never go to see a Pirates movie for the plot, story, drama or emotions. We go to see Jack Sparrow. And that is what this movie does. Present you with enough screen time of Jack. There are hardly few scenes which do not feature Jack.

Jacks relationship with Angelica is shown exactly the way all Jacks relationships areconfused. They lust for each other, but yet there are quite a few strings of hate, anger, deceit and distrust. The fact that Jack seduced Angelica when she was to take her vows as a nun, exemplifies that.

Cruz looks hot and stunning in the film. It is as if she walked out of Bandidas. As Jacks on and off love interest, she does hold her own in this Jack-o-thriller of a movie. The smile in the shot post credits, gives one the inkling that she will be there in the next installment.

Ian Mcshane as Blackbeard is hardly menacing or evil. He comes across as more confused, whether he should be evil or funny. The true evil was Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) and Barbossa in part one.

The side track of Syrena, the mermaid (Astrid Berges-Frisbey) and Phillip (Sam Claflin) does not act as a replacement for the Will Turner / Elizabeth Swann track of the earlier trilogy.
Geoffrey Rush is shown in a new light in this adventure. He has only revenge on his mind. That makes him a scene stealer most of the times. The camaraderie that he and Depp share in the film, can give a lot of buddy flicks a run for their monies.

Depp continues his daffy, swaggering take on Capt. Jack. But there is no increase in his character. It is the same dash of brilliance, cowardice, slurry speech and undying charm, which is as amusing as it gets.

The film is a sheer waste of 3D. Although the makers want to encash on the current trend of 3D movies, but Pirates does not need such gimmicks. It is a gimmick in itself. The 3D glasses on the contrary make the movie so much more darker. The mediocre effects do not help their cause either. It reminds one of the early days of this medium, not so much more like Avatar or Tangled.

Director Rob Marshall does try to add some value in this series, trying to choreograph the action sequences, unlike the earlier Gore Verbinski (Pirates Trilogy, Rango). Marshall, (Chicago, Nine) uses his experience of musicals and tries to blend in the same with the Pirates lifestyle. He does score in some places, when it comes to trying to give the stars more character depth. Where he falters is in the magic of the action sequences.
Where Marshall fails is in recreating energy. By now, we know that irrespective of what happens on screen, Jack will be unharmed. Everytime he gets caught, he will escape. Everytime, the enemy has an upper hand, Jack will somehow wriggle out of it. This is best proved when Jack is caught at gunpoint by a soldier, about to be shot and pop the soldier is shot by Captain Teague (Keith Richards), Jacks Dad! Who comes from nowhere and disappears into thin air. Likewise, you do not feel scared for the protagonists at any point of time.
Depp, in the past decade has become synonymous with his onscreen characters, Willie Wonka, Mad Hatter, Sweeney Todd. But he has achieved immortality as Jack Sparrow. Something which he will be remembered for till eternity, like Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, or Heath Ledger as The Joker.
I loved the Pirates series not for its story, but for the mad zaniness that the characters bring on screen. Does Stranger Tides manage to do that for me..Ahoy Mehardys.where be JACK?

Does it have The Y Factor :Yes
Rating:6/10
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That too much of a good thing can get boring at times, is amply proven in Pirates of the Caribbean 4. In its fourth installment, the film leaves a ... read more

That too much of a good thing can get boring at times, is amply proven in Pirates of the Caribbean 4. In its fourth installment, the film leaves a lot to be desired.

Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow in his fourth outing, this time in search of the fountain of youth. And this time he has Captain Barbosa, Black beard and his daughter Penelope Cruz and the Spaniards for company on his quest. The love angle between Bloom and Knightley from the previous installments is replaced by a mermaid and a devout Christian accompaniment.

POC franchisee is known for thrilling non stop adventure. The previous three films have been a roller coaster ride of excitement, generously spiced by Jack Sparrows quirkiness. The fourth part has all of this too, but in very measured quantities, resulting in a film that drags at parts and is laborious in others.

The story line is flimsy (not that it was any meatier earlier) and doesnt quite manage to provide a complete thrill ride. The locales are breathtaking as ever, and the adventures, in spurts, are brilliant. The mermaids and their attacks are splendidly shot. The film is in 3D, and makes use of the medium intelligently. Yet most of the fabulous action sequences in the film happen at night and this in 3D means a lot of darkness and confusion.

The soul of the POC franchisee is Captain Jack Sparrow. And Depp doesnt disappoint this time too. His madness is intact, albeit a little controlled at times. He is the only reason one would want to sit through the entire length of the film. In fact, he is the only reason the film rises above from being a banal mediocre adventure film.

Penelope and Geoffrey are wasted in roles that are too non dimensional by POC standards. Rest of the cast is irrelevant; none of the crew members this time have the charm of those from the Blackpearl.

POC 4 is fun and crazy. Yet die hard POC fans would agree that the film lacks the zing of the previous three parts. This one will sail through but a huge booster of energy is needed.
for the franchisee to grow.
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