![]() So while Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a definite improvement on At World's End, enlivened by that spectacular mermaid sequence and a sparkling turn from Cruz, it's only a sporadically fun flick, with the formula feeling somewhat stale fourth-time around. Sam Claflin as Philip and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as Syreena And while the run-time is down on part three's colossal 169 minutes, it still clocks in at a butt-numbing 136, which could have been trimmed had a more brutal approach been taken to the young romance and the involvement of the Spanish fleet in the edit suite. Johnny Depp is on typically fine form as Sparrow, but one can't help but feel that his rock star-pirate shtick is looking a little tired this time around, with Geoffrey Rush's Barbossa fast-becoming the most interesting and entertaining character in the series. ![]() Play Indeed, the aforementioned chase scene and mermaid attack aside, Marshall's action seems over-choreographed and under-cooked, having more in common with the dance sequences for which he made his name that the more spectacular jaw-droppers from the previous flicks. Director Rob Marshall - replacing Gore Verbinski and hitherto best known for Chicago and Nine - does his best with the material, but seems more at home with the comedy and drama than the action for which the series is famed. But it all ends in somewhat underwhelming fashion, bowing out with a whimper rather than a bang and leaving loose ends flapping like sails in the wind. Geoffrey Rush is on scene-stealing form as Barbossa There are fun discoveries along the way, including the shocking fate of the Black Pearl, the revelation of Sparrow's time spent in a convent, and the now-inevitable appearance of Keith Richards as Captain Teague, himself endeavouring to explain a plot-point involving a pair of chalices. Clearly designed to fill the void left by franchise ever-presents Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, the attractive-but-underwritten pair bring nothing to the party short of allowing Depp to make a good 'missionary position' gag, and commit the heinous crime of actually making you miss Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. This passage isn't helped by an entirely unconvincing romance developing between mermaid-with-a-heart-of-gold Syreena ( Astrid Berges-Frisbey) and dull-as-dishwater missionary Philip ( Sam Claflin). It's at his point that the film loses all sense of momentum, proceedings slowing down to a snail's pace as characters cross and double-cross each other as they navigate their way across an island in search of the mythical water. This mesmeric sequence introduces the stunning sea creatures in all their ethereal beauty before unleashing their furious brutality, and is a genuine show-stopper that's over all-too-soon. Far more effective are the film's mermaids, a new addition to the series and responsible for Pirates' one truly stand-out moment. But this Blackbeard never truly strikes fear into the heart, his voodoo dolls little more than a novelty his zombified crew more ill-tempered annoyance than terrifying incarnation of the walking dead. audiences for Lovejoy - he certainly looks the part with his piercing eyes and leathery skin. Played by Ian McShane - best known to U.S. Another spanner thrown into the works is Blackbeard, captain of the Queen Ann's Revenge, and the pirate that all others apparently fear. ![]() Bickering former lovers who are just as likely to kill as kiss each other, Cruz is an entertaining foil for Depp, although her motives remain unconvincing throughout. Ian McShane isn't scary enough as Blackbeard But there are inevitable obstacles in the way, the most immediate of which is Penelope Cruz as Angelica, a beautiful, manipulative, deadly pirate with whom Sparrow has crossed swords in a previous life. The central quest revolves around the legendary 'Fountain of Youth', with Captains Sparrow and Barbossa competing with a (somewhat pointless and ineffective) fleet of Spanish ships to reach the mythical, life-restoring water. Play And while the plot isn't as labyrinthine as either part two or three, it still takes some explaining, with multiple characters endeavouring to enlighten the audience, but sounding more like Basil Exposition from the Austin Powers movies than people having real conversations.
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