Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl introduced us to a world of magic, intrigue and wonder with the silly antics of interesting characters plucked from an inspiring theme park ride. It turned into a modern day Disney classic almost as quickly as it set sail in theaters.
Two subsequent sequels have left many with a bitter taste in their mouths. Unfortunately, it seems that the lesson wasn’t learned as the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has all too familiar tides.
Gore Verbinski is no longer at the helms as Rob Marshall, most notably known for directing Chicago, takes control of the latest Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) whimsical adventure in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. When we last left Sparrow at the conclusion of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, he mentioned something about going to look for the Fountain of Youth. This is where On Stranger Tides picks up, with four separate groups all racing toward the Fountain.
Early on, Sparrow is captured by Blackbeard (Ian McShane) and his beautiful daughter (Penelope Cruz). Geoffrey Rush reprises his role as Captain Barbossa, proving once again that he is still the best actor in the series. Of course, the journey is dangerous, with treacherous waters and unexpected enemies. There are lies, love and murder, all on the seven seas.
The problem with this setup and story is that we’ve seen it already in all the other previous Pirates of the Caribbean movies. There’s always some magical goal they need to get to that involves a dangerous ritual. It’s a tired formula that got old in the second and third movies, much less yet again nearly a decade since the Black Pearl first graced the screen. There’s an absence of imagination or creativity, the equivalent of riding the Disney ride for a fourth time and expecting to be as thrilled as the first.
This familiar structure could have worked if only the mechanics didn’t fail to hold up. An epic journey on a ship seems to be what Pirates of the Caribbean is all about, and On Stranger Tides obviously didn’t want to stray too far from that. The problem is that the journey is incredibly boring and tedious. Not much happens during the film’s course other than travel, short sword fights, and forced banter between Depp and Cruz. The themes are cliché and the danger never feels palpable for the characters facing it.
The most interesting part is a relationship between a mermaid (Astrid Berges-Frisbey) and a devout religious man (Sam Claflin). Their story could have called up questions of faith, love and bring forth great character development, but it’s hardly explained past the actors making puppy-dog eyes at each other.
Running just over 2 hours and 20 minutes, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the shortest Pirates of the Caribbean yet, but it’s still too long. The movie creeps along at a snail’s pace with dialogue that usually consists of talking about what they need to do when they get to the next destination. Sometimes a quick action scene seems thrown in solely to break up the boredom. And even then, it’s hardly impressive.
Disney is presenting On Stranger Tides in 3D as a franchise first and the visuals can truly be great at times. Unfortunately, the effect is often ruined with gimmicky swords or projectiles flying straight into the camera. Obvious 3D is never fun. No one wants to be aware of the clunky glasses on their face.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is more of the tired formula that was already old in the second and third installments. Jack Sparrow alone obviously isn’t enough to carry a movie anymore, and it might be time to finally let him hang up his sword and rinse off the eye shadow.
