By: debbie lynn elias
Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of…hum. Although energetic, non-stop and fun, at film’s end, ho hum may be the best description for PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES. (And you will definitely head straight for the nearest bottle of rum.) Captain Jack Sparrow and company are beloved known commodities to us all and while never failing to entertain us or rake in substantial box office cash, with this fourth installment, sadly, while at times the film soars with reckless swashbuckling abandon, some of the wind appears to be out of its sails.
Essentially completing the tale of Sparrow’s adventures with Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan in “POTC: At World’s End”, ON STRANGER TIDES renews and reinvigorates Sparrow’s search for the Fountain of Youth to which we were first introduced in “POTC: Curse of the Black Pearl” and again alluded to at the conclusion of “POTC: At World’s End.” Almost starting at ground zero, ON STRANGER TIDES is a blank canvas for the introduction of new characters, new stand alone plot lines and new adventures, which screenwriters Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio handily provide. And as to be suspected, this new journey is anything but smooth sailing for the Captain and company.
Our voyage begins with the Spanish who have received information as to the whereabouts of the elusive Fountain of Youth. Immediately setting sail, their reasons for the urgency of the mission are unknown. Thousands of miles away, a familiar face has an audience with the King of England. It seems that Sparrow’s old nemesis (and thief of Sparrow’s beloved Black Pearl) Captain Barbossa, never one to miss out on a financial opportunity, has hung up his pirate hat and is now in service to the King. England has also heard rumblings about the location of the Fountain of Youth and the King wants England there before Spain.
And while our exalted rulers are rushing to see, as comes as no surprise, Jack Sparrow has himself in another pickle but this time it’s on dry land, as he is being hunted by the authorities to be put on trial and hanged. Word around town is that Sparrow has a ship and is hiring a crew setting out on a “secret” mission. Only thing is, Sparrow has no ship (although he desperately wants one) and the man arrested as Jack Sparrow is anything but. It’s actually Sparrow’s right hand man, Joshamee Gibbs. As ably entertaining and amusingly inept as he is in battle at sea, so is Sparrow on land, as he executes one of his patented plans to free Gibbs that inevitably runs afoul. And it doesn’t take long before this antic places Sparrow before the King, who has been tipped off that Sparrow has a map leading to the Fountain of Youth. More pressing for Sparrow, however, is to find out who is impersonating him and sullying his good name.
Escaping the clutches of the King, Sparrow’s questions are quickly answered, in part by his father, and in part thanks to a swashbuckling duel to end all duels with a Sparrow look-alike – – – the elusive Angelica. Former lover of Sparrow’s, Angelica is also the daughter of the infamous Blackbeard, and needs Sparrow to help her find the Fountain of Youth to save her father’s soul as a premonition has him at death’s door at the hands of a man with a wooden leg.
Taking Sparrow prisoner, Angelica and Blackbeard also join in the hunt for the Fountain of Youth but with an advantage. Sparrow has his heart’s desire compass and knows one part of the ritual to receive the waters of the Fountain, while Angelica knows the other and her father has the ability to work mystical sorcery. Will they work together to help Angelica save Blackbeard or will Captain Jack Sparrow do what he usually does – look out for number one – himself.
The race is on as the Spanish, the English and the Pirates are full speed ahead ON STRANGER TIDES.
What can one say about Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow that hasn’t already been said? He IS Jack Sparrow. He knows Sparrow inside and out. Always entertaining, gleeful, mischievous and over-the-top fun, one never tires of seeing Depp bring Sparrow to life. A little bit older (but apparently not so much wiser), we see Sparrow with a bit of grey in his dreadlocks, sun bleached streaks, a few wrinkles around his heavily mascaraed eyes, but with as much energy and flamboyance as ever.
Joining in the fray this go round is Penelope Cruz as the mysterious Angelica. Apparently the only woman to have truly ever captured Sparrow’s heart, as Angelica, Cruz goes toe-to-toe with Depp in a very rhythmic and lyrical emotional dance. Cruz’ innate beauty is exquisitely captured and showcased as is her surprising athleticism and stamina. Where she falls flat, however, is in comedic timing of one liners, due in part, I believe, to English not being her first language. Some of the words do not easily flow as spontaneously as they should to achieve the full appreciation or gist of the often ribald humor and banter between she and Depp.
Much has already been said about the casting of Ian McShane as the treacherous Blackbeard. I myself was looking forward to his performance. And while McShane is certainly visually impressive and more than enjoyable, the menacing and imposing nature of Blackbeard is never fully conveyed. What definitely comes across, however, is the fact that McShane was relishing the role. The glint in his eyes is undeniable!
Returning as Captain Barbossa is the incomparable Geoffrey Rush. With a much expanded role that undergoes a complete arc and metamorphosis, Rush is the one actor who truly gets to exercise his chops and does so with zealous exuberance. He is a real treat to watch unfurl his talents. Also with an expanded role is Kevin R. McNally as Joshamee Gibbs. Sobering Gibbs up over these four films, McNally’s Gibbs is now a significant piece of the puzzle and the fabric of the PIRATES franchise. Bringing a renewed energy and freshness to Gibbs, McNally gives us more than we’ve seen in the past and it’s a welcome sight.
And of course I would be remiss not to mention the cameo that everyone wants to see, Keith Richards, reprising his role as Captain Teague. There is nothing better than he and Depp together, especially when Richards presence as Teague actually instills humility in Sparrow, a quality that Depp beautifully brings forth. Another fun little cameo – Dame Judy Dench who gets more than a pinch and a tickle from Captain Jack!
Written by veterans Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, POTC: ON STRANGER TIDES finds Rob Marshall as its new captain. From the get-go, Marshall puts his own indelible stamp on the film with some very intricate swashbuckling sequences and non-stop action that is more than fun to watch. Exceedingly well choreographed as if a Broadway musical, the sword play and swashbuckling sequences are standout. Marshall also brings in more intimate lensing which captures fleeting personal moments of certain characters that I wish would have been expanded upon both in the story dialogue and visually. Stunning visuals both in CGI and live action underwater photography abound with the introduction of the mermaids (critical to exacting life from the Fountain of Youth) which, again, I had hoped to have fleshed out more within the story.
Although still replete with twists and turns and some inventive, imaginative storytelling, with the fourth installment, I was truly expecting and hoping for some hidden mystery or surprise about Jack Sparrow, much like with the original revelation of his father, Captain Teague and the delicious cameos that Keith Richards has brought to the franchise. But, I didn’t see it. There was nothing in the script that let Depp stretch his wings further with the character, which is disappointing given his immense chameleonic talent. Also falling flat, a sub-plot involving a mermaid and a young cleric held hostage on Blackbeard’s ship. And not enough zombies. One can never have enough zombies with Blackbeard!
Technically the film is impeccable – from lensing to location to production design. Standout is the work of John Myhre and his crew of artisans and technicians who designed and built Blackbeard’s ship, “Queen Anne’s Revenge.” Stunning detail and craftsmanship. Also notable is the work of Director of Photography Darius Wolski and his use of light, and specifically candle and fire light, in much of the film. It added a mysterious seductive detail to the mix which in many instances, was highlighted by excellent camera angles and editing. And applause, applause to Rob Marshall on limiting the use of CGI this go round and relying on actual camera work, editing and cinematography for his visual palette.
Shot in 3D, I commend Marshall and crew for the undertaking. Travelling to exotic locales that required access only by helicopter of jet ski, forget about getting the actors and crew to the site, transporting the 3D camera systems was a Herculean effort. I must, however, question the sound mix in which the music and effects often step on the dialogue. While the non-stop action is fun to watch, with all the different voice accents you really have to struggle to pay attention to the dialogue and specific elements of the story.
And Hans Zimmer’s score – familiar, pulse-pounding and course charting.
Yo, ho, yo, ho, it’s still a pirate’s life for me! It’s time to set sail for PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES.
Captain Jack Sparrow – Johnny Depp
Angelica – Penelope Cruz
Blackbeard – Ian McShane
Captain Barbossa – Geoffrey Rush
Captain Teague – Keith Richards
Directed by Rob Marshall. Written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.
