Pirates Of The Caribbean 4 : On Stranger Tides

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Review by Sean Lynch

Captain Jack Sparrow is back for the fourth, and in no way the last, swashbuckling adventure from Disney's money spinning Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

The big question has to be asked though, as it must with all sequels, has the well of ideas run dry? Is there any life left in a horse that, in most cases, that has been well into submission?

Surprisingly, Pirates of the Caribbean is looking rather spritely. Savvy!

Disney and Producer Jerry Bruckheimer have gone back to the basics for On Stranger Tides. Gone are the convoluted attempts at an epic, three movie arc, and they recapture what made Curse of the Black Pearl so special... self contained fun!

On Stranger Tides is a fun, epic and humorous adventure. Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly have politely been asked to leave the building this time around) in this tale of truth, betrayal, youth, demise - and sexy demon mermaids!

When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), he's not sure if it's love, or if she's a ruthless con artist using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth (which was hinted at towards the final moments of At World's End).

Forced aboard the ship of the most feared pirate ever, Jack doesn't know who to fear more - Blackbeard (Ian McShane in the role he was born to play) or the woman from his past. Directed by Rob Marshall, it's filled with eye-popping battle scenes, mystery and all-out wit.

Depp is in fine form as the character which, without question, remain his lasting legacy in Hollywood - but it's Australia's own Geoffrey Rush who steals plenty of screen time as the genuinely magnificent Captain Barbossa. The chemistry between the two is superb and you would have to hope they keep the Depp / Rush combo in tact for their fifth outing.

On Stranger Tides proves what makes the franchise so great - it's pure escapism in every sense of the word. In fact, it's one of the few franchises that could quite easily go forever if it decides to keep each flick self contained. It doesn't need to really explore characters, it doesn't need to preach a message - it just needs to let you escape into another world for 90 minutes of your miserable existence.

That's exactly what On Stranger Tides does in spades. Sure, it lacks as many memorable moments as it's predecessors, but does that really matter when the world which these characters inhabit is so much fun.

DVD Special Features

The film was originally released in 3D, so the film quality here is astounding. When the scenery is as utterly spectacular as it is here, you simply can't go past grabbing the Blu Ray edition. The colours are vibrant, the picture crystal clear and the sound totally explosive.

This is the kind of movie the format was invented for.

There are plenty of editions available with varying levels of extras. However, the best on offer here are the "Bloopers Of The Caribbean" and a very fun (if not slightly blatant advertorial-like) Lego Pirates Of The Caribbean: Captain Jack's Brick Tales.

I wouldn't be surprised if they make a TV series out of it in the near future.

Conclusion: Movie 75% Extras: 65%