Few would deny that the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been an absolute cash cow for Disney, not only sending Johnny Depp’s career into the stratosphere but also creating a comprehensive world full of characters, locations, and objects worth billions in licensed merchandise. Each of the previous films has been a financial success, but with a consistent decline in overall quality since 2003’s The Curse of the Black Pearl, I was ready to declare the series dead and buried after 2007’s disappointing At World’s End. Studio execs seemed to sense that they were running on fumes, as they made some drastic changes heading into On Stranger Tides; of course they weren’t going to get rid of Johnny Depp, but regulars Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley and even series director Gore Verbinski, had run their course and were therefore replaceable. Despite these deviations, sending Jack Sparrow to find the Fountain of Youth alongside Penélope Cruz and Ian McShane had all the makings of a summer blockbuster, so I was sold.
Looking back, On Stranger Tides was way better than I expected it to be; probably the best film in the series behind the original, but the inconsistent quality of the overall experience severely compromises what could have been an astounding summer entry. For (maybe) the first hour of On Stranger Tides, the film is just too painfully familiar with yawn-inducing action sequences and recycled dialogue, the only reprieve from monotony being the introduction of new characters. Thankfully, there is one scene where a marked shift in quality occurs, and from that point on, the film achieves the same sense of wonder, energy, and style, that made The Curse of the Black Pearl so successful. As expected, Johnny Depp shines as Captain Jack Sparrow, achieving sizzling chemistry with newcomer Penélope Cruz, but the real surprise is Ian McShane as the maniacal villain Blackbeard. It may not be perfect, but On Stranger Tides still represents a step forward for the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and is sure to delight fans of all ages.
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Overall Recommendation: High
