Released: 2011
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Fantasy
Recommendation: If you like pirates, okay, but to me it was kind of slower than the there Jack Sparrow movies.
Synopsis:
Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) crosses paths with a woman from his past (Cruz), and he's not sure if it's love -- or if she's a ruthless con artist who's using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn't know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.
My Thoughts and Summary:
Jack is freeing Gibbs from prison and the awaiting gallows, to be lead into the hands of those he is wanted by, just to learn there is someone impersonating Captain Jack Sparrow. Jack falls into the right place at the right time to meet her, but winds up on the infamous Blackbeard's ship as part of the crew and co-horsed into leading his past lover and Blackbeard to the Fountain of Youth. Captain Jack Sparrow is back with his tip toed walks, swashbuckling swords, and perfectly laid yet improved plans of escape. This one starts off with a few sword fights and old friends in places we wouldn't expect them.
We enjoy the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, so had to get this one as well. I enjoyed watching it and all the characters. Jack Sparrow is still my favorite with his flighty personality, yet he's still so damned smart! I love his twisted ways. Angelica Teach (played by Penelope Cruz) was a new addition, and I like her history in which we just barely get a touch of. I hope we get to see more of her in future Pirates movies. But, with this movie I felt it was a little to long and slow moving in many parts. Very good movie, just not what I was looking for in the Pirates movie. I hate to say this, as it was Christmas day we watched the movie, but the kid left to go play with his new toys and the husband kept falling asleep.
I enjoyed the beginning of the movie with Jack being Jack in the dinning room, and the end of the movie with the action and where Angelica ended up. hee hee. I liked that! This is a good addition to the Pirates series, but just slower moving for me.
The overall feeling I got from it was "We're kind of tired of making these movies." You know how the first one had a certain joy to it? (Confession: I saw the second, felt like they were taking themselves too seriously, and didn't bother with the third, so I can't really comment there.) I didn't get that at all from this film. Like everyone was going through the motions. For a paycheque. There were some really cute moments but otherwise I didn't get the sense anyone was enjoying what they were doing, not even most of the new blood added.
ReplyDeleteThe other trouble could be that Depp's Sparrow works best when he's part of an ensemble with a lot of other strong characters to play off of. He didn't really have that the same way in this one.
But he's very pretty, even with bad teeth, so there's that.
Skyla, YES! You hit it right on in your comment. I liked it, but not like the first. I love Jack and his twisted thinking, but yes, he needed others to play off of. Angelica (Penelope Cruz) did give Jack some of that, but then it was lost in the middle somewhere for a while. I just wish they could find the spark again, it would be so fun with the pirates and Jack's theatrics, but alas, I think it's lost...in the middle somewhere too. :( Oh well. I enjoy the dreadlocks & eyeliner. ;D lol.
ReplyDeleteAnd in OST, there is the lesson for all writers: Don't give fans what they want at the detriment of the story. What everyone wanted was more Jack (me included). But the character's strength was in the ensemble. There's a reason most stories focus on the straight man; the funny man isn't as funny or interesting when he's the focus.
ReplyDeleteThe guy playing Blackbeard was fantastic, though. Sadly, he brought his A-game to what should've been a better film.
Skyla, Oh I really liked Blackbeard. I've seen that actor in something else, but can't remember what. I too want more Jack, but Jack needs the right people to thrive off of. I thought Penelope's character would be that, at least in the beginning at the bar she seemed to fit that. And I liked him in the dinning room too. Then again in the end. But there really wasn't anyone else to "partner" him up with to let him shine. Just a shame as I do like his idea.
ReplyDeleteOMG! I haven't seen this one yet!! I so want to! I mean Jack AND mermaids??? I am so looking forward to seeing this one!! Even a boring Jack is a good Jack. ;D
ReplyDeleteMelissa (Books&Things) - Oh I do hope you enjoy this one when you get to watch it. :) And yes, mermaids! :D
ReplyDeleteI watched this film at the cinema so no real disctractions and I enjoyed it very much! :)
ReplyDeleteI loved the mermaids and the scene where Sparrow discovers Blackbeard's collection of "ships in bottles" I thought that was a really cool concept;)
ReplyDeleteWe own this one, but I haven't seen it yet. My husband and daughter are the Pirates fans. I liked the first, but that's really it.
ReplyDeleteCherry - So glad to see you enjoyed this one. I loved watching the Pirates movies on the big screen, but with this one we didn't get there for it. Thank you for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteCursed Armada - Hi! Thank you for stopping by! Oh I really liked the mermaids idea here too. And the "ships in bottles" was neat to see. :)
Carol - It sounds as your husband and daughter have enjoyed these movies very much. We have the first 3 on dvd here as well. :) Thank you!