Review of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) by James W — 30 Mar 2014

It's a whole lot shorter than the third sequel, The World's End ran in at a whopping 169 minutes, similar to The Hobbit and Batman yet Pirates 3 tested audiences with it's slow pacing and a rather un-involving plot that jumped from one scene to the next without proper explanation.

On Stranger Tides thankfully cuts the run time and also fills the story up with spectacular action sequences from terrifying Mermaid attacks to chases through the streets of London all in eye popping 3D.

Johnny Depp is at his most quirkiest and most entertaining as Captain Jack Sparrow, all the little hand gestures return and that's what makes the character a joy to watch. Dropping Knightley and Bloom and essentially replacing them with Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane adds freshness to the franchise, Cruz is feisty and fun as Angelica whose either in it for love or betrayal putting Sparrow on constant edge, whilst battling the sinister Blackbeard, Ian McShane couldn't be better! Even the love story between Sam Clafin's Philip and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey's Mermaid Syrena added freshness to the franchise, I was a little bored of Will and Elizabeth's story so it's nice to see something new, especially considering a Mermaid is involved.

With more attention to the story and keeping the audiences riveted On Stranger Tides is a huge step up from the third adventure, and Rob Marshall directs with giddiness and speed just like the rollercoaster that inspired the franchise.