'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,' a Rickety Vessel That Stays Afloat on Its Abundant Charms

Carina (Kaya Scodelario) and Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) are compelled to execute an escape to pursue a treasure in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.” Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures.

BY VW

IF you had in your hands the means to rid the world of all evil, would you use it to do so?

Most would. And so it is in “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.” The film, which opens in U.S. theaters today, is the fifth in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. Of course, Johnny Depp is back as the ever flighty, ever feckless, often self-serving, but ultimately harmless Capt. Jack Sparrow.

At the center of the fantastical "POTC: Dead Men Tell No Tales" is the Trident of Poseidon. Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites), the son of Will - Orlando Bloom back in a cameo role after his absence from "POC: On Stranger Tides" - unleashes the talisman, ridding the seas of all curses.

That includes freeing his father from his confinement on the Flying Dutchman, plus sending some disembodied, revenge-seeking pirate hunters led by Capt. Armando Salazar (Javier Bardem) back from whence they came.

The aforesaid is not a spoiler, for the real revelations and the real story - the most coherent one since the original "POC: Curse of The Black Pearl" -  are in the chase for the Trident. Along the way new characters are introduced into "POC: Dead Men Tell No Tales." JB's dementedly determined Capt. Salazar and Henry are two.

Another is a luminous (Kaya Scodelario) as orphan Carina Smyth. She faces the hangman's noose for witchcraft, owing to her unnatural and unseemly knowledge of astronomy and horology. And Carina has a surprising connection to the Trident.

The ghost of Davy Jones (Bill Nighty) haunts “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.”

Carina and Will are no doubt the new generation of young lovers, primed to replace OB's Will and (Keira Knightley), who also returns in a cameo, as Elizabeth Swann Turner. The former will make an interesting pair.

BT resembles OB and has some swagger in his swashbuckle. No mere eye candy, KS is as smart as a whip. She is also capable. Where KK's Elizabeth was more the damsel, KS as Carina is a dame. A critical-thinking force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, once it becomes apparent to all and sundry the power that the Trident possesses - to rule the seas and by extension, the world - the pursuit and swashbuckling, aided by some dazzling digital effects (parted seas, for instance) albeit, occasionally excessive in the extreme, begin.

The contestants in the great race for this booty: Capt. Jack, Will, Carina, Capt. Salazar&Co., the British navy and Geoffrey Rush's Capt. Hector Barbossa. Except for the navy, allegiances sometime change as quickly as the winds shift.

Capt. Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) accepts an offer he can't refuse from Capt. Salazar (Javier Bardem).

"POTC: The Curse of the Black Pearl" was released in 2003. By now, the recurring players, particularly JD and GR, are as familiar as family. We accept them, their peccadiloes notwithstanding. Still, directors' Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg's "POTC: Dead Men Tell No Tales" suffers from slow pacing, among other plagues.

It seems closer to 2 1/2 hours but is actually 129 minutes. There is a heavy hand with the aforesaid digital effects as well as some of the action sequences. The bank robbery scene has promise, until it does not. It could have been pared significantly.

Also, an opportunity in Jeff Nathanson's script is lost in not giving Carina - the most engaging addition to the series since its inception - a backstory told in flashback. It would have been a tender break from the noise.

Elsewhere, JD's Capt. Jack shtick is beginning to show wear and tear, though it still has some appeal. At moments however, JD seems to be simply going through the motions. His eyes, and perhaps his heart, appear not to be in it.

On the otherhand, the technology used to de-age him - in support of Capt. Salazar's backstory - presents a young Jack Sparrow deftly exhibiting the physical and facial ticks that are now classic Jack Sparrow.

As Capt. Salazar, JB is engagingly ferocious and will likely show up in a future "POTC." Similarly, GR is in fine form as Capt. Barbossa and may be back, though "POTC: Dead Men Tell No Tales" would have viewers believe that he is the occupant of a watery grave.

Speaking of dead men, the specter of Davy Jones haunts this film. To that end, fans can expect that resurrection in a future "POTC."

Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites) makes cutting remarks to Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp).

For now, there is "POTC: Dead Men Tell No Tales." Its shortcomings threaten to sink it but it manages to stay afloat on the force of familiarity and winsome charm.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” is rated PG-13 for sequences of adventure violence, and some suggestive content; visit http://www.pirates.disney.com/
to learn more about the film.

On a Fool's Errand in 'Pirates ... On Stranger Tides'

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) in the middle of nowhere in search of fool's gold in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer Films.

“THE Foundation of Youth. What does it require,” Captain Jack Sparrow inquires.

“A mermaid, Jack,” his seductive former lover/current nemesis, Angelica answers.

Ands so it goes in “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” the fourth installment of the Johnny Depp (Sparrow)/Jerry Buckheimer/Disney Pictures franchise. The film opens nationwide today.

Captain Jack and his is old frenemy, Capt. Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), (sometimes) team up on the high seas and dry land of locales, including London, against Angelica (Penelope Cruz), Blackbeard (Ian McShane) and, of course, the British navy in the search for the elusive “spout” that will make those who drink from it young, beautiful, virile and vital – FOREVER. See trailers and photos at: http://www.jbfilms.com/#/film/pirates-4/media

Angelica (Penelope Cruz), Captain Jack (Johnny Depp) and Blackbeard (Ian McShane) have a meeting of the minds in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

Like television’s “Law & Order” franchise, “Pirates” may become famous as well for frequently changing casts. PC and IM are newbies, as well as two of the most prominent supporting players. Last time out “At World’s End set a course with Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards onboard. Of course by now it is widely known that JD based Captain Jack’s various and sundry ticks on the old rocker. He played Jack’s father, Captain Teague, and is again part of the crew in “On Stranger Tides.”

On this voyage into the treacherous and unknown, Governor Weatherby Swann (Jonathan Pryce), his daughter, Elizabeth (Keira Knightley), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) remained ashore. Gone, too, is the director of the three previous "Pirates," Gore Verbinski. In the director's chair for the bleaker "On Stranger Tides" is Rob Marshall.

Disney has plans for at least two more of the films based on its theme park ride, Pirates of the Caribbean. It will be interesting to learn who will sign up for the subsequent voyages. Will JD have grown weary of the swashbuckling Jack and turn down obscene amounts of money to slink and slur as no other can? Will he be considered a little long in the tooth in the coming years, only to be replaced by a younger body a la the James Bond character in filmdom’s most enduring franchise? When the time comes, without doubt, tongues will be awagging with a treasure trove of speculation, conjecture, outright lies and gross exaggeration.

"Queen Anne’s Revenge" is Blackbeard's (Ian McShane) favorite mode of transportation in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

As with most film franchises – and "Pirates" is no exception – it is pointless to review them. They are so familiar; the characters are like family. One looks forward to seeing them every other year or so, regardless of their behavior. Should the reunion not be a happy one … oh, well … one thanks his lucky stars that it is short-lived.

If nothing else, as the JB Web site asserts, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” will have “fun, adventure and humor.” Frankly, fans expect no more or no less. They will turn up to see JD&Co. do their thing and will be mesmerized and “amazed” by the special effects and all of that sound coming from the surround system. An added bonus is that for the first time a “Pirates” film will be shown in Disney’s Digital 3D, which is capable of delivering images and depth-perception that are nothing short of eye-popping …

Captains Barbossa and Sparrow are ... er ... tied down at the moment in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

The most lucrative film in the “Pirates” fanchise was the last, “At World’s End.” So far, the 2007 vehicle has grossed more than $2.5 billion with a “B” worldwide.

It rather goes without saying then, does it not, that “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” too, will rake in booty aplenty at several thousand domestic theaters this weekend and beyond on various other platforms here and abroad?

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence, some frightening images, sensuality and innuendo.