Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Review

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Director: Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg
Cast Headliners: Johnny Depp, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelaro, Javier Bardem, Geoffrey Rush, several others
Original Release Date: May 26th, 2017

                It’s an interesting feeling. On one hand, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (the franchise’s fifth installment) is the first one in about 6 years which makes it feel long wanted. Yet also as it is the fifth time around the block, and after rapidly releasing sequels, it feels similar in other ways.  However the combination of these two factors answer the argument well for why there should be another one. It’s a bit silly, very fun, swashbuckling time that ties together all of the films to date and brings in some fresh new tweaks to the familiar formula.

                The main arc of the movie picks up years after the 2011’s On Stranger Tides. Through various vignettes we are introduced to the film’s main heroes. There’s the newer stars in the son of Will Turner grown into an adventurous young man in Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites) and his love/hate ally Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario) the scientist.  Then of course, rounding out the trio is the legendary Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) who finds himself in the midst of pirating shenanigans with a crew that continues to lose faith in him.

                Against him, there’s a fearsome foe in the (almost titular) Captain Armando Salazar (Javier Bardem). He and his crew, accomplished through gorgeously spooky special CGI special effects in their chopped-to-bits-ness, are ghost pirates who are cursed by a flashback event (including a less convincing CGI Depp) by the efforts of Jack Sparrow. He seeks revenge as the heroes race to find the legendary “Trident of Poseidon” while dealing with the typical multitudes of side plots and characters.  Bardem is a great villain as Salazar. Salazar acts and looks fearsome yet also has a sympathetic side to him. Much like Davy Jones before him (and perhaps surpassing Blackbeard via this nuance) his presence is a rogue factor that lights up the screen. Bardem gave it his all and his a solid highlight of the cast, as are his kooky ghastly crew members.
                The aforementioned other characters are… numerous.  The humor of this film is for the most part in high form though often goes for sillier than ever (especially for Depp’s Sparrow). This most often comes from the delight of his own classic crew of pirates above the “Dying Gull” pathetic ship. This includes the bearded Gibbs(Kevin McNally), the newer addition from On Stranger Tide’s Scrum (Stephen Graham), and the little person Marty (Martin Klebba). The movie really builds on the relationship and plot points of past films for effective writing and humor (it helps to have seen others but it does stand alone in its fun). Everyone gets, as typical for this franchise, a small moment to shine. There’s other characters like the British aligned Lieutenant Scarfield (David Wenham) and the witch Shansa(Golshifteh Farahani) but these never come across as more than generic evil and get (sometimes literally) lost in the flow. Paul McCartney even makes a silly but alright glorified cameo as “Uncle Jack” that is worth it to those who knew.  He had to keep up with the Rolling Stones somehow apparently.

                When it comes to the main cast, they are effective. Thwaite’s Henry is very much like his farther, warm and brave. Scodelario’s Carina matches the similar content and leagues of her past heroines whilst perhaps having more humor and charm than some films in the franchise. Even THE Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Turner (Keira Knightley) show up again which really serves to tie the franchise together although their appearances must be seen firsthand as to why.  Johnny Depp brings the laughs, the swagger, and all of what we would expect as Jack Sparrow and he is a constant delight. Although, and this has been an increasing problem with each installment, he at times is a constantly drunker than ever cartoonish outline of his character who just kind of seems “to be along for the ride”. But the movie around him has the fun to make it work. One wouldn’t want him to not be in these in some way. Barbarossa(Geoffrey Rush) also shows up as now a pirate king of the sea, another instance really tying the series together. Rush is great, as always, at times unlikeable but also at times the most likeable of all. See this to find out way.

                The fun comes in droves via the plentiful action and spectacle. While some CGI effects are obvious, some action goes on too long (and of course the movie is a two plus hour epic but it never feels too wasted), and there are some questionable ridiculous moments the audience will be often smiling. There’s the lush music and scenery. There’s the constant “na-nah-nah” franchise theme that maybe gets used too much but also how could one not enjoy the views. The action is really more over the top than ever and in its madness it’s kind of glorious.

                Overall, it has its problems as a general film but has its strengths as a POTC movie. It’s a sunny, sometimes dark, usually funny and exciting blockbuster. The ties to the past and character growth make it stand out as one of the better if not best entries. This is said to possibly be the last in the series, which in one way would work. But also, it leaves one hopeful for the new heroes and setup for the future..stay after the credits. Either way, a 7.8 out of 10