Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
When franchises expand beyond three movies, there is always the worry of fatigue. That case often is true and it is rare that a successor is so well-made it can surpass its predecessors. In the case of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, this latest installment does exactly that. This is the Pirates sequel people have been waiting for since 2003’s standout The Curse of the Black Pearl. Dead Men Tell No Tales brings back familiar faces, introduces us to new characters, and allows the spotlight to move from its leading character.
The story starts off with Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) reuniting with his old team to pull off a bank heist. Jack loses his team and ends up in jail, while out on the waters a threat emerges in the form of Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem), a ghost pirate that was doomed at the hands of a younger Jack Sparrow and upon his return swears vengeance and death on Jack. Henry (Brenton Thwaites), who happens to be Will Turner’s son (Orlando Bloom), is on the hunt for the Trident of Poseidon to release his father from the curse (an occurrence that happened in a previous installment) and tries to enlist the help of Jack Sparrow. Throughout his journey finding Sparrow, he finds himself tangled-up and inevitably teaming with Carina (Kaya Scodelario) as they all search for the Trident of Poseidon so they can all have their own personal victories, Jack in hopes to live, Henry in hopes of saving his father and Carina in hopes of proving that her father’s journal accurate. However, with a foe as monstrous and terrifying as Salazar they certainly have a challenge ahead of themselves.
The performances in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales are what truly make the Movie great as Johnny Depp without a doubt has become synonymous with Captain Jack Sparrow and does a fantastic job embodying him once again. Newcomers Brenton Thwaites and Kaya Scodelario also do an excellent job with expectations high replacing long-time cast members. Javier Bardem plays the villain – something we’ve seen much of lately – so precise, giving the Film a new layer of depth and drama. As well, franchise veteran Geoffrey Rush as Barbosa is a welcome return.
A fresh story with focus shifting from Jack Sparrow to interesting newer characters including a truly terrifying villain breathe new life into the Series and make this an enjoyable swashbuckling ride.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada releases PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES in theatres on Friday, May 25, 2017.
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