Pirates: on Strangers Tide: ahoy! lets go for adventure

I started as NOT a fan of Jack Sparrow. Yes, I may enjoy the first few movies, but not a fan still. So, when the 4th installment was out, it did not occur to me to watch it so early. Then again, as a twist of fate, I was able to get the ticket on the 2nd day, with 15 minutes to the show start, so why not?

Pirates of the Caribbeans: on Strangers Tide had the usual Johhny Depp as Jack Sparrow, but this time paired with Penelope Cruz. A lot of people scorned at that, but I dont care much as long as the movie works. The story was simple, Jack was looking for the fountain of youth. The Spaniards was looking for the fountain of youth. The British too. Throw in Captain Blackbeard who was also looking for the same thing. And there you have it, a great lump of adventure. Throw in some vicious mermaids and the game is afoot.

The chemistry was good between all the characters. Even between Penelope Cruz. Solid performance all over. The action was non stop, from the movie begins, until the end. The action sequence is played out more like a Jackie Chan movie. Funny moments in between action sequence rather than fights and stylish moves. There had been much genuine funny moments all around, although there are still moments I wish the film can do without.

Mind you, there are lots, lots of shortfall in the movies. That would probably why The Star give it a 3stars instead. I felt Jack Sparrow was given less emphasis, n probably rather stereotyped here. Maybe we got used to him being him after 3 movies. Dont get me wrong, there are lots of funny moment from Jack, and I cant imagine anyone else playing Sparrow than Johhny Depp, but I just expected more from him this round. They tried to introduce that Sparrow was in love with Angelica. NOT believable at all. Plus, it make Sparrow's character appeared weaker here. The love thingy between the mermaid and missionary was another cliche, not explored fully and rather forcefully done. There is also lots of holes not fully explained either (*spoiler alert*), like how Jack Sparrow got the map, how come there are flamable fluid on top of the fire house, how Angelica discover her relationship with Blackbeard.. so on...

Despite the shortfalls, comparison with the previous movies is inevitable. Verdict? it did lives up to expectation, in fact this movie is more straightforward, easier to understand. And I end up a fan of Jack Sparrow.

ratings: 4 poink!

comments: the mermaids here can beat the crap out of Edwards family from Twilight, they actually made him look sissy. And the best pirate story out there is One Piece!