Posted: 10/18/2011

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

(2011)

by Amber Burnham

Now available on Blu-ray and DVD from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the latest installment in the tale of Captain Jack Sparrow. This movie not only brings the return of Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow but also Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa. The movie also welcomes in new comers, Ian McShane as Blackbeard and Penelope Cruz as Angelica. In this latest story, Captain Jack Sparrow, Blackbeard and Angelica, an English Privateer Fleet led by Barbossa and a Spanish Fleet led by the Spanish Prince are all looking for the famed Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth. Jack Sparrow, who unwittingly teams with Blackbeard and is forced to use his knowledge of the whereabouts of said Fountain of Youth, is, in the end, just looking to retrieve his beloved Black Pearl. And what kind of adventure wouldn’t be complete without flame throwing pirate ships, zombie crew members, and man-killing mermaids. This film offers all of those.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is right on par with the other three movies in terms of production quality. The special effects, locations, costumes, and make-up are all exceptional. But there seems to be something missing. Whilst the first three movies were all directed by Gore Verbinski, the latest movie has Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha) as the director. It felt as if Marshall was working within the mold that was created from the first three movies instead of making it his own, which the movie could have fully benefited from. Although the movie is a next installment and not a re-vamp, a change of pace and directing style could have given it a new life.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides offers up action, intrigue, romance, and mystical creatures enough to keep you fully entertained. The movie brought in the famed historical pirate, Edward Teach a.k.a Blackbeard as well as mythical mermaids, who were known to be the downfall of any pirate left out to sea for too long. The character of Blackbeard was based, seemingly, on the myths that surrounded him after his death as well as some made up information. With many of the aspects of this Blackbeard character never explained, at times you wondered why they were there at all. At the same time, the mermaids were portrayed as they would have been known during the time of the pirates. My only complaint is the choice of design when the mermaids are attacking. They hunt in a piranha like manner but the design makes them look more like vampires then man-killing fish creatures. This design gives them a different connotation which doesn’t perfectly fit with the characters they are portraying.

If you are looking for a movie to enjoy with your family, preferably older children as some of the scenes could be scary for a younger audience, this can deliver just that. It may not blow your mind in terms of originality and innovation but it will deliver what you expect from an installment from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

Included in the two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo are the special features: Disney Second Screen, audio commentary from director Rob Marshall and Executive Producer John DeLuca, bloopers of the Caribbean and Lego Animated Shorts: Captain Jack’s Brick Tales.

Amber Burnham has a BA in Early Childhood Education from Kendall College. She is also a regular panelist on Kichicast, the all-girl, Chicago-based podcast devoted to anime, manga, and Japanese culture. You can listen to Kichicast at kichigi.com.

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