Writer: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane, Kevin McNally, Sam Claflin, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Stephen Graham, Keith Richards
Story Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) is back and still a wanted man. This time King George himself wants Jack to lead Barbossa (Rush) and a British navy to the fountain of youth. Jack escapes the British Navy and finds a lost love Angelica (Cruz) who kidnaps him and Jack finds himself on board a ship with the legendary Blackbeard.
Blackbeard is also on the hunt for the fountain of youth but for a very different reason. A prophecy says Blackbeard will be killed by a one legged man within two weeks. Add into the mix a mermaid chase and capture of Syrena (Berges-Frisbey), A religious man Philip (Claflin), The Spanish Navy and Jack trusted first mate Joshamee Gibbs (McNally). All these characters will come together and race to find the fountain of youth first.
Verdict The fourth in the series but really the third in the stories and you can tell. Jack Sparrow is pretty much the only reason to watch this pretty much used up franchise. On the other hand we have some great sequences, which fill in the talking which seems all samey and along the lines just trying to one up each other. If you are a fan of the first three you will enjoy this as well Jack saves the movie and the day.
Story Mark 7/10 Much more along the lines of the first but poor additional characters prevents it from going to the next level
Action Mark 7/10 A nicely choreographed escape much like the first one and some good sword fights but nothing that stands out as original.
Star Performances Jack Sparrow only reason to watch and scene-stealer alert
Favourite Character Jack Sparrow funny, crazy, brilliant character
Poor Performance Sam Claflin and I thought Orlando Bloom was boring
Least Favourite Character Philip unnecessary character to the series
Best Part Captain Jack’s escape from King George.
Worst Part Nothing original
Best Quote Jack Sparrow after jumping of a cliff ‘did everyone see that? Because I will not be doing it again’
Similar Too – The first three
My Rating 68%