'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' Was A Thrilling Adventure
One of Disney's most popular franchises prior to the purchases of Marvel and Star Wars was Pirates of the Caribbean. The film was based off of the classic Disneyland attraction which was the last ever ride overseen by Walt Disney. So Disney and its fans have always been in love with Pirates of the Caribbean.
Most people think Pirates has run its course. The moviegoers disagree and I also disagree after watching the latest installment which was suppose to be the final adventure. Pirates grossed $734.7 million worldwide. The film also did feature a post credit that could set up the future of the franchise.
The first Pirates of the Caribbean played major inspiration for this film. A 12-year old Henry Turner tell his father, Will Turner that he will eventually free him of the Flying Dutchman with the help of Captain Jack Sparrow using Poseidon's Trident. The movie skips to nine years later. Where Henry is working on a British Navy warship. Henry realizes the danger ahead yet his Captain ignores him and says he committed treason. Captain Salazar and his ghost crew end up slaughtering everyone on board and they leave Henry left to tell. Salazar tells Henry to tell Jack Sparrow death is coming his way.
Soon after Henry Turner meets astronomer Carina Smyth (who was accused for witchcraft) they team up in search for the Trident. Captain Jack is down on his luck after his crew abandons him. After a couple of drinks, Jack is caught by the British army. He is captured which leads to hilarious interaction with his Uncle (played by Sir Paul McCartney.) Henry helps Jack and Carina escape their executions in a action-packed scene. Along with his entire crew comes back to help him.
The film had a great plot twist that Carina Smyth is Barbossa's long lost daughter. Jack and Barbossa find this out on their trip to find the trident. Barbossa sacrifices himself for his daughter at the end of the film. Barbossa reveals he wanted his daughter to have a better life in a earlier scene with Jack. The once foes become allies when they have a common enemy.
The film had some good comedy along with epic action sequences. The Pirates making fun of Carina for being a horologist. One pirate proclaims that his mother too was a horologist. Captain Jack Sparrow delivered great lines throughout the film. A fun interaction between him and Henry Turner was when Henry said "I saw her ankles." Captain Jack replies "You would've saw more if you would've kept your mouth shut."
This film was probably the easiest money Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom have ever made. Knightley did a Luke Skywalker in The Force Awakens type move. At least Bloom had some lines at the very beginning. They were barely used in this film when they could of been used a lot more. Their love story is what made the previous Pirates films great.
They moved past the Swann/Turner relationship. They focused on the new relationship of Henry Turner and Carina Smyth which was interesting. Brenton Thwaites and Kaya Scodelario both did impressive jobs.
I really enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales although it was a little long. Although the action sequences were fantastic some of them dragged. The lack of Bloom/Knightley was disappointing. Javier Bardem wasn't bad as Captain Salazar. He just wasn't my favorite villain. It was suppose to be a final adventure yet it felt like Captain Jack's comeback isn't finished yet. Same goes for the post credit scene that features a silhouette of Davy Jones haunting Will Turner. Plus will Henry finally get to spend time with his father?
The positives outweigh the negatives on Pirates of the Caribbean's fifth installment. Johnny Depp can still play Captain Jack Sparrow. The character is still hilarious, adventurous and still has charm. Thwaites/Scodelario had great character development throughout the film. Geoffrey Rush was excellent as Captain Hector Barbossa, the rival turned ally was fun to watch during this film. Kevin McNally as Joshamee Gibbs was wonderful. It wouldn't be a Pirates film without Kevin McNally.
I'm also very grateful that the directors didn't decide to kill off Captain Jack Sparrow. Thank you from saving me from that heartbreak.
I wouldn't mind seeing a sixth installment into the Pirates franchise. Something that reconnects Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann with Captain Jack Sparrow. Give us one true last adventure to remember.
Jeff Nathanson did a brilliant job with the screenplay. Writing memorable lines while keeping to the classic Pirates model.
Despite being a very long film. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is entertaining and action-packed.
