The Case for Four More Pirates

Can there ever be too many pirates?

Well the answer is of course yes, but Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth outing in the series, does not outstay its welcome.  Bereft of the need to give Kiera Knightly and Orlando Bloom something to do, the film hangs on every staggering syllable and swaying step of Johnny Depp's awesome Captain Jack Sparrow.  

Back this time around are Keith Richards and Geoffrey Rush, and I am sure there was a miniscule cameo appearance by Judy Dench, who obviously jumped at the chance to share a kiss with Depp.  Ian McShane is also along for this ride, bringing a wonderful sense of menace to his otherwise quite pleasant Blackbeard, and Penelope Cruz adds an extra level of hotness - and a few good jokes at Sparrow's expense.

As enjoyable as this romp is, it makes no consideration for pacing or intelligence.  There are lots of action sequences, and the ones at the start just seem to play for time, their over-elaborateness acting against them in the awe-inspiring stakes.  And as to the plot... well, who really knows what is really going on or cares about the complete obviousness of plot twists and motivations - this is Pirates of the Carribean, after all.

But, especially on the big screen at the Embassy and well cushioned in the Platinum seats, Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides was definitely an enjoyable event worthy of the big screen, with its rousing soundtrack swirling around in a much more manly and proper style than Sparrow ever quite manages at any stage in the film.

I have to say though, the film did a very good job of distracting me from the awesomely titillating preview for the final Harry Potter film - and to do that, it had to be pretty entertaining.

Verdict:  Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides lives up to the what it says on the box.  It is big, stupid, lots of Johnny and swashbuckling and then some more Johnny thrown in for awesome measure.  Sure, it does seem a little long, because it is, but worth the ride, especially in an awesome cinema.  6 Arrs out of 10.