Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Directed By: Rob Marshall
Written By: Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane & Geoffrey Rush
Rated: PG-13

MY RATING: C+

On Stranger Tides sets sail with Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) on a mission to find the fountain of youth.  They're not the only ones looking for it however.  In this film they introduced Blackbeard (Ian McShane) and his daughter Angelica (Penelope Cruz) and they too are after the fountain.  Along with Blackbeard comes his crew, new shipmates which include zombies and a kidnapped missionary (played by Sam Claflin).  On their voyage they encounter mermaids, one of which is held prisoner for her tears (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), an element needed to access the full power of the fountain of youth.  Jack (Depp) learns that the water must be drunk from two goblets, one extending life while the other ends a person's life.  The question then becomes who will reach the fountain of youth first and take the lucky sip?

Now this latest installment of Pirates of the Caribbean had a lot to prove.  After seeing At World's End I was left so disappointed.  However I'm usually a loyal fan so I was still excited to see this one.  After all, 2 out of the 3 were good.
On Stranger Tides started off a little slow for me while it was setting up the story and Jack Sparrow's (Depp) whereabouts.  Naturally he's gotten himself into trouble again but I feel the first 20 minutes could have been cut in half.  The beginning was building up to the introduction of Angelica (Cruz) and when the story started to take off.  It had it's ups and downs though.  There were good solid story points that were really interesting and then there were scenes that dragged a little and needed some trimming.
I loved that this one returned to the dark side like Dead Man's Chest.  At World's End was a little too out there for me.  I was disappointed in the zombies of "On Stranger Tide" but the mermaids delivered the real thrill ride!  No singing Ariel here! 
Ian McShane did a great job as Blackbeard, the new villain.  But of course Johnny Depp was his usual brilliant self as Jack Sparrow.  I mean after all why else go to see these movies?

Overall it was a little long but fell in line with the other two films, they're all pretty lengthy.  Still, it had a pretty good story that was easy to follow with smart, witty dialogue.  I liked the new characters and the effects were great, especially those mermaids.  Dead Man's Chest is still my favorite and I think they can wrap up this series but it wasn't a wasted trip to the movies.
So if you enjoyed all of the other Pirates of the Caribbean movies then you'll enjoy this one.  If you didn't like At World's End then rest assured, this one's better.

(Note to Parents: The mermaids may be a little too scary for children under age 7.) 

I say see it but there's no rush.