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.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Directed By: Jon Turteltaub
Written By: Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal and Matt Lopez
Starring: Nicholas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina and Teresa Palmer
Rated: PG

MY RATING: B-

A nice, little magical Disney thrill ride. 

The Sorcerer's Apprentice begins with a young boy named Dave who stumbles into an antique store while on a class field trip.  There he runs into Balthazar (Nicholas Cage) who's been searching for a new apprentice.  Balthazar gives Dave a metal dragon which comes to life and wraps itself around Dave's finger forming a ring.  Balthazar knows he's now found his new sorcerer, but a battle ensues between him and Horvath (Alfred Molina) leaving them trapped in an urn for 10 years.  Dave holds on to the ring without a clue of what he is to do with it.  Fast forward 10 years, Dave (Jay Baruchel) is 20 years old and a college student studying Physics.  Balthazar and Horvath have both escaped the urn and are searching for Dave but for very different reasons.  Balthazar reaches Dave and convinces him to be his apprentice and learn the art of magic so they can stop Horvath's plan and save their city. 

Now I found this one to be entertaining and packed full of action.  Pretty good for a kid's film.  I enjoyed the special effects employed for the sorcerers powers.  Very imaginative illusions.  I was also very pleased with Nicholas Cage as the master sorcerer Balthazar but his apprentice (Jay Baruchel) I'm not so sure about.  I kept wondering when he'd become more dark, mysterious and intimidating.  All of the other sorcerers in the movie were intense and daunting but Dave (Baruchel) was a little too timid and unassuming for my taste.  Alfred Molina as Horvath was the perfect villain but Dave was no realistic match for him.  He did however have the sweet, sensitive side that works for the heart of the film and he delivered the charm and humor that appeals to the younger audiences. 
The film took place in New York City which added depth and kept it grounded, gritty and mysterious.
I didn't think there would be much of a story like many other action, adventure films these days but there actually was a nice little plot to follow - or plots.  There were two stories at play here: the race to gain a nesting doll called a Grim Hold (entraps sorcerers) and the training of Dave the apprentice.  I'm not sure which story was more entertaining but by the end neither mattered, only the defeat of Horvath (Molina).
So if you're looking for an adventurous family film that's visually entertaining with a simple, easy to follow plot then you'll definitely have a good time with this one.

I say see it but there's no rush.