Pirates 4; On Stranger's Tides Review

For the sake of length and time to write this review, all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies have been addressed as Pirates 1, 2, 3 or 4.

On Stranger's Tides is the 4 film in the Pirates series, and firstly, it's a big improvment over Pirates 2 and 3. However this film is no where as good as the first installment.

To begin, the writting for Pirates 4 is pretty sloppy. While it isn't as bad as Pirates 2 or 3. The writting is still pretty sloppy as the film was plagued with plot holes and cliche predictable narrative.

PLOT HOLE Number 1; Captin Jack Sparrow hides behind a banner which is hanging in the middle of the street. The guards that are looking for Sparrow look all directions from their window and are unable to spot Sparrow.

1. How is it Sparrow can make it towards the banner without gaining attention from the public.
2. While hiding behind that banner, why does the strets of London spot sparrow hiding behind the banner.

PLOT HOLE Number 2; Blackbeard is searching for the fountin of youth, yet he uses Sparrow to lead him to the location.

1. Sparrow's compas. The film makes it obvious that Blackbead and his daughter (Cruz's character) know about Sparrow's compas. It points to what you desire, why do they need Sparrow in the first place.

The writting the first problem with Pirates 4, the next problem I had was to be found in the editting. The editting was very slow and loose. it overall lacks the speed and tension that is needed to keep a viewer invested. Another problem I found was that Pirates 4 did had some pointless CGI during one of the film's sequences. What happen is that Sparrow swings from a palm tree to attack guards from below. This scene was done mostly in close up, and the CGI background used was frankly horrible. Granted I know the film was shot on a RED system which is known to feature some bad rolling shutter, but why just shoot that scene using 35mm, it would of looked much better and it wouldn't at all dent the budget.

Finally, the performances. While the film did have some good acting throughout, it still did suffer some problems. Firstly Blackbeard never at all felt threatening. Depp as Sparrow felt a little tad slow and bored compared to Pirates 1, 2 and 3. Other performances in the film were good dispite them being given little to do. The latter statement goes true when looking at Geffory Rush and Penelope Cruz

Overall a weak film but miles but better than Pirates 2 and 3.
My rating 2/5