AT THE MOVIES

by Isy Jordan

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Director: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg
Starring: Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Geoffrey Rush, Brenton Thwaits, and more...

The infamous Captain Jack Sparrow has fallen on hard times. He's lost the faith of his crew, his latest ship doesn't appear to be much, and most of the world believes him to be old news and dead. Jack doesn't stay down and out for long as fate, as it always does, sets sail in his direction.

Henry Turner is the son of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan. He's vowed to find a way to break the curse that keeps his father the captive captain of the Flying Dutchman. Despite his father's wishes for him to go find his own life and leave his parents to their fate, Henry sets out on a dangerous mission to find the one thing that can break the curse and save his father. Things don't get better for him when he's accosted by a nightmarish ship and its damned captain and crew who are seeking Jack Sparrow.

Carina Smith is not a witch. She's about to be tried and hanged as one but in truth, she's a scientist looking for the mythical trident of Poseidon. Is it good luck or bad that she runs into an infamous pirate captain and a heroic young man who believes in ridiculous things like curses and ghosts?

Yes, there's a lot going on in this movie. But unlike the second and third movies in the franchise, Dead Man's Chest and At World's End, you don't need a flow chart to keep it all straight. Everything you love about the franchise is here: humor, outrageous escapades, and danger on the seas.

Supposedly the very last film of the franchise, Dead Men Tell No Tales is a fun romp that tells you just enough about the new characters, their backstory, and their relationship to our current characters without slowing things down or ruining the fun. The acting is wonderful, as always, with Javier Bardem doing what he does best and playing a terrifying antagonist that isn't easy, if possible, to vanquish.

The effects were particularly good in this film. Salazar and his crew had to be crafted in a way that makes the pirates in the first three films almost look amateurish. Big stunts, big scenes. This franchise never fails to take you on an adventure and if this is the final one, as a fan, I'm satisfied for the way things were wrapped up in several storylines. Sad about one particular loss, but satisfied nonetheless.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't the ending. I know nothing either way but...

The movie is 129 minutes and rated PG-13 for some scenes of violence and imagery. You know the drill. Most older kids and teens will be just fine. Captain Salazar and his crew might scare the little ones. Either way, if you're a fan of the franchise, you'll love this film like I did.

Isy