Film review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On stranger tides

Cast Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane
Director Rob Marshall

Johnny Depp’s iconic Captain Jack Sparrow returns in this action-packed tale of truth, betrayal, youth and demise.

It’s changes ahoy for the POTC franchise, as new director Rob Marshall takes over from Gore Verbinski, whilst Keira and Orlando’s Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner sit this one out.

But, with Johnny back with a vengeance, POTC4 retains the intrigue, adventure and humour that made the first three movies such mega box-office hits.

When Jack meets the ravishing Angelica (Cruz),a former love from his past, he’s still not convinced it’s true love; especially because, as with most of the ladies in Sparrow’s murky past, she could be a treacherous con artist who’s simply using him to uncover the whereabouts of the fabled Fountain of Youth.

So, when Angelica charms her way aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship belonging to the legendary pirate Blackbeard (McShane), Jack finds himself setting sail towards another adventure in which he doesn’t know who to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica.

Keira and Orlando aren’t missed too much as there’s Astrid Berges-Frisbey’s siren-singing mermaid and relative newcomer Sam Claflin as the handsome Philip who falls for her watery charms, providing the love spark.

Have no doubt about it, POTC4 is a tidal wave of awesomeness!