Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides

Believe it or not, the Movie Glutton actually went to a newly released, full-priced, actual movie!  I did not watch this on my laptop, or even at the discount theater!  Kurt was here from Michigan; we caught the new Pirates at Rave, his treat.  (Thanks, Kurt!)  We did choose the 2D version, mainly so we wouldn't have to wait around the 40 minutes or whatever it was for the 3D version.  I don't think we missed much.

Another one?  How many more of these movies can we take?

If you loved the first three Pirates movies, you'll probably love this one.  If you're like me, and you enjoyed the other 3 but they all sort of run together, you might enjoy this one, too, but it won't leave much of an impression on you.  Other than a few characters, there is very little connection between the other movies and On Stranger Tides.  That's nice, in a way, because you don't have to stop and think, Hmmm, what's going on here?  This is a completely independent story from the others.  One plus: instead of Keira Knightly we get Penelope Cruz.  One minus: you'll never think of mermaids the same way again.

Overall, the finished product seems underdone.  It starts strong, with Jack's capture and escape and capture, and there are some decent action sequences.  But the great comic action I loved from the other movies is missing, for the most part, and even Jack Sparrow's swagger and wise cracking seems to be a bit subdued.  The story holds together and comes to a satisfying conclusion, but the end does leave the sequel option wide open.

So Pirates fans, you've probably already been to see this, but if not, go on,  you won't be disappointed.  But for the rest of you, it's an entertaining, if overlong and forgettable, fantasy adventure.

Bottom line, 2 1/2 stars.