Pirates of the Caribbean Review: Dead Men Tell Some Tales

It’s been fourteen years since Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was released in theaters and five films later the series shows no signs of throwing in the anchor. The current installment, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, definitely left room for another sequel in the series and intertwined their new characters in with familiar faces we’ve come to know and love. Let’s discuss.

When we reunite with Jack Sparrow, played with ease by Johnny Depp, he is as boozy and somewhat clueless as ever. Living off of rum and what little is remaining of his dignity—he is a captain without a ship and a crew—he finds himself captured and locked in a cell once again. This time, he is broken free by none other than Will Turner’s son Henry, played with earnestness by Brenton Thwaites, which is a nice callback to the original. From there, they seek the assistance of Carina Smyth, portrayed by the incredibly talented Kaya Scodelario, who is accused of being a witch but is really an astronomer who may hold the key to setting Henry’s father free.

Last we saw of Will, portrayed ever so stoically by Orlando Bloom, he was doomed to being captain of the Flying Dutchman and never to walk on land. Desperate to break his father free of his curse, Henry will stop at nothing until he is reunited with him and can make his family whole again. The theme of family runs throughout the film, with a pretty big reveal in regards to Carina and her heritage but we won’t spoil that welcomed twist. Once this unlikely trio joins forces, Jack is able to commandeer a ship and convince his crew to go on this wild goose chase in search of the legendary Trident of Poseidon, capable of breaking all curses.

It wouldn’t be a Pirates of the Caribbean film if someone wasn’t hunting and seeking revenge on Jack, which we have in the form of Captain Salazar, played with a menacing demeanor by the gifted Javier Bardem. Captain Salazar and his ghostly crew were bound to the Devil’s Triangle after a much younger Jack tricked them into sailing right into it. Still bent on eliminating the seas of pirates, Captain Salazar will do what is necessary for Jack to meet his maker. He even enlists the help of Captain Barbossa, played endearingly by Geoffrey Rush, who has his own motivations for finding Jack. From there, this action-adventure film turns into a cat and mouse game with seemingly everyone chasing Jack and his crew of misfits.

Even with it being the fifth sequel in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales still manages to pack a punch and a surprise or two. With nice callouts to its predecessors, familiar but ever-growing characters, and new additions that seamlessly fit into the series, this film is worth your time and money if you’re a dedicated fan of the saga. While at times it may feel as bloated as Jack after drinking all the rum, it makes up for it with its stunning visuals and signature humor. These visuals are especially stunning when seen in IMAX 3D. There’s also a beautiful sincerity to the Pirates franchise that keeps the films from feeling fatigued. Not to mention Jack Sparrow is one of the most legendary pirates to ever grace the big screen.

While the after credits scene hints to a possible sixth film, we somewhat hope this is the last one as it ends with a final scene that would make for a heartwarming bookend to this swashbuckling saga. Time will tell if and when we will get another installment, but for now we can enjoy the antics of Jack Sparrow and company. In the words of Captain Sparrow himself, “Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate.”

Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures