Johnny Depp's rascally pirate captain Jack Sparrow is back, yet again in Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge. His groggy-from-too-much-grog shtick is paying ever diminishing returns, so it’s probably a good thing his fifth screen adventure sees him playing a largely passive role in the plot.
This time, harking back to the first Pirates film, a younger generation is at the helm of the story. Brenton Thwaites’ callow teenage sailor Henry Turner, son of Orlando Bloom’s Will Turner and Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Swann (remember them?), is looking to free his father from a watery curse.
Along the way, he throws in his lot with Kaya Scodelario’s Carina Smyth, a headstrong, orphaned astronomer who possesses part of the map pointing the way to the mythical Trident of Poseidon, which has the power to break curses. Jack is a party to the quest, but in their way stand Javier Bardem’s undead pirate-hunter Captain Salazar (‘el matador del mar’) and Geoffrey Rush’s Captain Barbossa, both of them Jack’s sworn foes.
As you might expect, the film is overblown, overloud and overlong (although not nearly so bloated as previous instalments). Yet there are still moments when the movie is undeniably fun. The sequence in which Jack and his cronies attempt to steal an entire bank (building and all) picks up a rollicking comic momentum, while the episodes involving Bardem’s captain and his decomposing crew prickle with ghoulish dread. Shiver me timbers, indeed.
Certificate 12A. Runtime 129 mins. Directors Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg
Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge is available on Digital Download, and on Bllu-ray & DVD from Monday 24 September.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrX5op6_9uw
Bonus features include*: BLU-RAY & DIGITAL in HD: · Salazar’s Revenge: The Making of a New Adventure – Get unique access into the making of this exciting new “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie with this collection of revealing and entertaining stories that you can view individually or as a “play all.” o A Return to the Sea – Two talented filmmakers, Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg, team up to bring “Pirates of the Caribbean” back to the screen. Hear how this new chapter of the tale was developed. o Telling Tales: A Sit-down with Brenton & Kaya – Meet Brenton Thwaites and Kaya Scodelario, the young actors behind Henry and Carina. The two sit down together for a revealing conversation on becoming a part of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film franchise and its continuing legacy. o The Matador & The Bull: Secrets of Salazar & The Silent Mary – Oscar-winner Javier Bardem reveals more about his menacing new character and the foreboding ship he helms. o First Mate Confidential – Go on-set along with Kevin McNally, the affable actor behind the feisty Mr. Gibbs, Captain Jack’s reliable first mate from all five movies. o Deconstructing the Ghost Sharks – Peer below the depths at how these ferocious, mythical monsters were designed and brought to life. o Wings Over the Caribbean – Captain Jack has a memorable encounter with Sir Paul McCartney – rock 'n' roll royalty. o An Enduring Legacy – Take one more look at the “Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge” experience and the impact of “Pirates of the Caribbean” -- the movies, the ride and beyond. · Bloopers of the Caribbean · Jerry Bruckheimer Photo Diary · Deleted Scenes o Highwayman o Henry Turner Learns a Lesson from Captain Jack o A Whale in Poseidon’s Tomb o Alternate Coda: Murtogg & Mullroy “Flogging”
