Rumoured to be the last instalment of Disney’s successful Swashbuckler saga, Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge looks like the perfect ending to the heroic tales of Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew of sails-men.
Once again the drunk captain is at the centre of every trouble. This time a warship filled with vengeful Spaniards, guided by Captain Salazar (Javier Barden), is looking for him to seek revenge after they have been cursed by faith. Still blindly following his desire for wealth, with a new ship and the help of Henry Turner and Carina Smyth – a young astronomer looking for her father’s legacy, they will embark on the quest to find the trident that can break all curses and of course save the captain’s life once again. Every single one of them is looking for this treasure for their own needs. However, together they will work to save each other and the ones they love.
Like every other movie in this saga, Disney takes another legend from the sea to be the background on another impossible adventure. The plot follows the same successful tread as the others while introducing new characters who are taking the place of Sparrows’ old frenemies.
The whole movie seems like a dance around the famous captain and his past. The two new characters are introduced immediately and while we already know the connection Henry has to the past movies, Carina Smyth is a mystery until the very end. The cast works together just like a family. Most of them have been with the franchise since the beginning and their camaraderie and bond are clear, giving that sense of familiarity to the audience. The new additions, from Barden playing the villain to Kaya Scodelario and Brenton Thwaites portraying the new good guys, are not left out and they instantly fell into the group dynamics as if they have been always a part of it.
Even though the structure of the film is always the same and has already been employed in the previous installments, the movie doesn’t feel repetitive. Also, thanks to the comedy thread the tension breaks in the right places, giving time to the audience to enjoy the fast pace of the film.
While this new expedition gives to some of the characters the chance to show their constant evolution throughout the saga, some of their familiar behaviours are still there, since in the end, pirates never change.
Johnny Deep brought once again on the screen the drunk captain. Most of the time his character is the one that brings the comic relief in the film, with his careless behaviour and extravagant ideas, which are always successful in the end. His relationship with his crew is always the same even though, among the many betrayals, there is always some sort of loyalty.
Javier Barden is, as usual, on another level when it comes to his acting skills and his performance. He compliments Geoffrey Rush’s Captain Barbossa perfectly. Both of them bring maturity to the plot and Barbossa’s story acquires depth with this fifth film.
The battles between ships are as usual a feast for the eyes. The choreographies are terrific and it seems like watching a dance among titans. Every ship is unique and it matches the personality of the captain guiding it. The CGI implemented to portray this world stuck between reality and fantasy is flawless and it hypnotizes the audience throughout the film.
Even after five movies, Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge is a highly entertaining film that follows the thread of Disney’s plan to broaden their audience with stories made for adults who still like to see fantasy mixing with harsh reality.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge is out in UK cinemas Friday 26th May 2017.
