PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: SALAZAR’S REVENGE (2017) Review
Directed by Joachim Ronning & Espen Sandberg
For someone who did not like the first four Pirates of the Caribbean films, or at least found them forgettable, Salazar’s Revenge or Dead Men Tell No Tales gives us something different, something more fun and spectacular, and not only making you remember that Johnny Depp pirate character.
Luckily, one doesn’t need to completely watch the first 5 films to enjoy and understand what Salazar’s Revenge is trying to tell. And it feels different, the treatment of the film is parallel to the characters, serious story but lightly presented.
The film focuses on four characters: Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites), Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario) and Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem). It feels overloaded, but the film manages to have a story easy to follow, having the film being driven by the story and the characters’ objective.
This is the most fun Pirates of the Caribbean film in the whole series, and it’s also the first that Depp’s character is not overly used to the point that it’s almost annoying. And Brenton Thwaites, while his character is almost alike the one he’s playing in Gods of Egypt gives a decent and engaging performance. When Javier Bardem does a monologue, everyone listens. His portrayal of Captain Salazar may not be as scary as it should be but he’s still effective playing the villain here. And Kaya Scodelario from The Maze Runner to Pirates of the Caribbean, there aren’t any noticeable improvements here, but the thing is, she’s already good before.
Salazar’s Revenge is probably the most enjoyable Pirates of the Caribbean film. It’s bloated with stories and characters but still gives you decent entertainment from start to finish. And it leaves you with an impression of not minding if a sequel will eventually happen soon.
TO 3D OR NOT TO 3D?
NOT TO 3D. While it may look like the film that 3D will be utilized effectively, Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge doesn’t have that much difference in 2D and in 3D.
3.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
“Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge” opens May 24 in Philippine cinemas from Walt Disney Studios, locally distributed by Columbia Pictures. Also available in 3D, 4D and IMAX 3D. Rated PG by the MTRCB.