Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Theatrical Release Date: May 20, 2011
Home Release: October 18, 2011
Directed by Rob Marshall
Rated PG-13

Grossing Over $1 Billion at the Worldwide Box Office, One of the Biggest Films of All Time Sails Home on Disney Blu-ray™ Combo Pack
and Blu-ray 3D™ on October 18th



The Walt Disney Studios and Jerry Bruckheimer Films are proud to present the #1 worldwide box office success of 2011 - making over $1 billion globally - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, in stunning high definition Blu-ray™, eye popping Blu-ray 3D™ (a first for the legendary franchise) and Movie Download on October 18, 2011.

Setting sail on an ocean full of hi-def adventures, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will debut in a Limited Edition 5-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray 3D + 2-Disc Blu-ray + 1-Disc DVD + 1-Disc Digital Copy), a 2-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray + 1-Disc DVD), and for the ultimate fan a 15-Disc Four Movie Collection.   Additionally the movie will be available in 3D and High-Definition Movie Download.

The Limited Edition 5-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack includes hours of bonus materials offering fans a deeper dive inside Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides including immersive Disney Second Screen technology, exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences, Fountain of Youth mythology, an extensive look at mermaids, bloopers, deleted and extended scenes, and much more.

In addition, the Pirates of the Caribbean 15-Disc Four Movie Collection offers fans more adventures than ever before. The Collection is packaged in an authentic replica Pirate’s Chest, and includes a collectible map and an iconic skull disc case that holds the Blu-ray™ discs and digital copies of ALL four Pirates of the Caribbean movies, along with the Blu-ray 3D™ disc and DVD of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, directed by Rob Marshall (Nine, Chicago), and written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, National Treasure 2, Mask of Zorro), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is the latest addition to the incredibly successful Pirates of the Caribbean franchise that has for years entertained audiences of all ages with its thrilling adventures,
hi-tech special effects and unique storylines.

Back as Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp (Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Alice in Wonderland) returns leading a sensational cast of talents that includes Penélope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech), Ian McShane (HBO’s “Deadwood”) and more.

The visually stunning film shot in high-definition 3D invites viewers to embark on an adventure-filled ride with Captain Jack Sparrow as he searches for the breathtaking Fountain of Youth. Along the turbulent trip, fans are forced to re-think their knowledge of fairytale creatures when they are introduced to a group of alluring yet precarious mermaids, traverse isolated islands and fight international enemies.

 

Review by James Klein

After a four year absence, Captain Jack Sparrow is back. If you have read any of the reviews for the new Pirates of the Caribbean film, it seems like he isn't welcome. Critics have been unusually harsh on this fourth installment, calling the film boring and tedious. Some even go about saying that Johnny Depp looks bored as Sparrow and that new director Rob Marshall can't seem to capture the same magic as the previous films. I must have seen a different movie. On Stranger Tides is nowhere near as great or fresh as the original but it may be the best of the sequels thus far and kicked off the summer movie season of 2011 just fine.

Fans and critics were not happy with the third Pirates film, At World's End (including yours truly) as the film was a confusing mess and so off the wall and just down right bizarre to be enjoyable. Well, Disney and the creators must have listened to the complaints as the plot for the fourth film is much more straight forward and basic.

Captain Jack Sparrow and his first mate Gibbs are about to be hung by the English while finding out that their old nemesis Barbossa is working for the Duke of England and has given up being a pirate. After Sparrow and Gibbs escape, they begin their new quest for the fountain of youth. However, the pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane) and his daughter and Sparrow's old flame Angelica (Penelope Cruz) are also on the same quest as well. Even Barbossa who eventually teams up with Sparrow as he wants revenge against Blackbeard for taking his leg, comes along for the ride. Along their journey, they must find two chalices and get a tear from a mermaid to be able to drink from the fountain while fighting off evil mermaids, Spaniard pirates and Blackbeard himself.

While the film doesn't include a supernatural Davey Jones villain, On Stranger Tides does drift at times into the supernatural that does seem hokey and silly. However, I have to remember that all the Pirate films have had something of this aspect to them (even the first film had pirate ghosts) but it would be nice to see less creatures and silly situations such as our hero being sucked into a different world where the fountain is located at the ending climax. It seems as if the writers get too carried away and drift from the central storyline. The best parts of the film are the sword fights and stunts that Sparrow is forced into, much like the Indiana Jones films. In fact, this film at times hold a little too much resemblance to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where Indy had to search for the Holy Grail while the Nazi's were doing the same thing.

What does work for the new film is that the tone is less comedic this time around with a lot of the action taking place at night, giving On Stranger Tides a darker feel. It seems to take itself a bit more serious and Sparrow's one-liners are kept to a minimum which is also a nice change of pace as the second and third films felt like adventure comedy's. Sparrow is also the main character now and while he isn't as much of an anti-hero and a bit more watered down, he is still fun to watch and not once did I ever feel or think Depp looked bored as Sparrow. To me, Depp could play this character in his sleep and still looks as if he enjoys playing the role. Do critics really miss the bland Orlando Bloom a sthe central hero? And Cruz plays a great romantic nemesis to Sparrow which is a nice addition. While I am normally not a big Cruz fan, I thought she was great as the double crossing Angelica and both Depp and Cruz had some nice chemistry together.

Rob Marshall is the new director of this film and not once did I miss the original director, Gore Verbinski. Marshall is not an action director as his films include Memoirs of a Geisha and Chicago. I was hesitant when I heard he was hired to direct the latest installment. However, he does just fine here and proves that he can direct an action/adventure film just as much as he can direct a musical or a drama.

While Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has some flaws in the storyline and is way overlong (137 minutes! Really?) the movie is a fun summer action/adventure that is much more coherent and less childish than the previous Pirates film. If you enjoyed the other films, you should enjoy this one as well. And stay after the end credits as we see that a fifth film is right around the corner. If it's anything like this film, I will return for Sparrow's next adventure.