Depp is given a love interest in “Pirates 4”, a woman from his past, Angelica (Penelope Cruz), who happens to be the daughter of the dreaded Blackbeard (Ian McShane). Blackbeard gets him to lead him in his search for the fabled Fountain of Youth before the prediction that he’d die in the hands of a one-legged man comes true, Capt. Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), Jack’s nemesis who’s now a one-legged pirate ordered by King George (Richard Griffiths) to also look for the Fountain of Youth. In their quest, they have to collect first two chalices from explorer Ponce de Leon and the tear of a mermaid.
The basic plot is actually simple, so we don’t know why this film is so long-winded it has to run for an overlong 2 hours and 20 minutes. Even the action sequences are not that impressive compared to the previous installments directed by Gore Verbinski, looking like they were designed more for video games or with a future theme park ride in mind. The only exciting sequence is the attack of the mermaids.
But no doubt it’d still make money like other summer franchise flicks as it already has a pre-sold audience who are used to its familiar characters and elements. For those who’re not looking for anything else, we’re sure they wouldn’t mind even paying extra to see it in IMAX 3-D. But those who like Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightley will surely miss them as they were the “straight” characters in the first three films compared to Depp’s buffoonish Jack. Without their endearing presence, Depp is left to interact mostly with Penelope Cruz who fails to give an engaging performance as they don’t have much of a chemistry together. We’re afraid the “Pirates” franchise has not succeeded in finding its own Fountain of Youth. Better put it to rest.
