2011 ought to be renamed the year of 3D, Blockbuster Prequels, Sequels and Reboots and one feature which fits in a remarkable 3 out of 4 of these categories is Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011).
It's the fourth feature of the blockbuster franchise, which began in 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, it will be released in 3D at IMAX cinemas and it is an attempt to reboot the franchise, with a new director on ship - Rob Marshall replacing Gore Verbinski. Also with neither Orlando Bloom or Keira Knightley returning to the franchise, Johnny Depp is firmly at the center of the film as Captain Jack Sparrow, alongside Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa and new characters portrayed by Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane.
Now, the Pirates of the Caribbean feature films are somewhat a mixed bag, the first feature was a surprise hit and Captain Jack Sparrow, became a cultural phenomenon. Initially a supporting character to Bloom's Will Turner and Knightley's Elizabeth Swann, Captain Jack Sparrow as portrayed by Depp, was universally loved, Depp was even nominated for a 'Best Actor' Academy Award for his performance in 2003.
"Depp in particular seems to be channeling a drunken drag queen, with his eyeliner and the way he minces ashore and slurs his dialogue ever so insouciantly. Don't mistake me: This is not a criticism, but admiration for his work. It can be said that his performance is original in its every atom."
"The fact that Johnny Depp received an Oscar nomination for his boggle-eyed, drawl-mouthed Keith Richards' impression doesn't change my opinion that the role of Jack Sparrow has produced some of the actor's very worst work to date ... In Dead Man's Chest, every moment is a symphony of eye-rolling, hair-tossing, lip-pouting, finger-fiddling narcissism. It's like being trapped in a room with a drunk karaoke singer who's having much more fun than his audience."
While the second and third features of the franchise were successful financially - critically they received mixed reviews; Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) - currently stands on 54% at Rotten Tomatoes and was described by Steve Biodrowski of Cinefantastique as "[This sequel] takes what worked the first time and redoes it only bigger and louder - in the process losing all the charm that made the first film so much fun.".
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) currently stands on 45% at Rotten Tomatoes and was described by David Keyes of Cinemaphile.org as "... a sweepingly ambitious movie that, alas, takes too long making its point, and far less effort in doing something meaty with the opportunities given to it."
Not much is known about the forthcoming feature besides the narrative concerning the search for the 'Fountain of Youth'. It will be interesting to see what theater director, film director and choreographer Rob Marshall brings to the table, with this feature; his previous directorial efforts include Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) and Chicago (2002). The addition of Ian McShane as Edward Teach/Blackbeard and Penélope Cruz as Angelica Teach, Blackbeard's daughter and Sparrow's love interest is inspired. (Depp and Cruz previously starred in Blow (2001), directed by the late Ted Demme).
The soundtrack is also being given a makeover, with Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriella contributing to the soundtrack by Hans Zimmer.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will open in IMAX 3D at IMAX Melbourne and IMAX Sydney on 19 May 2011.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will also have a standard cinema release from 19 May 2011.
Ticket prices for feature film are;
$24 Adult,
$17:50 Child,
$19:50 Concession,
$72:00 Family (2 Adults and 2 Children) .
IMAX tickets sell out fast - so keep an eye on the IMAX Melbourne Facebook profile and IMAX Sydney Facebook profile for when the tickets are on sale. You can purchase online at the IMAX Melbourne website and IMAX Sydney website or at the IMAX box office.
