Out With a Bang, Not a Whimper

Rating: 8/10 (30 May 2017)

It's summer time. The weather is hot. I have a half day off and enough money on my gift card for one more moviePerfect time to hit the theater and the high seas to check out Johnny Depp's latest and (sniffle) last foray as Captain Jack Sparrow. I've been looking forward to this one and hoping against hope that Depp and crew end the franchise on a high note. I'll be the first to admit the Pirates franchise has been uneven in terms of quality. I maintain that Dead Man's Chest was just filler to get to At World's End, but maybe that's just me.
Anywho, I won't keep you in suspense.
To the haters, no, it's not Mutiny on the Bounty. It's not supposed to be. So lighten up.
This movie is good. Real good. Good as in I sat through the whole thing with a big, ear to ear, stupid grin plastered on my face I was enjoying it so much. Yes! Bruckheimer et al. did right by the franchise and audience and ended things on a high note.
Depp's Jack Sparrow is as drunk, incorrigible, and outrageous as ever. Javier Bardem's Captain Salazar is a worthy, relentless adversary. Geoffrey Rush's Captain Barbossa's continues to be the double dealing, opportunistic, untrustworthy scoundrel you can't help but adore. Newcomer Brenton Thwaites' Henry Turner proves a worthy successor to Orlando Bloom's Will Turner in look (he really looks like Bloom's kid) and demeanor. Kaya Scodelario's Carina falls a bit short for me (too much Scullyness that puts a damper on the fun), but isn't half bad. As for Paul McCartney's cameo, brilliant.
The story fits perfectly into the overall franchise and hits on all notes. There's plenty of over the top (borderline ridiculous, but that's half the fun) action and stunts. Tons of humor. Outstanding visual effects. Revealing backstory. And of course enough heart and sentiment to pull you in and keep you invested. Happily many of the recurring secondary characters are also featured and get a well- deserved final bow.
If you've enjoy the franchise and are looking for a fun romp, set sail for your local theater, plunk down yer doubloons and enjoy the final escapades of Captain Jack Sparrow and company. It's a solid 8. For you people that bolt as soon as the credits roll, I say once more, stay through the final credits. There's an additional scene after they run.