A welcome guest for the summer

Rating: 8/10 (4 June 2017)

The review for the latest installment of the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN film franchise is fairly simple - did you enjoy the other Pirates movies (or at least one of them?). If you did, then you'll enjoy this one. It is a very well made - and faithful in tone, style and content - entry in this long running franchise.
Fortunately for me, I enjoy these films, so I had a great time in the cinema - enjoying a film equivalent of comfort food.
Once again, Johnny Depp is back - and in his element - as rogue pirate CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW. Depp knows this character well and plays him with a major wink in his eye always bringing him to (but never going over) the line of caricature - keeping Jack a person and not a cartoon (not an easy thing to accomplish).
Directors Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg (best known for the TV show MARCO POLO) and screenwriter Jeff Nathanson (CATCH ME IF YOU CAN) - do a very smart thing. They know that a little of Captain Jack goes a long way, so - even though he is central to the story - they use Sparrow sparingly throughout so when he is on screen creating havoc, you enjoy his hi-jinks as opposed to getting sick of them.
Consequently, the core of this film must fall to someone else - and it falls to the very capable hands of Geoffrey Rush (back as Barbossa) and Javier Bardem (as the bad guy in this tale - Captain Salazar, seeking revenge). Both of these veteran actors commands the screen when they are front and center with Rush, especially, taking charge in a character he knows very, very well.
Add to these two the obligatory "young loves", played (this time) by Brendan Thwaites (MALIFICENT) and Kaye Scodelario (The MAZE RUNNER films). They more than hold their own when the weight of the story shifts to them, with Scodelario rising above - she is an actress to keep an eye on.
And...of course...we have the regular "rogues gallery" of Pirates - bringing back old favorites Gibbs (Kevin McNally), Scrum (Stephen Graham), Marty (Martin Klebba) and even the monkey - Jack. All welcome returnees. There also are two other characters from earlier Pirates' films that show up (but telling you who this is would spoil it) and a very nice cameo by a major Rock Icon who plays Jack Sparrow's Uncle Jack. A totally needless and throwaway cameo, but fun and welcome nonetheless.
Kind of like this film - it's like eating a juicy piece of watermelon on a warm summer's day. A welcome and tasty treat.
Letter Grade: B+
8 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)