Somewhat disappointing

Rating: 7/10 (28 May 2011)

The 4th POC outing while amusing in some spots is overall disappointing. The movie delivers some good action scenes but the plot and storyline seem to just be made up as they go along. Johnny Depp seems to be running out of steam , I mean how many times can he prance around and do the camp shtick when he has worked the best out of it already. We also have Geoffrey Rush at his ugly worst - I don't know why they kept Barbossa around since he wasn't much of a foil for Jack except in POC1 - he is more of a clown now in this movie and Rush's acting is well below his talent level. Ian McShane as Blackbeard also doesn't add much more other then to chew up the screen with his overacting. The chemistry between Depp and Penelope Cruz is non-existent and forced. At least with Keira Knightley it was much more wicked and fun ,with Cruz it's just going through the motions and getting paid. I read another review that Orlando Bloom and Knightley weren't missed at all. Maybe so but their chemistry was far better with Depp then Cruz,McShane and Rush are in this POC movie. The climatic fight at the fountain of youth is such a copout and also part of it with the Spanish Capt disbelieving it all and walking away after all that - makes no sense , nor does Jack and Gibbs walking away with a bag of ships in bottles with no clue as to how to get them out and of course that most likely is the setup for the inevitable sequel ,along with the fact that he left Blackbeards daughter on the same deserted desert island that he was left on with Knightley setting up her return as well , she has a voodoo doll of Jack that her father made so I'm sure that will figure into it as well.
7/10 - And that's being nice . This franchise may not be running out of steam financially as long as Depp is involved since he is the only reason people are going to see the movies however plot and story wise , they are really reaching - how many times can Jack go after mystical things and prance around - evidently at least 2 more movies ???