Gotta Love the Mermaids.

Rating: 5/10 (9 June 2015)

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011): Dir: Rob Marshall / Cast: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Ian McShane, Geoffrey Rush, Astrid Berges-Frisbey: Fourth and weakest entry in the franchise is still an entertaining adventure regarding a past relationship for Captain Jack Sparrow. This time the search is on for the Fountain of Youth but two chalices are needed as well as tears from a mermaid. That is about as preposterous as a plot can get and it nearly sinks this ship. Director Rob Marshall previously made Chicago and Memoirs of Geisha and here he delivers a compelling scene involving a mermaid attack in open waters. The scene is the best in the film but the actors must carry the rest. Johnny Depp as Sparrow is still charmingly funny as he escapes the law only to be thrown into an idiot plot. Penelope Cruz is a nice edition as Black Beard's daughter and past lover of Sparrow. His dealing of her in the conclusion is a hilarious take on lovers spats. Ian McShane is also superb as Black Beard whose wicked ways knows no limits but he earns his own downfall through selfish motives. Only Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa is disappointing in a role that seems terribly reduced compared to other films. Astrid Berges-Frisbey is a fetching steal playing a mermaid with enchanting spellbinding poisonous intentions for those locked in her trance. The production is massive as the voyage takes them to mysterious places including the location of the Fountain of Youth. Die hard fans of the earlier films will no doubt enjoy its spectacle but others may wish to dock their attention elsewhere. Score: 5 ½ / 10