So I finally got around to seeing the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie “On Stranger Tides”, the fourth installment to the ridiculously popular Disney franchise. I know what you’re thinkin’, does this movie really need  any more hype?  Probably not, but I waited on seeing this one a little longer than I’d originally planned because of all the awful reviews I have seen that the critics gave. I was initially going to see it opening weekend as I really do like the previous films. The first one was awesome while the second and the third were just pure popcorn. So what gives with this new film? Well to be honest it didn’t really seem different than the previous films as far as quality goes. I have to say as far as sequels go it was at least as good as the  second and third films if not maybe even dare I say…..a bit better?!

There were a few things I liked better this time around than in the previous Pirates, one being the absence of Bloom and Knightley! Thank god that those two characters were axed from the fourth film! Them returning in the previous sequels was simply just too much extra bland, boring baggage-I mean  we all spent a LOT of screen time on their lame sub plot  snooze fest  romance story in the first three films…it was nice to  have a  story that really revolved around pirates.

Also it felt a bit more like the first flick as the  story and  effects were much more  simple, stream lined and focused. The last two movies crammed way too much shit down your throat. From tired sub plots, to cg infested imagery and characters, the last two movies at the end of the day felt like a big sloppy mess. Don’t get me wrong they were a fun mess-kinda like eating a sloppy joe that’s just too big.

This installment much like the first kept the supernatural elements much more subdued. You basically get mermaids, the fountain of youth, high adventure and a lot of pirates. It seems though that the critics really love to dissect movies like this. Why?!  Does anyone take these films seriously? They all have sub par acting and outrageous story lines. They are pure popcorn flicks at best and they are probably the best of  the cheezy summer blockbusters. Let’s all not forget either that they’re based on a damn ride at Disney World for cryin’ out loud! So to set the record straight I think this newest film was a real fun time at the movies, better than what I was expecting and a welcome chapter in the saga of Sparrow and the Pirates of the Caribbean…..I’ll be back on deck for a fifth!