Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge: Review

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge is directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg and sees the long awaited return of Jonny Depp as the infamous yet loveable Captain Jack Sparrow. In this fifth instalment of the ever so mischievous thieves we see an unlikely team of heroes, villains and pirates embark on a journey to discover the legendary trident of Poseidon. 

In contradiction to the international title; dead men definitely do tell tales. In this fourth outing the pirates series may not be able to recapture the true magic of the first two but definitely delivers its best film since 'Dead Man's Chest'. An experience with the whole family in mind - unlike the previous films in the seven seas saga - gallons of rum aren't needed to ease away the pain of this romp.

Salazar's Revenge has the wit, the characters and the story to sail itself through some choppy waters. There are various reasons why Pirates 5 postpones the series from lowering the anchor for good - and it's not just the ingenious concept of zombie sharks and bottomless ships. Much like Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant, a new breeze blows through the franchise with a fresh set of heroes and an advancement in its evolving story. 

It takes its time to settle the characters, but after an action packed opening they knit together a cohesive enough story to deliver another lively adventure across the oceans. That said there are the usual overplayed jokes and unnecessary plot points - whilst more light could have been shed on the main story of Poseidon's trident, but never mind...

What can also be felt across the entire adventure is the true energy and excitement of each cast member. Depp - as usual - owns his role of the drunken (in this, very drunken) tongue in cheek scallywag. Geoffrey Rush does as best as he can whilst roped to the script as the barbaric Barbossa; young Scodelario too adds a feisty empowering female to the roster.

In the end Pirates: Salazar's Revenge may pose as an all out ending but instead of concluding the series shunts it into new, more exotic waters. At times it can feel tired, struggling from slow middle sections and senseless one liners such as 'spaghetti wolves' that can only be laughed at - unintentionally of course. All in all this does the near impossible job of bringing back the virtually  shipwrecked franchise and delivers another exhilarating adventure with new protagonists and the welcome return of old ones. Also stay for the end credit scene - and it is a long wait -  it will definitely excite you for the next voyage
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I am going to give Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge:

7.1/10