Here at Behind the Thrills, we love us some Theme Parks. No doubt about it. However, there is a great big world out there, and sometimes we need to take a step out of the parks and look at something else. Join us as we take a look outside of the world of theme parks and into the world of movies, music, television, hotels…pretty much anything else we happen to stumble across.
However whatever we look at will have some relation to the theme park world, granted not directly…but in a round about sort of way.
So join us now as we lift up the harnesses, throw out our cup of Butterbeer and take a walk…Offsite.
This week’s Offsite Adventure: Pirates of the Caribbean-On Stranger Tides
Pirates of the Caribbean-On Stranger Tides…or Pirates 4 is of course, the 4th movie in the Pirates franchise, which stars Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, and Ian McShane. The story, which borrows from the book of the same name (minus the POTC part) is about our old friend Captain Jack Sparrow and how he is pretty much duped into a quest for finding the Fountain of Youth, famously sought out by Juan Ponce De Leon. The quest makes turns as Blackbeard becomes involved, as well as a former love interest of Jack Sparrow’s.
Relates to theme parks….how?
Duh, it takes it’s name from the Disney rides “Pirates of the Caribbean at just about every major Disney park world wide. In fact, the film has a few nods to the ride…but more later.
Was it any good?
I liked it, personally. However, I liked the first two a lot better. For me it really sort of felt like Captain Jack was along for a ride, trying to do a morally good thing. The movie had too many characters, and didn’t spend enough time on any of them….except Barbosa.
For me Captain Hector Barbosa is the best thing about any of the pirate films. In this one he plays a member of the British Royal Navy, who has retired from his…privateering days. He tries hard to be one of the “Kings Men” but every time he tries you can see a little of the rum swilling, apple eating ruffian poke through. Then he reveals his true intentions….
HERE THERE BE SPOILERS MATE
Barbosa wants to kill Blackbeard because he is the reason he’s missing his leg. You see, Blackbeard’s ship is mystical. It does his bidding by the movement of his sword…and The Black Pearl fell to him and his ship, The Queen Anne’s Revenge. But the Black Pearl isn’t sunk. The ship, and all of the crew are captured in a bottle forever embroiled in battle. Now Barbosa tells Jack all of this…but if we were to see it…well that would have been something to talk about.
At Spoilers End
Blackbeard is cool as all kinds of hell, but only one time does he ever use the awesome power that his ship possesses, it’s kind of a waste. The mermaids are gorgeous and very dangerous…but when they capture one…you never find out what happens to her…or her love interest. Everyone is kind of just there, even Jack who is trying to steer a moral compass into things but fails miserably.
Overall it’s a fun ride, and if you don’t look at the inconsistencies of everything, it’ll be just that..a fun ride.
Oh, and there are two nods (that I saw) to the ride. The first being the skeleton on the bed from the California Ride, and the second being Barbosa calling his crew “Blumin Cockroaches” which is exactly what the captain on the boat attacking the town says. Or should I say, use to say…now it’s Barbosa looking for Jack.
Who will like it?
If you’re a movie critic looking for a deep emotional connection and a plotline that isn’t about fun and popcorn, you will NOT like this movie.
Moms, teens, and anyone who has followed Captain Jack loyally to the bitter end will be glad to see this movie play out. Little kids will love the mermaids, and be scared by Blackbeard. A lot of people will get bored in the middle, but it’s the end that you’re waiting for.
Favorite Part
Barbosa. Anytime he’s in the film, and especially the end it just feels like a Pirates movie.
