by Denise Holcomb. Denise attended a free Advance Screening in exchange for her honest opinion.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is the fifth movie in the franchise by Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films in Digital, 3D, IMAX3D, and rated PG13. It’s most closely related to early movies in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, but it’s not necessary to have seen them first.
It opens with the young son of Will Turner trying to unlock the curse to bring his father back. His father refuses to come back and forces his son back to a small boat. We are then transported to Henry as an adult on a British Navy ship pursuing pirates. When he recognizes his ship is about to enter the Devil’s Triangle and advises the captain to stop, the ship’s captain considers that treason, rips the sleeve of his jacket, and throws him into a cell. After entering the triangle, they encounter a shipwreck of undead sailors which overtake their ship. The leader of the undead, Captain Salazar, has a policy of leaving one person alive to tell the tale. Once he sees the wanted poster of Jack Sparrow in Henry’s cell, he decides Henry will be the one to live to tell the tale and to let Jack Sparrow know Salazar will seek his revenge on Jack.
Carina Smyth, a young woman called a witch because she’s a horologist and astronomist in a time when women are forbidden to be so, is about to be hanged. She escapes and then works as a nurse where she tends to Henry. Impressed with each other’s knowledge about the mythical tales, they agree to team up to find the Trident of Poseidon, she is found out and arrested as Henry escapes. Meanwhile, Jack and friends are trying to rob the island’s bank of its gold. When Jack’s mission fails, his crew leaves him, he trades his compass for a drink, and is arrested. Carina and Jack are to be executed when Henry saves them, and they flee to the Dying Gull, Jack’s ship. This is where the adventure begins.
Salazar, an undead Spanish captain seeking revenge on pirates, boards Barbossa’s ship. Barbossa offers to lead Salazar to Jack to spare his own life and those on his ship. The chase is on as Barbossa sails after Jack and crew seeking the Trident of Poseidon while Salazar follows all. Salazar and his men cannot go on land due to their undead state. The trident would give them life again. During the battle with Barbossa, Salazar, and Jack, the Black Pearl is released from the bottle and comes to life as a full ship again. Barbossa and Jack work together to find the Trident. Henry’s knowledge of ancient tales and curses, Carina’s knowledge of the stars given to her in a book from her father, along with the timing of the Blood Moon will led them to the treasure and answers to break the ancient curses. There are a lot of secrets revealed in the movie that are integral to the plot, but I don’t want to reveal the spoilers for those who haven’t seen it.
Carina and Henry are fighting feelings for each other as they work together to plot the course and search for the trident. Barbossa and Jack are aware of the significance of their intertwined lives. When they find the Trident of Poseidon, there is an epic battle with Salazar who is temporarily restored to life with the curses being broken. Henry, Carina, and Jack are able to return to the Black Pearl, but Barbossa sacrifices his life to save the rest from Salazar. Curses from previous movies are broken and Henry’s parents are reunited as Will’s curse is finally broken. Carina reclaims her true heritage, and she and Henry are free to fall in love. Jack sails away with his crew on the Black Pearl while Jack the Monkey returns Jack Sparrow’s compass to him.
The action was amazing, CGI was used to create a back story and show us a young Jack Sparrow and how he came to be a captain many years ago, plus heighten the action on the high seas. The movie had an all-star cast, a few unexpected celebrity cameos, and some returning favorites from previous movies. It was a fantastic pirate movie which is suitable for most ages. Watching it in IMAX enhanced the experience, and the audience was able to appreciate all of the exploits happening. Make sure to stay through the credits to find an extra scene. We found it a highly enjoyable film and recommend it as a must-see for all who love the adventure of the Pirates of the Caribbean.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is now playing in theatres everywhere!
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