Sprightly, swashbuckling romp
SALAZAR’S Revenge is a surprisingly sprightly and enjoyable late entry in the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise. It should make just about enough money at the box office to keep its spendtthrift star Johnny Depp out of debtors’ prison for a few more years and the likely success will no doubt spawn yet more sequels.
Norwegian directors Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg use the enormous budget inventively enough, combining swashbuckling action, comedy and family melodrama in a generally surefooted fashion. It helps, too, that the film, unlike some of its predecessors, has a more or less coherent screenplay.
There are lots of little subplots here and all the characters have different motivations. Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites) wants to break the curse that keeps him apart from his father Will Turner (Orlando Bloom, seen only fleetingly.) Carina Smythe (Kaya Scodelario) is determined to prove her mettle as an astronomer.
The ghostly villain Salazar (splendidly played by Javier Bardem) is looking for revenge against Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) – and Sparrow himself is out to reclaim at least a little bit of dignity and self-respect. There’s a magical compass, a trident with special powers that can only be found on a “blood moon,” and lots of hokum about the dead “taking command of the sea.”
The playful, bawdy tone is akin to that found in Richard Lester’s old Three Musketeers films. Jack Sparrow is first spotted slumped drunk inside the vault of the Caribbean bank he is trying to rob. A woman is in there with him. “Who’s that trollop!” roars the British commander trying to thwart the robbery. “Sir, I believe she’s your wife,” his lieutenant informs him.
As ever, Depp plays Sparrow in louché, posturing fashion, as if he is a cross between an ageing rock star and a lecherous uncle.
Bardem was one of the most memorable Bond villains in recent times and he makes a very convincing heavy in this otherwise lightweight film. With lank hair, horribly scarred face and growling voice, he is an intimidating figure.
One challenge the film-makers don’t overcome is how to combine a dark, gothic story with the playful, tongue-in-cheek elements. Midway through the movie, some zombie sharks are unleashed to hunt Sparrow down. With their skeleta frames and huge teeth, they’re genuinely frightening creatures – the best that Hollywood technicians using CGI and memories of Jaws can build.
But this is a good natured romp with enough action and humour to disguise its own shortcomings. – The Independent