A return to the familiar and exciting

Johnson Thomas

Salazar’s Revenge which was internationally titled Dead Men Tell No Tales works as a standalone adventure even though it borrows mythology from its predecessors. It’s an action-packed adventure that jumps all over the place— from a futile and mindless, though thrilling attempt to defraud a newly fortified bank to the formulation about progeny in search of their cursed parents, to a revenge drama that spills over into the afterlife.  

The action is simple minded though quite exhilarating and the situations are often humorous and disingenuous. 

That it’s a part of a series that has long since done its time as a wondrous adventure is besides the point. Disney, like any other major studio, wants to milk it to the fullest and I am not grudging that, so long as it’s an enjoyable and fruitful ride. This one is. It’s better than its immediate predecessor and also isn’t looking to go for another trilogy attempt- so that’s an immediate relief.

Newcomers Kaya Scodelario as Carina, Brenton Thwaites as Henry and Javier Bardem as the chief villain, Salazar round up the stellar cast of digitally enhanced  ancients that include Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow, Geoffrey Rush as Hector Barbosa, Orlando Bloom as Will Turner, Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann and Paul McCartney as Uncle Jack. They all in fact look like they just got into this one, fresh out of Gore Verbinski’s series opener. 

The plot may be as convoluted and forgettable as any in the series but there’s an empathetic vein that has you rooting for the young lovers who are searching for their respective parents -within the revenge myth that has everyone involved in looking for the Trident of Poseidon (required to free all of them of the dreaded curse that has them living in limbo). 

This one is every bit as jumpy, clunky and bloated as the previous few but its attempt to garner heft by lending passion and perseverance to the young lovers’ search, makes it all worthwhile. The actors appear to be having a lot of fun and it permeates through the wild goose engagement that we are put through, with so much fun and verve. The action sets are extravagant, lending thrill and tension when required. This one’s a breezy entertainer and has no pretentions of being anything more. Get on for the ride if you must!