Tell No Tales

For many, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise delivers enough swashbuckling action, brain-boggling special effects, and high-seas hijinks to justify its continued existence.

- Hayden Mears

For others, the series functions as an example of studios exhausting every aspect of a once-great idea until it is as dry and flavourless as the sand upon which its heroes tread. Films two, three, and four were poorly received by critics, and many screamed for the end of the franchise. It is with the dissonant choruses of heavy sighs and excited squeals, then, that we remind you of the forthcoming fifth installment in the Johnny Depp-headed blockbuster series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge (alternatively subtitled Dead Men Tell No Tales in the States).

Regardless of where many viewers stand on the topic, we here at STARBURST anticipate the film’s May release with feverish but reserved excitement. The film marks the heavily hyped return of Orlando Bloom’s Will Turner, who was last glimpsed vanishing into dusk’s waning light as the newly appointed captain of the Flying Dutchman. What’s more, the wonderfully talented Javier Bardem portrays the titular Captain Salazar, who takes up villain duties from the barnacled baddie Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) and the recently defeated Blackbeard (Ian McShane). Salazar looks to be yet another supernatural threat, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be compelling. Bardem brings a palpable power to each of his roles; his performances in Skyfall and No Country for Old Men earned him unanimous praise from critics and fans alike. It wouldn’t surprise us if he turned out to be the scene-stealer here.

Directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg (who take the reins from On Stranger Tides director Rob Marshall), Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge looks to be an enthralling entry in an absurdly popular series, which will hopefully stick to the formula that proved so entertaining in its predecessors.

The Plot