Rating: 6.5/10 (Entertaining Entry)

Cast: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush, Javier Bardem, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario, Kevin Mcnally, Keira Knightley (Cameo)

Director: Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg

Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer

Banner: Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Despite grossing over $1 billion USD, the 4th entry in the franchise On Stranger Tides was obvious to the common movie goer as well as die hard fans that it was easily a poor film and lacked the finesse of a Pirates film. The 5th entry, Dead Men Tell No Tales, stars famous Spanish actor Javier Bardem as the villain this time around. Is the new entry better and more entertaining than it's predecessor? Let's find out

Plot: When Henry Turner(Brenton Thwaites) warns a ship about their imminent sailing into the Devil's Triangle and the dangers it beholds, the crew is massacred by a ghost crew and their captain, Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem), who was once a fierce and renowned Spanish captain. His desire is to extract revenge on Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) as he left him to die in the Triangle.

The rest of the story is how Henry Turner finds Jack and his crew and how the two crews sail to find the Trident of Poseidon, a magical object that cleanses all of the curses in the sea.

Performances: Johnny Depp has performed hundreds of roles in his career, but can easily argue that Captain Jack Sparrow is easily the most evergreen one of all time. Johnny Depp is simply marvelous as Jack Sparrow in the 5th entry in the serious. His trademark goatee, one liners, and comic timing are on full display and his everlasting charisma, charm, and wit once again carry the film.

Geofrrey Rush is as good as he was as in the 1st film as Captain Barbossa. He is first-rate.

Orlando Bloom returns to the franchise but hardly has any role and is adequate in his cameo.

New additions to the franchise in Brenton Thwaites as Henry Turner and Kaya Scodelario as Carina are excellent and bring some fresh life to the narrative. Scodelario in particular impresses with her performance and looks.

Javier Bardem as Captain Salazar is ok. The characterization isn't great but the talented actor makes the most of what he is given.

Kevin Mcnally as Joshamee Gibbs and the rest of Jack Sparrow's crew do what they do best which is making you laugh. Mcnally is hilarious once again as Gibbs and entertains you to the maximum.

Direction: After Gore Verbinski set a precedent with the original trilogy, it was hard to get the franchise up and running again. After Rob Marshall took the reigns in On Stranger Tides, Dead Men Tell no Tales was tasked with two men captaining the ship in the form of Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg. It's safe to say the two men get the franchise back on its feet once again and they've made another entertaining entry in the franchise and it is definitely a lot better than the last one. They've managed to bring back some of the charm and wit associated with the first 3 films.

Technicalities: Music and BGM by Geoff Zanelli is good. Cinematography bu Paul Barron is excellent. Editing by Roger Barton and Leigh Folsom Boyd is fine but the movie still feels long even at just 129 minutes. Production Design is fantastic. Dialogues/Screenplay by Jeff Nathanson is pretty good. Some of the dialogues and situations written are hilarious. Action Sequences are adequate yet entertaining. VFX work is fabulous. Production Values by Jerry Bruckheimer for the 5th time are world class as usual.

Positives:

+ Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush

+ Cast Performances

+ Production Design and Music

+ Direction

+Comedy and Entertainment

Negatives:

- Weak Villain

- Bit of lag in the movie despite short run-time

Analysis and Verdict: It's safe to say that Dead Men Tell no Tales is a lot better than On Stranger Tides without a doubt. From the first frame itself, the film is interesting and hooks you right away. The villain is introduced and so is Henry Turner and as with any Pirates movie, the movie only really starts with Jack Sparrow's entry which doesn't come for a good 20 minutes into the film. From there on in, the film is thoroughly entertaining with breathtaking action sequences, VFX, and good comedy.

Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush are evergreen in their iconic characters and they carry the film through it's moments. The direction and music complement the film and are added bonuses. If you liked the other Pirates movies, you're bound to like this one. If you didn't, then you may not like this one as well.

Overall, Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is another entertaining entry in the franchise. While it may not have the same charm and charisma as the original trilogy, it's nevertheless an entertaining summer popcorn film that can be watched due to good performances, direction, comedy, and of course the brand name itself.