PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: SALAZAR'S REVENGE (2017)

Genre: Action / Adventure
Running Length: 2:09
Cast: Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Geoffrey Rush, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario, Orlando Bloom

Director: Joachim Ronning, Espen Sandberg

Screenplay: Jeff Nathanson, based on a story by Jeff Nathanson and Terry Rossio

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: SALAZAR'S REVENGE has the shortest running length in the series but yet it felt long. That is usually an indication I was not fully engaged. I think the problem with this outing is that it recycled what was familiar from its predecessors and regurgitated it. As a result, it felt uninspired. As the famous saying goes, don't rock the boat. I believe audiences who have yet to be exposed to any of the Pirates movie would enjoy this 5th installment.

When the first movie came out way back in 2003, I thought Cap'n Jack Sparrow (Depp) would be the answer to Indiana Jones in-the-sea but alas, it wasn't the case. What is missing from the subsequent Pirates movies (including this one) is a sense of danger and adventure.

For example, in the beginning of this movie, there is this runway bank/house chase scene which just kinda goes through the motion. Now compared that sequence with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade tank chase scene, I was at the edge of my seat! Come to think of it, the runaway bank chase scene was so cartoon-y, it looked like something out of a Looney Tunes episode.

Thankfully, Depp's Sparrow was not left, right and centre in this installment but he is well balanced out with "mini Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann"; Henry (Thwaites) and his gutsy love interest Carina (Scodelario). As for Depp's portrayal of Cap'n Jack Sparrow, it feels like Jack Sparrow is doing a parody of Jack Sparrow :(

In conclusion, Salazar's Revenge (I still don't get it why they use that subtitle in this part of the world vs Dead Men Tell No Tales. Mungkin more edgy-kut...) has some really impressive CGI work but its plot is unnecessary convoluted. Hence, it ends up as another one of those loud and busy but ultimately forgettable summer movie.

RATING: 6/10

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES (2014)

Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Running Length: 2:24
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Richard Armitage, Luke Evans, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Aidan Turner, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Lee Pace, Hugo Weaving
Director: Peter Jackson

I was expecting the worst from THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES as judging from the trailer, it was filled with excessive wall-to-wall CGI battle scenes, which to me quite frankly has become a soulless boring movie experience (no thanks to the Star Wars prequel trilogy). Fortunately, it wasn't as numbing as I thought. In fact, it was pretty engaging. It's probably because the film makers managed to balance the big battle scenes with "quieter" heroic moments that allow the central characters to stand out. Surprisingly, this installment being the most action heavy, has the strongest focus on character development. Timeless themes such as honour, friendship, love and self-sacrifice are nicely blended here without over preaching it. And speaking of CGI, it's less intrusive here compared to the barrel ride scene in The Desolation of Smaug (that was unintentionally bad). Not as grand and epic in scope as The Lord of the Rings trilogy but The Battle of the Five Armies is the best film of The Hobbit's series. (And what's with Team America the eagles flying in to save the day once again?)

Rating: 7.5/10