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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane and Penelope Cruz
Synopsis: This is the fourth installment of the "Pirates" franchise, but the first without Keira Knightly and Orlando Bloom. After the bloat that nearly drowned the last two installments of "Pirates," it's clear that the filmmakers wanted to go with something different here. The film relies more on slap-stick comedy and situational humor, abandoning the heavy use of CGI. McShane makes for a compelling villain, and is perhaps a shade darker than the typical "Pirates" baddie. Rush, as Barbossa, makes for a good friend/foil to Depp's Capt. Jack Sparrow, and Cruz does a nice job as Blackbeard's daughter and Jack's former flame. Much of the film this time around is built around Depp. That's probably a good change, seeing as how the lowly regarded third film's biggest error might have been the long delay before finally bringing Capt. Jack into the narrative. Still, this film fails to capture the heights of the first film. It feels a little too familiar, protracted, and rudderless. New director Rob Marshall ("Chicago") is great at creating some interesting visuals, but there isn't a lot of energy or heart in the story. The film is fine, but it feels too long (it's 140 minutes) and, at times, boring. It's not a terrible movie, but it's not a great movie either. This is one franchise that seems ready to wrap up... but Disney reportedly ordered a fifth and sixth installment, so we shall see.
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence, some frightening images, sensuality, and innuendo.
Verdict: Two stars out of Four.

Other Pirate Film Ratings:
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" (2003) — Four stars out of Four
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" (2006) — Two stars out of Four
"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" (2007) — One star out of Four

Upcoming Releases:
Today — "The Hangover Part II," "Kung Fu Panda 2"
Friday, June 3 — "X-Men: First Class"
Friday, June 10 — "Super 8," "Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer"
Friday, June 17 — "The Green Lantern," "Mr. Popper's Penguins"
Friday, June 24 — "Cars 2," "Bad Teacher," "A Better Life"

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