Pirates Of The Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge’s opening action sequences are a return to the slapstick fun of 2003’s original, with Depp’s bumbling genius essential to all the laughs

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: SALAZAR’S REVENGE

(12A) 129mins 

THE ransom threat made to Disney last week was very clear.

Give us your money or the hackers release the new Pirates Of The Caribbean movie.

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A bit harsh really because the fifth one isn’t that  bad.

In fact there are several moments when it was worth paying Johnny Depp a ridiculous bounty to return as Captain Jack Sparrow, six years after the previous chapter, On Stranger Tides.

The opening action sequences are a return to the slapstick fun of 2003’s original, with Depp’s bumbling genius essential to all  the laughs.

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The joy of Sparrow’s bank robbery gone wrong and subsequent escape from the guillotine is all in his comic execution.

He is aided brilliantly by Kaya, who makes her new character Carina Smyth a match for Depp when it comes to spiky confidence.

She is a welcome replacement for Keira Knightley as the female lead.

Also fresh off the boat is Aussie Brenton Thwaites, as Will Turner’s son Henry.

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Even though Brenton isn’t related to Orlando Bloom, making a cameo here as Will, it is a case of like father like son as they do have one thing in common – both rely more on their looks than their acting skills.

At least they are better than Sir Paul McCartney, who tells a terrible joke in his brief appearance.

It’s not the acting that almost fatally sinks Salazar’s Revenge though. With Geoffrey Rush back as Barbossa and Javier Bardem on board as the psycho ghost Salazar there are plenty of mighty thespians.

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As is so often the case with these overblown movies, the swashbuckle could do with a bit of tightening.

The middle section is a bloated mess of too many enemies and too many ideas for how to spend the £245million budget.

The wandering plot centres on Salazar’s insatiable thirst for revenge on Captain Jack.

Only by finding a mythical trident can Sparrow escape his clutches.

Also seeking Poseidon’s weapon are Henry and Carina.

Henry needs it so he can break the curse which holds his father under the sea and astronomer Carina is pursuing her lost father’s dream.

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Naturally, this young couple fall in love during their quest – a process that takes two-and-a-quarter hours.

Thankfully, an elegant end steers the fifth Caribbean movie back on course.

There is enough good stuff here to want Captain Jack back. Just as long as it’s not too quickly.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: SALAZAR’S REVENGE
(12A) 129mins 

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