Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)

The most enjoyable sequel so far thanks to new directors and a script recapturing the original's magic; it feels like a soft reboot that retreads Curse of the Black Pearl beats while keeping the story moving. Praises spirited performances, fun Jack Sparrow moments, exciting set-pieces like the bank robbery, and strong effects.

The critic finds the film scuppered by Depp's calamitous lead performance, which is the worst thing about it despite some entertaining set-pieces from the directors. Praise goes to the brisk pacing and practical effects in the opening bank heist sequence.

The critic says forget the story—this is all about the ride, which is mostly enjoyable with fun comedy set pieces and spectacular action like the undead shark sequence. Praise for Bardem's sinister villain and Geoffrey Rush's interesting arc, plus an impressive finale that leaves room for more.

The critic notes the film puts some wind back in the franchise's sails with new directors, leads and villain but not enough to return to its swashbuckling best. Praise for Bardem's menacing performance and the dark energy from the zombie elements, alongside a father-child theme providing some emotional resonance.

Some exciting set pieces and strong turns from Bardem and Rush, but Depp phones it in and drags the film into mediocrity; time for the character to walk the plank. Bardem is the best thing on screen as the vengeful Salazar.

The critic finds few new ideas or memorable set pieces in the fifth instalment, noting that it moves at a faster pace than previous entries but remains the same soggy ride. New directors are praised for focusing more on sea action, but the film is faulted for lacking originality and relying on familiar panto-style nonsense.

The critic views it as another unthrilling episode of swashbuckling by numbers, with wishy-washy plot and lost charm from Depp's Jack Sparrow, who comes across as drunker and more repulsive. Some credit for attempting to return to the franchise's earlier spirit with new characters and action sequences.

Feels like a remake of the first film with the same ride but far less fun; innovative early set-pieces give way to exhausting plot inconsistencies and CGI overload. Jack Sparrow has become a tired routine rather than a character, with little of the original spark.

The film faithfully follows the established formula with swaggering Depp, young leads, a supernatural villain and heists but offers no new treasures. It is dragged down by the franchise blueprint, though dry-land action sequences show some inventive physics-based feats.

The film wholly lacks the lighthearted spark and demented creativity of the Verbinski entries, feeling like a shoddy reboot with stale callbacks and a focus on a washed-up Jack Sparrow. Action sequences are big but straightforward and rigid rather than inventive.

The film is as overengineered as ever, with a phoned-in Depp performance and little distinction from its directors, though it hits enough familiar notes for commercial success. The critic notes that attempts to recapture the original's surprise are doomed to look desperate or hacky.

The film is long and punishing with meager pleasures and forced inventions that make it the opposite of entertainment; it is a tedious rehash overall. Occasional nifty Rube Goldbergian action sequences recall the inventiveness of the original director.

This is a mercenary, visually unappealing exercise in brand maintenance that feels inessential and depressingly pro forma, with only faint traces of the original spark. An early bank robbery scene is well-staged and entertaining, and some supporting turns like Golshifteh Farahani are enjoyable.

The critic calls the film gob-smackingly derivative and says Captain Jack should walk the plank, faulting it for crassly cannibalising earlier entries with no understanding of what made the original work. The performance of Depp is seen as frozen in cliché, with the plot and structure feeling like sludgy regurgitation.

The critic calls it the most entertaining installment since the first, praising the directors' experience with water scenes, Bardem's villain, and the fun ride overall. They single out the top-of-the-line special effects and Bardem's performance.

The film surprises as the best Pirates sequel yet, with a streamlined quest narrative, inventive set pieces, and strong new characters that make it feel fresh. Bardem's creepy villain and Scodelario's feisty lead stand out amid the fun and emotional moments.

The critic finds it the most divertingly enjoyable since the first film, praising the energetic direction and fresh buffing of the series' elements. They single out the humorous staging of action sequences like the dual guillotine/hanging rescue.

It is business as usual with a knotty plot, slick action sequences, adult humour and familiar characters, anchored by Depp's Sparrow and Rush's Barbossa. The mix of tones and excessive CGI on the villain can jar, but Disney magic pulls it together.

The film is a handsomely mounted but overly busy and frantic affair that feels like a theme park ride, with familiar elements that fail to linger after viewing. The directors deliver inventive action sequences and strong technical work, with solid support from the cast including Bardem's menacing villain.

The critic finds the film exhausted and lacking life, a diminishing return on the franchise. They single out the lack of chemistry between the new leads and the absence of interesting arcs for the characters.

The critic finds the film a tired, formulaic parody of itself with poor acting, unfunny humor, and sub-par effects; praises Geoffrey Rush and the Paul McCartney cameo as minor bright spots.

The review deems the film soggy, bloated, and a chore, with lifeless performances and deadening spectacle. It singles out Johnny Depp's tired performance and the overreliance on CGI and MacGuffins.

The review calls it the worst in the series, visually and narratively incoherent and lazy, with illogical plot and poor direction; singles out the bank-heist scene as a rare effective moment but overall despairs at the franchise's decline.