In the early scenes of Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain Jack Sparrow learns that someone is impersonating him. It's a fitting start to the movie since this film definitely feels like a lackluster impersonation of the previous movies. Gone from the proceedings are Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley and, sadly, none of the new characters that are introduced fill their void as the heart and driving force of the film. I came into this film thinking that Capt. Jack Sparrow would finally be the main protagonist of the film but he isn't; most of the time he just feels like he's along for the ride. He's but a pawn in a larger game; a game in which the audience has no interest.

While many critics have complained that the film is too complex, I think they are misstating their issue with the film. The plot is fairly straightforward and explained to you in blatant expository scenes. Where the confusion comes is, "Why should I care about any of this?" The goal is the Fountain of Youth and only Blackbeard seems to have a strong need to get there. Everyone else wants to get there because, well, why wouldn't you? It's the fountain of youth! Along the way, we learn that some characters' motivations might not be what they first seemed but, by that point, I was so disengaged from the film that these twists did nothing for me.

What was most disappointing were a couple of logic flaws in the end and a few moments of either deus ex machina or lucky breaks. In one case, Jack Sparrow loses a key item and then at the end of the scene inexplicably has them again. Yes, I know, he's Captain Jack Sparrow but, in this case, it was just too much. Overall, I liked the film better than the previous sequels (which isn't saying much) but this film was far worse in terms of inventiveness. The previous movies at least offered some memorable fights or set pieces; this film had none. Much like "Thor" the fights seemed to be little more than brute strength and they lacked any sort of cunning. The fights were also just fights; there was little subtext or trickery. I felt like in the other films, the fights were, at times, more of a diversionary tactic; people would win the battle but, in doing so, lose the war. In this one, the fight itself was the thing. There were a couple of moments when it seemed like a very intriguing battle could happen but nothing came of those chances. And with Blackbeard being mostly de-balled by Penelope Cruz's character, there wasn't even a great threat looming over the film. It was, at the same time, joyless and without impending doom.

In the end, I can't recommend this film. If you liked all of the previous Pirates movies, I'm sure there will be enough in this one to make you happy (and you might like it better than 2 and 3). It's not an abomination like Scream 4 but, at the same time, it definitely feels like this ship has run its course and the joy and wonder of the series has been lost.