Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review

Synopsis

The 5th and final adventure begins. Captain Jack Sparrow finds the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost pirates led by his old nemesis, the terrifying Captain Salazar, escape from the Devil’s Triangle, determined to kill every pirate at sea…including him. Captain Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, a powerful artifact that bestows upon its possessor total control over the seas.

Specifications

Walt Disney Pictures
2017, 2160p with HDR10, Dolby Atmos (BD DTS-MA 7.1), 2 hours and 9 minutes
Rated PG-13, 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Geoffrey Rush, Kaya Scodelario and Brenton Thwaites
Directed by: Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg

Rating

Entertainment:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Violence: Mostly comic
Sex: No, but some crude humor
Language: No

Commentary

I had very low expectations for this film because it has gone on too long and Depp needs the money. Depp now just portrays Capt. Sparrow as a bumbling, mumbling fool. He used to be swashbuckling antihero, but now he has been reduced to pratfall’s and crazy CGI ladened stunts. He just seems to be a caricature of…well…a caricature. Two newcomers are introduced, but they are just used to push the plot along.

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Sir Paul McCartney gets a 2-minute spot as Uncle Jack, but what teen remembers a Beatle? In spite of the over blown action sequences and bizarre zombie sharks, I must admit that I was entertained. The plot generally moves at a break-neck speed and the acting is fine. I was looking at my watch during the final 20 minutes, though.

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Just for good measure, the film ends with some of the original characters hugging and kissing again. All’s well that ends well! If you have committed to watching the first four movies, at least the final film is horrible. Considering the movies are based on an amusement ride, all I can say is, “Please, Capt. Sparrow; retire already!”

Technical

Picture quality is generally excellent, but the film color pushes cool color renditions. Details are good, but just a small uptick compared to the BD version. HDR makes sunlight and torches sparkle, but the colors of red and yellows don’t really pop much. Shot in 3.4K, this film uses a 2K DI, so it is not true 4K in any sense of the word. The sound is robust with clear dialog and sumptuous action music. The cannon fire will make your sub-woofer jump, so beware!

Extras

Besides the BD, you also get: The Making of a New Adventure, A Return to the Sea, Telling Tales with Brenton and Kaya, The Secrets of Salazar, First Mate Confidential, Ghost Sharks, Wings Over the Caribbean, Bloopers, Photo Diary, An Enduring Legacy and several deleted scenes.

Jim Milton

Jim Milton has been interested in high fidelity since his college years in the late 70's. It was there that he first became interested in classical music. He has been part of choral music, both in opera and oratorio and is an avid collector of classical music from the Baroque through the Romantic periods. He enjoys an occasional night at Boston Symphony Hall or attending an organ concert at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME. Currently he is the director of Nuclear Medicine at the North Shore Medical Center, located just outside of Boston. He also serves as an adjunct professor for Salem State University where he teaches a course in nuclear instrumentation. During his leisure time, he enjoys listening to his music collection and an occasional movie with his wife of 30+ years. Living on the longest stretch of sandy beach north of Boston offers him plenty of opportunities to take a relaxing stroll or soak up some sun. "Remember, acquiring good A/V gear takes lots of time...but doesn't necessarily take lots of money."