The first film in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, was released in 2003 and became a popular series. The series was conceived as a trilogy and concluded with the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End in 2007.

Surprisingly, the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series made an unexpected comeback in 2011. That film is this one, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.” How did this popular series manage to make such a comeback?

The Return of Jack Sparrow and His Crew

In the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” the main character is Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, just like in the previous three movies. You can’t talk about this series without him. Unfortunately, Will, who was another main character, and Elizabeth, the heroine, didn’t come back. But Barbossa, one of the secretly popular characters, is back and doing his thing in this movie, too.

Jack remains the same elusive character he always was, with no major changes. On the other hand, the new heroine Angelica is Jack’s former lover, offering a completely different, more mature romantic dynamic compared to the ambiguous relationship with Elizabeth in previous films.

The new dynamic between these two characters is one of the film’s strongest elements. Especially since Elizabeth’s ambiguity had been a point of contention among fans, the straightforward yet complex romantic tension between Jack and Angelica in this film was a refreshing change.

The most popular character in the series is the wonderful music. After a few years’ hiatus, the visual quality felt slightly different from previous installments, but the moment that iconic music, which stays in your head once you hear it, began to play, I was immediately drawn into the series’ world. The theme song is primarily used in battle scenes, but it alone significantly elevates the quality of those scenes.

Jack and Angelica: An unpredictable love-hate drama!

Angelica, the new heroine in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, is Jack’s former lover, but she deceives him and sometimes cooperates with him, creating a truly unpredictable love-hate drama.

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Angelica’s charm lies in the fact that she is the only woman who can stand toe-to-toe with Jack. Unlike Elizabeth, she sees through Jack’s schemes and even deceives him herself, showing a stance that never backs down. This equal relationship creates a unique tension and chemistry.

The ambiguity of whether they truly hate each other or if there is still love left between them is a major draw of the film. There are moments where they help each other in life-threatening situations, and viewers are drawn into the complex fluctuations of their emotions. Penélope Cruz’s portrayal of Angelica was both strong-willed and vulnerable, exuding a presence that matched Jack’s.

The relationship between Jack and Angelica in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides was not merely romantic, but rather a love-hate drama that added depth and excitement to the story.

The only Pirates of the Caribbean film based on a novel

The film Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is actually the only film in the series based on a novel. The series itself is based on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disney Resort, but there was no original novel, and the story was original. However, this film is based on Tim Powers’ novel, The Anubis Gates, not The Midshipman’s Mate. This novel was also published under the title “The Fountain of Youth” in some regions to coincide with the film’s release. However, the film is not a faithful adaptation of the novel, merely utilizing the plot of “pirates seeking the Fountain of Youth” and the subplots related to their adventure.

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Perhaps because this film is based on an original work, it is made to reflect the era more than any other in the series. The legendary pirate “Blackbeard,” who appears as one of the main characters in this film, is Edward Teach, a famous pirate who actually existed during the time period in which this film is set. Although there are many unknowns about him, he is a highly popular figure who has been the subject of various works. The conflict between England and Spain is also a major element in the film, and themes such as royal power and religion feel closer to historical fact and are more strongly incorporated than in the previous film.

Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of the Pirates of the Caribbean series, is said to have chosen the novel Phantom Voyage as inspiration for the legend of the Stranger on Stranger Tides, as the mix of magical and historical elements suited the film.

Disney officially purchased the film rights from Tim Powers, and the author is given credit (although it is more accurately described as “suggested by” rather than “based on”).

A sad mermaid story

One of the eye-catching elements of the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is the sad love story between a mermaid and a human. The forbidden love story between an innocent, handsome man and a beautiful woman is a hallmark of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series. In the trilogy of the series from “The Curse of the Black Pearl” to “At World’s End”, this part was played by Will and Elizabeth.

This film tells the tragic love story of two people: the priest Philip and the mermaid Syrena. The relationship between the two is also suggested by their names. Philip is thought to be a name derived from Philip, one of the twelve apostles in the Bible, but he is known for preaching in various places and is a perfect fit for a character who travels with pirates and conveys God’s will. On the other hand, the name also means “one who loves horses,” and is often used by kings who overwhelm and dominate those around them with horses.

It’s easy to imagine that the name he gave the mermaid, Sirena, was taken from the Siren of Greek mythology. Philip’s act of naming her Sirena is a classic colonialist development that is often discussed. At first glance, Philip seems naive and beguiled by the mermaid, but it is interesting to see how he exhibits classic “invader” behavior, such as spreading Christianity and arbitrarily assigning names to creatures of other races that are used in his own world. On the other hand, the conclusion of their story is not ordinary but very interesting, and I found the contrast fascinating.

Summary: A movie is like an attraction

The movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is a sequel to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series, which was originally intended to be a trilogy. Since it is a work independent of the trilogy, it can be enjoyed as a standalone. In addition to the familiar characters and music centered around Jack Sparrow, this is the first original work to give you a more period feel, and you can also enjoy the love story between a priest and a human. Although it is a somewhat long work at two and a half hours, it is a work that can be enjoyed with the feeling of enjoying an attraction.