Captain Jack is back, but this time without the real captain of the ship – director Gore Verbinski – who took the helm for the first three films in the series. For
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Disney selected director Rob Marshall (of
Chicago and
Memoirs of a Geisha fame) to drive the ship, and fortunately, he didn't run aground. No, the magic from the first film is still severely lacking, but it is a fun ride that will bring back a few fans who felt the last two films were too bloated for their tastes.
Staff reviewer Kenneth Brown commented in his
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Blu-ray review , "Pirates of the Caribbean still has enormous box office draw, but if the current trend continues, you have to wonder how many more sequels audiences will gulp down before seeking out sweeter waters. Thankfully, Disney's 3D release has a few things going for it. A solid 3D presentation and an even stronger 2D transfer gets the Blu-ray edition off to a striking start, a top tier DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track sweetens the deal."
Thinking back on
The Crow, one has to wonder if it wasn't for Brandon Lee's performance, how well would this film had stood up to the test of time. The story is raw and the script is weak, but the ability for Lee to be a terrifying presence and angelic figure in the same scene makes the film a favorite among film fans. Thankfully, we finally get to witness Lee's near perfect (and unfortunate final) starring appearance in high definition.
For the
The Crow Blu-ray review , staff reviewer Jeffrey Kaufman commented, "If you accept The Crow on its own terms, suspending disbelief while at the same time remaining aware of the challenges the filmmakers faced after Lee's unfortunate death, the film is tremendously exciting and is a great example of Proyas feeling his way into the impressive visual sweep he would show so brilliantly in his later films."