The fourth film in the series sets sail with Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow and Geoffrey Rush’s Barbosa on a quest for the legendary fountain of youth.

Sparrow knows the way and is shanghaied by the infamous pirate Blackbeard and his daughter.

Sparrow was the daughter’s first lover. Barbosa claims to have gone straight and is working for the King of England.

-- Local show times, theaters, trailer.

The expedition — like all Pirates of the Caribbean flicks — is a complex expedition combining myth and magic with what is supposed to pass for mirth.

Rob Marshall of the Oscar-winning musical Chicago fame takes the helm from original series director Gore Verbinski. Other than the option of seeing this in 3D, Marshall’s vision of the pirate series adds nothing. It is pretty much paint-by-numbers. He does a great job with the three-dimensional aspect and that helps offset special effects, sets and locations that are standard for the series and no longer all that special.

Penelope Cruz joins the series as Blackbeard’s daughter. Character actor Ian McShane who — more famous for doing animated voices than on-screen performances — plays Blackbeard. The pirate in this case is demonic and can control all the sails and ropes on his ship with his mind.

McShane seems to be the only person in the cast having some fun with his character.

None of the follow-up flicks to the outrageously fun and funny The Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl have been that good. They work for fans only because Depp continued the character. No matter what character or actor is added to the mix, Depp is the attraction — not the Disney theme-park effects or the not-quite-up-to-par plots.

There are advantages for actors repeating a character in a sequel. They get more familiar with the nuances of the personality and can add a dash of depth here and there. Repeating a character also has potential disadvantages. Danger lies in the character becoming cliche.

Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow is perfect example of both.

For three movies, Depp had a blast with the character and made it hard not to love the flaky pirate. On Stranger Tides is one too many trips to sea. It is the push that turns one of the best characters in movie history to caricature. Instead of reacting and letting the naturally nasty Sparrow be natural, Depp over-amps his delivery. He’s posing rather than acting. Depp does what you expect of Sparrow rather than the unexpected.

Sans Sparrow’s sizzle, Depp’s scenes with the talented and very sexy Cruz are cookie-cutter.

The Jolly Roger isn’t as jolly as the original film, but all is not negative. On Stranger Tides is 30 minutes too long and could use a little more plot on the poop deck, however, the fourth film of the series does have enough yo ho ho to be an entertaining afternoon or evening at the movies.

And on the rumors that Depp is done with the character. Maybe not. Wade through the several minutes of credits and a strange scene tacked on at the end hints there may be a sequel to On Stranger Tides.

Mr. Movie rating: 3 1/2 stars

Rated PG-13 for mature themes. It opens Friday, May 20 at Regal’s Columbia Center 8 and at the Fairchild Cinemas 12.

5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.