Rango (PG)
In 2009, we saw the visually arresting and highly emotional story of Up. In 2010, we were treated with the visually arresting and equally emotional story of How To Train Your Dragon. Now, in 2011, we are treated with the visually stunning, not so emotional, but utterly bizarre Rango.
The trailers for the movie point out that–besides having Johnny Depp in it–it’s from the director of Pirates of The Caribbean, also starring Depp. But be warned. Fans of Pirates will have very little to love about this film. They are nothing alike, and is in a completley different universe and has a completley different sense of humor. However, fans of Johnny Depp will fit right in and will love the almost incoherent babble that seems to constantly flow from Rango’s mouth.
Rango(the character) is a lonely, terrarium dwelling lizard who, upon being ejected from the back of a car via collision, is left both thirsty and lonely. After a few bizarre occurences in the desert, lands himself in the drought-stricken town of “Dirt”. For the writer to have the gawl to actually name a desert town “Dirt” pretty much gives you an idea of what’s to come. Rango decides to re-create himself as a cold-blooded killer, landing him the role of Sheriff.
And off we go into the world of Rango. Greedy mayors, a beautifully animated desert and town, and oh, I forgot to mention, there are Gatling Gun sporting Bats, dynamite throwing moles, and a rattlesnake with a machine gun for a rattle. And so, the weirdness goes on. But luckily, the weirdness is surprisingly easy to swallow, given how amazing everything looks. The tiniest details are rarely left unnoticed, completley immersing the audience in the world of Rango.
I would feel bad slobbering all over the film without mentioning the one aspect I didn’t enjoy. The dialogue in the film is…interesting to say the least. For example, in one scene the film is jaw-dropingly intelligent and witty (think Alan Sorkin), while moments later just mentioning the word “poop” or “pee” is expected to get a laugh. This is easily forgotten and half-forgiven by the cinematography and visual design, but it’s something that needs mentioning.
I for one would never call Rango a “kids” movie, just like you wouldn’t call the two films I mentioned at the beginning “kids” movies. Not because of the small amount of adult content, but because Rango is so flat out weird. It’s a movie for literally anyone who just wants to be entertained, whether it’s a 9-year-old who wants to see pretty colors, hear poop jokes and gunfire, or the 9-year-old’s father who will be charmed by the films odd ability to point to older movies in the genre without being obvious.
Hans Zimmer’s score is also a great tribute to the spaghetti westerns that the film is so excited to reference at every turn.
{SEE IT}
