Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

Since 1919

The Prairie News

Johnny Depp heads to the wild west

Rango movie poster. Courtesy of rangotrailer.com.
Rango movie poster. Courtesy of rangotrailer.com.
Rango, a lizard voiced by Johnny Depp, finds himself taking on the duties of the sheriff of Dirt, a western frontier town in the Mojave Desert. From there, the movie begins its decisive struggle. Rango simultaneously aspires to be a comedy like Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles and a serious film similar to Open Range; in the end, it achieves neither.

Although Rango does warrant a few laughs and has some touching moments, most of its scenes seems as if they were meant for two entirely different movies.

The plot is typical: a group faces a crisis. An outsider comes in and inadvertently helps the group. Outsider leads the group, acting like something he is not. Outsider is revealed to be a fraud and leaves. Outsider comes back in the nick of time, saves the day, resolves crisis and gets the girl. Cue credits. This formula rips off so many movies.

The majority of Rango’s strengths lie in its production values. The cinematography is pretty, rich and detailed: one can almost feel like they are going through the Mojave Desert on a miserable road trip with the family. Best yet though, no 3D.

On the subject of families, this film is advertised as a fun film for all. However, a lot of jokes in Rango are over the heads of younger audiences, as there are often references to movies they may not have seen.

In the end, Rango is a loud, pretty-to-look-at drag, which, instead of creating laughs, creates confusion and annoyance.

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