When seeing a lizard in a Hawaiian shirt with Johnny Depp’s name listed at the bottom of the movie poster, with no other information about the movie to go on, I was hoping this film wasn’t going to be “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” animated. I actually didn’t know what to expect, only that Depp has been on a role (calling for a mulligan on The Tourist) of making creative witty films. Can the movie of a lizard called Rango be any good? Very much so indeed!
This is an animated spaghetti western which can be the spark for a dying genre. When Rango started, I didn’t know what to make of it. I came to the movie with no expectations and no idea where this movie was headed. As it headed from a modernistic film which evolves with the west, it becomes a film that even my five year old enjoyed watching.
Rango, directed by Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean series, The Ring) takes on an animated feature of a Lizard who decided to call himself Rango, played by Johnny Depp (Alice & Wonderland, Public Enemies, Pirates of the Caribbean), is trying to find a life, an identity, a friendship outside of the box he lived in. His wish came in an unexpected moment, and he is left out in the middle of a desert with his plastic fish yet free, but still all alone. With guidance from Road kill played by Alfred Molina (Prince of Persia, Spiderman) to head to a town called Dirt.
Rango starts fibbing who he was to fit in with the locals, trying to become their hero in finding water, which the town has been suffering from a drought, forcing people to sell their lands and depend on the water reserve from the town bank.
Through the adventures and wittiness of Rango, the town of Dirt has hope that they can find a way to survive and have the town of dirt prosper.
The best part about this film is that it felt like a great tribute to Clint Eastwood, who is one of the most iconic Cowboys in film history. Some will debate that comment with John “The Duke” Wayne, but Clint Eastwood has brought so much not only to Westerns like The Good, The Bad and the Ugly and A Fistful of Dollars, but also to Unforgiven. You may think how is there a connection with Eastwood and a green Lizard?
See the movie and you will definitely understand. This movie is unique great original movie. What a great film to introduce kids to westerns.
If you like this film, I recommend:
The 3 Amigos(1986)
Silverado (1985)
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)