Blind Wink Productions, GK Films, Nickelodeon Movies
Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Ned Beatty, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Stephen Root, Harry Dean Stanton, Timothy Olyphant, Ray Winstone
Rango (Johnny Depp) is a Chameleon who, being able to shift to his surroundings, naturally wants to be an actor. He performs his plays in the terrarium in which he lives along with such friends as a wind up fish and half a kids doll. Needless to say because these are lifeless objects, they do not perform up to the standards of Rango. But a sudden accident finds Rango stranded all alone out on the highway in the middle of the Mojave Desert until he meets Beans (Isla Fisher). Walking to find water brings him to the town of Dirt, a failing town full of reptiles and the like with no water. One by one the residents are giving up, selling off their land and moving out of Dirt. Rango finds many opportunities to carry on his craft of acting, and becomes the Mayor and sets out to save Dirt. But there are some really evil outlaws waiting to see that Rango doesn’t make it through the day.
This is a successful animated film. Rango is such a lovable character, that we feel for him as he lies and bluffs his way into the minds and hearts of the people of Dirt, making them believe that he alone can find water and save the town. But he’s bit off a bit more than he can chew, and it looks like curtains for poor Rango and the end of Dirt. Rango works because the story is so clever and the character is very fun to watch. We know Rango’s a buffoon and has no idea what he’s doing, but he’s so intent on helping the town and the people he has come to care very much for that he wants to do it so bad. This film is as good as any live action western, and has a lot of good values and reasons to keep you interested in what happens. I was expecting to be disappointed, but I wasn’t. Try as I might, I couldn’t look away and the movie pulled me in right away and kept me riveted throughout the film to the closing credits. Nickelodeon has done a fine job with this film, and should be commended. I recommend Rango for adults and children alike, as it’s a good story, sure to keep everyone’s interest.
EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog
