Rango

Rating : 4/10
Release Date : 4th March, 2011
Time : 107 minutes
Director, Co-writer : Gore Verbinski ; Co-Writers : John Logan, James Ward Byrkit ; Music : Hans Zimmer
Starring (voices of) : Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Ned Beatty, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Harry Dean Stanton, Timothy Olyphant, Ray Winstone
This film couldn’t quite decide whether to be a classic western or a spoof of one and so falls in the in-between land where the sun never really shines that brightly. Also, it seriously needed a funnier screenplay (pun intended).




In a story inspired by ‘Chinatown’, Rango is suddenly thrust into the cruel desert and lands up in the town of Dirt where people struggle for water, the most precious resource, which is stored in their bank. The town is under the control of their Mayor, who is stealthily buying up all nearby land which is worthless without the water which is slowly drying up. Rango, in quite funny circumstances, is appointed Sheriff. And then the fun was supposed to begin but instead it gets very serious.




The Mariachi birds, who provide a running singing commentary of the events unfolding, provide some of the funniest moments along with Rango’s running battle with the kite (the bird). The love interest doesn’t really work, neither does the villain, who is too obvious yet doesn’t seem to evoke any resentment / fear from the town folk. The twists don’t curve enough, the jokes don’t go far enough and the music doesn’t stir enough.

So, there you have it. A half baked film, that is neither here nor there. Will definitely not appeal to kids and loses quite a few of the adults too.