Gore Verbinski‘s Rango is a through-and-through epic western comedy, starring a chameleon. This is not your average animated kiddie feature. Verbinski’s first dive into the animated world is unlike his two enjoyable, if meandering, Pirates of the Carribean sequels in that it has a real story to back its grand scope.
Rango almost feels like a response to those bloated and messy films. It’s got heart. It’s got clear stakes. It’s got actual plot momentum. Everything lacking in the Pirate sequels is present here.
The story more-or-less fits the standard tropes of the western genre, but it does so with a twist. Rango is the ultimate animated meta film. It’s constantly self-referential. The film is well aware it’s playing in familiar territory, so it’s a smart move on Verbinski and John Logan’s (the very talented scribe behind The Aviator and Sweeney Todd) part to add the meta aspect. Not only does the film comment on itself, but it is filled with references that any film geek will get and will quietly go over childrens’ heads without diverting their attention. There is a Chinatown nod. There is a Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas nod. There is, without spoiling the hilarious and oddly existential moment, a nod to one of the most celebrated iconic actors of the western genre. The tip-of-the-hats go on and on.
It’s been quite sometime since Johnny Depp has been so charming, likable and charismatic in a role. For the past few years, he’s either been doing whacky shtick or playing mopey. Last year it became most apparent that Depp wasn’t at the top of his game with Alice in Wonderland and The Tourist. In Alice, especially, Depp’s Mad Hatter couldn’t have felt more soulless and downright annoying. Depp’s Rango simply wants to be the hero he’s seen in so many films and stories. He’s lived a sheltered life, so why wouldn’t the lovable chameleon jump at the chance to be a town savior?
The action is wonderfully put together and distinct. No frame is spared when it comes to detailing this world. Everything about Rango may not completely work – the third act does not quite live up to the hype, both in the action and the love story department – but what does work makes for a tremendously entertaining and funny animated adventure film with a terrific protagonist not soon to be forgotten.