Rango (2011)

Title, Year:  Rango (2011)

Director:  Gore Verbinski

As a father, I’m a big believer in truth through marketing.  I like to understand via a trailer or promotional material whether or not the film will be suitable for my child.  As a consumer, I know I have a responsibility to research, Rango is rated PG – for language, rude humor, action and smoking - but that cautionary description doesn’t really tell you whether or not the film will be suitable for your child in my opinion.  Pixar has spoiled family audiences by providing fun, thoughtful entertainment that successfully weaves plotlines, dialogue, and characters into movies easily enjoyed by kids and adults alike.  I think it’s ok to say that what Pixar delivers on a current basis (whether you take any of the Toy Story films or The Incredibles as examples), is nothing short of magic and some of the best films Hollywood has to offer these days.

Now back to Rango.  Rango, the movie, tries really hard to be a thoughtful, almost existential examination on finding one’s purpose and strength in this life.  There are speckled moments of reference to spaghetti westerns of old as well as to the person providing the lead voice, Johnny Depp.  These feel like insider clips designed to make the adults attending the film feel good that they pick up on them.  Rango, the character, is a lizard who ends up stranded in an unnamed desert and stumbles onto a town of fellow animal inhabitants that is ruled by laws of the old west and a questionable tortoise as mayor.  The town has a severe water shortage and Rango, through a series of events, has to make a choice to believe in himself and work to unravel the mysteries plaguing the town. 

The movie is the first animated film by Industrial Light and Magic, and it does contain top notch visuals and sound.  The characters are cast with appropriate voices.  Johnny Depp is his usual quirky self as the lead lizard.  Isla Fisher is cast as a fellow lizard with issues controlling her reactions to fear.  Bill Nighy is the voice of Rattlesnake Jake, and a perfect piece of casting. 

Here are my issues with Rango.  I thought it was boring overall, which is a cardinal sin for an animated adventure.  The attempts at humor largely fall flat and the story is way too dense for children to really engage.  Also, I wasn’t bothered by the use of language in the film but more so by the dark nature and tone of the overall film.  Way too much for a movie clearly marketed as a children’s film.

You can keep Rango, I’ll wait for Cars 2.