Rango

“Rango” may look like another kid movie but this movie is for the grown-ups. The action and comedy both resonate with older audiences rather than younger ones and the flawless animation only adds to the western which is as good as it’s live-action equivalent.

“Rango” tells the story of a chameleon (voiced by Johnny Depp) who finds himself lost in the Mojave Desert. He stumbles upon the town of Dirt, where he realizes he can have a new start. So naturally he makes up and elaborate story that has the town believing he is a tough, hard killer. The town’s people are more convinced of Rango’s exploits when he appears to have killed a vicious hawk.

The mayor (voiced by Ned Beatty) then makes Rango the new sheriff. However, Rango soon has to start acting his part when the town begins to lose its most valuable resource, water. Beans (voiced by Isla Fisher) an attractive lizard asks Rango to fix the water problem before the water, and the town dries up.

“Rango” contains an interesting plot that gives audiences action, adventure and comedy in perfect balance. The comedy uses dialogue, one-liners and some slap-stick that well-earn audience’s laughter. The action also keeps the plot moving from one conflict to another.

Although the movie is undeniably a western there is some mix of a mystery as well when the characters try to figure out what is happening to the water supply. So the plot unfolds almost as a mystery giving the audience clues and hints as to what is going on.

The true beauty of “Rango” is the animation. The animation is incomparable. The characters, which are all animals, look like the real animals and it’s not a cartoonish similarity either. The lizards have life-like scales, the birds life-like feathers, the rabbits life-like fur, at times you forget you are watching an animated movie.

Not only do the characters look like the animals in the real desert, but they manage to look human. Some characters have moustaches and beards, but they still look like real animals. It has the perfect balance between looking human and animal.

The characters also look unique, no two rabbits or lizards look the same. From the way that the characters look to the way they talk and act are all very different.

The characters also manage look like they just walked out of western. They wear the typical western gear hats, boots, vests, bandanas and guns along with the town that gives it the complete picture with a saloon, sheriff’s office, bank everything for a western. Once again they manage to give it this look and still manage to keep the realistic look of the animals.

The characters are complete with incredible voice acting by the cast. The actors give their characters life through their voice which further convinces the audience of the realism. The characters have voices as unique as their characters. Depp gives Rango lots of depth as well by changing the tone of his voice when his character is scared, happy or sad.

The score is also helps gives a western feel but it also adds to the humor since most of it played by a mariachi band of owls that sing and narrate. The birds sing (always foretelling Rango’s eminent demise) and play fitting music; slow songs for the march across the desert as well as a fast-pace posse riding scene. The music makes the film more fun and funnier.

Whatever you do, don’t mistake “Rango” for a mere “kids”. It is not a kid’s movie. Just because it’s animated does not mean it is for children (I don’t ever remember the “all animated movies are for children” rule ever being written). The comedy is geared for adults because most of it dialogue that goes right over the top of the little one’s heads. Also, I don’t remember when children’s movies contained more than one cussword.

“Rango” provides adventurous, fun and comical entertainment that stays true to the classic western. The talented voice actors help the beautiful animation shine even more brilliantly. The Oscars are over but “Rango” is more than likely going to be a candidate for “Best Animated Film” for next year.