Questionable Review: Rango

Animated motion pictures are in something of a renaissance nowadays. Whether it's the (mostly) sublime story-telling of Pixar, the refreshingly slapstick approach of something like Despicable Me, or even the hit and miss stylings of DreamWorks animation, there has been genuine quality released in recent years. Onto that crowded scene saunters Rango, a film whose visual flare and sometimes bizarre style makes it stick out like a sore thumb, much like its titular, city-slicking protagonist. Is that a good thing?

SO WHAT'S THIS MOVIE ABOUT?
Rango is, shall we say, the ballad of a wayward lizard's journey into the wild west. Rango (Johnny Depp) is a domesticated chameleon living a solitary life with a wind-up toy fish, a decapitated Barbie torso, and a plastic palm tree. Rango lives to perform until one day, he is hurled (literally) into the unforgiving Nevada desert. Forced to survive, he comes upon the delapidated wild west town of Dirt, where he uses his acting chops to convince the locals he is a wild west legend. Unfortunately, a legend is just what the town needs to solve their water shortage and to protect them from the terrifying Rattlesnake Jake (Bill Nighy). With the aid of the townsfolk, including the lovely lizard, Beans (Isla Fischer), Rango uncovers a dastardly plot to sabotage the town, and even goes on something of a journey of self-discovery.

SO WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT THIS MOVIE?
The most obvious feature of Rango is its visual style. Follow me when I say this is definitely one of the most beautiful, yet ugly animated films I've seen. All the settings and characters are rendered in immaculate detail, yet many of the characters themselves are often rough and deformed visages of the fairly cute animals they're based off of. It just goes along perfectly with the reverence for and use of iconic western imagery that the film uses, often distorting it in bizarre ways to fit the film's strange sense of humor.

Speaking of which, I've not even mentioned the voice-acting performances yet, which prove superb across the board. In particular, Depp and Fischer work great together as the burgeoning awkward romance of Rango and Beans unfolds. You get the sense the two really played well off one another during the recordings, and it makes it fun for the audience to watch. The film definitely has a bizarre sense of what is funny, mixing child-friendly slapstick with dry adult wit, absurdist humor, and many references that only film buffs will pick up. Somehow, instead of feeling disjointed, it plays out in the film like a beautiful symphony of entertaining comedy.

SO WHAT SUCKS ABOUT THIS MOVIE?
For all its merits, much of Rango's actual plot is fairly predictable. When you strip away much of its character, it is just the typical "fish out of water" story that's been told a million times. Though that doesn't necessarily diminish one's enjoyment of the film, it does stand to say that a few too many of the film's final twists and turns can be seen coming fairly early. Also, although his few appearances are very tension-filled and he does his job as a villain, I feel the character of Rattlesnake Jake was a tad underutilized. It's a shame, too, because Billy Nighy is on his game voicing him. Lastly, it should just be noted that, although kids can probably really like this film, it may not really resonate with a younger audience as a whole.

ANYTHING ELSE?
I actually applaud both Gore Verbinski and Nickelodeon Films for going outside the box with this one. Now, just don't get carried away and make a string of sequels, please.

SO WHAT'S THE FINAL VERDICT?
Rango is a sheer delight. It's a bizarre, heart-felt, and just plain fun to watch film. It may not have the resonant message of something that Pixar may spit out, but that's alright. Rango does its own thing, and that thing is never not enjoyable. No matter what your age, don't hesitate to go see it.