Visually Stunning “Rango” a Tongue-In-Cheek Romp
If Noah Cross’s foreboding white Stetson in Chinatown still sets the hairs of your arm on end, then there’s a good chance you’ll take a lot more away from Gore Verbinski’s animated effort Rango than most other audience members. Because thanks to the westerns and noiry mysteries that came before it, the cheekier aspects of the lizard-led adventure pay tribute like an homage to all things Sergio Leone and Roman Polanski. Sounds like a tall order for what’s been advertised as a goofy kids’ movie set in the Wild West starring an unlikely hero (a formerly terrarium-bound pet lizard named… well, we never find out for sure) who’s charged with rescuing the small town of Dirt’s dwindling water supply.
The truth is, though, this latest pairing of Verbinski and the ubiquitous Johnny Depp (they previously worked on the Pirates of the Caribbean movies together) is anything but a family film. From it’s high-brow references to its questionable violence and tongue-in-cheek innuendoes, there’s nothing here that necessarily merits a higher MPAA rating, but most of it will certainly go over younger moviegoers’ heads.
But let’s start with what works for Rango as a family adventure movie. The visuals are obviously one of the most successful elements at play here. The animation is astounding, especially considering it’s coming out of hit-or-miss Nickelodeon Studios – perhaps the work of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) is what’s truly excelling. There are definitely remnants of ILM’s “ugly-pretty” work on The Dark Crystal and E.T. popping up here. And that’s the recurring theme throughout – the characters are across-the-board hideous (from scaly reptiles to grungy rats walking on their hinders and sporting Old West attire and moth-eaten bonnets), but the details put into the animation are supremely commendable. The townspeople of Dirt are simply fascinating reads, right down to the smallest hunk of matted fur or tobacco-worn yellowed tooth.
But for a film buff, the most fun you’ll have watching Rango is by pinpointing the myriad film references being made throughout the movie. From its obvious borrowing from the major connecting plot of Chinatown - right down to the aforementioned Stetson – to its Clint Eastwood western roots, Rango’s story is a big slice of geeking out on the parts of the writers and animators. You can tell they had great fun putting this series of classic vignettes together. And leading the story, a Greek chorus of sorts, a quartet of owls in Mariachi garb singing the fate of our frail hero, like something out of a Sergio Leone epic. (And let’s not forget that bat-equals-helicopter scene in which you could practically hear Robert Duvall gushing over the smell of napalm while “Ride of the Valkyries” blasted in the background.)
Speaking of the aural work at play, it’s nice to see Depp returning to what he truly does best – avoiding phoning it in for a paycheck (*cough* The Tourist *cough*) and jumping on-board with a truly unique piece of work. Does anyone even remember a world when he wasn’t the country’s biggest box office star and was in fact the pale weirdo who headlined Ed Wood and Edward Scissorhands? This movie definitely helps one to remember those days fondly.
So, though most ticket-buyers will probably have come for the Depp, they will certainly stay for the host of gruesome but endearing characters that make up Rango’s posse, straight outta Dirt. Though Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Alfred Molina, and Ned Beatty (the poor man can find no work these days aside from the menacing and power-hungry in animated outings) headline the voice cast, there is ample talent on display amongst the lesser-known actors. Alex Manugian is full of demented glee as the creepy but fun-loving Spoons (some sort of bearded mouse, I presume?), and Gil Birmingham is uncomfortably humorous as the odd-duck “Wounded Bird” who doesn’t seem to realize he has an arrow pierced through his eye socket.
And that’s just about the gist of Rango. Through a two-hour sit, you’re met with the likes of every disgusting rodent you can think of, donning never-washed western garments and at least one or two gruesome battle scars, and a story that makes you feel as though The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly was just reincarnated. It’s enjoyable, to say the very least.
A-
Notes: Rated PG for rude humor, language, action and smoking.
16 Comments
This was a lot of fun, at least for those who know their Westerns. I liked it right through the “ballad of Rango”-style song that plays over the end credits.
Rango / Of his story they sang-o
Frankly speaking, the commercials for this looked atrocious in my eyes. Judging from your review, I can see why. Being a big fan of Sergio Leone westerns, this actually sounds interesting now. I might make a visit out to see what’s up, but I don’t award points to a film for being overtly referential – especially if there’s little underneath.
Great review. Really looking forward to Rango after hearing plenty of positive responses. The trailer, I admit, looked pretty ordinary too. But I’ll check it out as soon as it is released…i think in two days over here.
Great review Luke!
I’m with Univarn in that I am wary of films that are overtly referential but this film seems to be getting a lot of good responses.
This may present a problem for Pixar this year. A big problem.
I want to see this so fucking bad, and I have no idea why. It used to be, back in pre=pre=production, the Johnny Depp factor, but since I’m over him and his Burton ilk, it’s must be the Gonzo lizards.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Little longer than it needed to be but just a really fun ride. Visuals were astoundingly realistic and intricate but it’s more than just eye candy. The story is compelling and the voice talent was terrific. Did not expect to like it this much especially, as you mentioned, since it came from Nickelodeon studios. Fine review Luke!!
Noah Cross’s foreboding white Stetson in “Chinatown” DOES still set the hairs of my arm on end! Now I’m intrigued to see this. Damn it.
Nice review. I did enjoy this film. Though, you are right, some of the film really seemed inappropriate for younger audiences! But the search for tributes throughout the film made it fun! It was a fun movie to watch, although some stuff left my friends and I scratching our heads for a quick second or two!
I haven’t seen a bad review of this yet, makes me REALLY want to see this even more. I might have to catch this in the theater, can’t wait until it’s out on rental. That green bug-eyed face is just too cute!
Great review! Got to catch this, it sounds a bit different but very enjoyable!
I am so glad this film seems to be getting so many positive reviews (yours included). I was worried when I first heard about Rango, because I wasn’t terribly enamored with its concept – having seen some trailers and footage from the film during its promotional run has changed my mind.
Great review, and I’m looking forward to seeing this one!
I love the play on Noah Cross from “Chinatown” as well as the Lee Marvin/ Lee Van Cleef. Also, the spirit “Red Rock West” (one of Cage’s great early performances before he stopped reading the scripts of the movies he signed on for) is channeled in this film. The ending is pure “High Noon,” which isn’t my favorite western (that would be “High Plains Drifter” or “Fistful of Dollars”) but it’s a nice touch for the fans. With Cars 2 being Pixar’s contribution this year–and who really wanted a Cars 2, or all their films to make a sequel to–I think “Rango” has a good shot at some awards.
I saw it today! I loved it. Stunning animation, a perfect voice-cast and a myriad of classic cultural references. An adult animation for film buffs. Certainly not for the kiddies, those Dirt folk are pretty hideous.
I loved watching this, but my friend was indifferent, claiming it was because the begining of the movie was “too slow.” However, I still thought it was delightful and easily one of the most memorable films yet in 2011.
Even though I hear there are snake scenes, I still want to see Rango.
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