The Lone Ranger rides again with this big-budget Walt Disney Pictures production starring Johnny Depp as Tonto and Armie Hammer as the famed gunman. The story centers on Tonto’s recollection of the adventures that found lawman John Reid transformed into The Lone Ranger, legendary hero of the Old West.
I didn’t grow up watching a lot of Westerns, but I am familar with the genre in my own years as a film follower. So, in coming out of producer/director Gore Verbinski‘s latest film, The Lone Ranger, I was not too familiar with the original source material, but I liked it. The film has its good and bad moments, some stale moments that leave you waiting to want more, and some moments where it definitely counted to stay for the finale.
Gore applies his usual penchant for comedic high jinx and spectacular stunts, such is what he is known for largely in his Pirates Of The Caribbean film series. Accordingly, his pivotal choice for actor/co-executive producer Johnny Depp to play the role of eccentric commanche warrior, Tonto, serves the film well, as Depp is able to naturally transform himself into larger-than-life roles, something he has proven throughout his entire film career. Armie Hammer plays the title character and center of Tonto’s narration, John Reed, a studious prosecutor who arrives back home and is suddenly deputized by his ranger brother, Dan, only to be presumed dead and then reincarnated as the Lone Ranger after witnessing his death and that of his fellow rangers at the hands of a carnivorous, psychotic fugitive and his posse. William Fichtner was great as the second lead villain alongside the film’s main antagonist, which I am keeping a mystery. And considering that Fichtner is a pretty damn good actor, I am peculiarly intrigued by what lies ahead in his upcoming role in Jonathan Liebesman’s “Eric Sachs” rendition of Shredder in next year’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. (I’ll save that topic for another day.)
In the grand scheme of things, there were some very goofy parts of the film that had me shaking my head. Of course, I lend that to the film’s comedy element, which I largely credit on the part of Johnny Depp, and the venerable, agile and hilariously charming “spirit” horse (later named “Silver”, of course), that appears upon Reed’s return from the “other” side. There are some very poignant moments throughout the film as well, some of which include flashback sequences highlighting Tonto’s younger-self and how he came to be, and other scenes focused on characters John and his brother’s wife and son, Rebecca and Danny, played by actress Ruth Wilson and actor Bryant Prince. I also enjoyed some of the moments between John and Tonto, whose albeit reluctant partnership with each other begins largely as any action adventure would between two heroes with conflicting philosophies, and later evolving as they learn to rely on each other to bring law and justice, and ultimately, vengeance to criminals the only way they eventually can. Some film critics and viewers have their opinions about how the two heroes were handled by Verbinski and co. in this interpretation of the story, which is actually one of a few. At any rate though, for what its worth, Depp’s attempt to “reinvent the relationship” was a success.
The Lone Ranger brings a nice, adventurous and fun film to audiences, and if you are a hardcore fan and this review gives you nothing else, then hopefully the climatic use of Giaochino Rossini‘s finale to the William Tell Overture in Hans Zimmer‘s score will make it worth your while. It is unfortunate, though, that the film is not doing as good as one may hope for sequels’ sake, but I grant that some viewers had their own expectations. But remember, this is not exactly Unforgiven or Open Range, or even 3:10 To Yuma-obviously totally different films compared to this one from Disney, so if you go to see this movie, do not look for anything short of a simple, fun family Western that introduces as classic, iconic film, television and radio character of the last century. And I definitely recommend it if a family film with some action is more your speed. If not though, then I do recommend waiting for it on digital or DVD release if you are still interested.
To read my most recent interview with one of the stuntwomen from the film, actress Michelle Jubilee Gonzalez, click HERE.
The Lone Ranger is directed by Gore Verbinski, and stars Armie Hammer, Johnny Depp, William Fichtner, Tom Wilkinson, Ruth Wilson, James Badge Dale, Helena Bonham Carter and Barry Pepper. The film is written by Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio and is produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.