Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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When a bump in the road ejects a little chameleon, complete with his terrarium, from the back window of the family vehicle while on a road trip through the desert, our little hero (who fancies himself to be quite the actor) finds himself in a desperate fight for survival.
Taking the advice of old Roadkill, and ancient Armadillo (voiced by Alfred Molina), he decides to take his chances by crossing the desert. Eventually he stumbles upon a community of rag tag creatures who are struggling to find out why their water supply is drying up.
"Rango" won't go down in the annals of legendary animation but it's fun.
Ah, this is his big chance. Plying his thespian skills, our little lizard (voiced by Johnny Depp) adopts the name of Rango and conjures up a reputation convincing the townsfolk that he's just the reptile to be their sheriff. As the investigation into the water shortage begins, we're introduced to a delightful gaggle of little beasts, all reminiscent of characters from the great old classic westerns.
Isla Fisher gives voice to Beans, a desert iguana fighting to hold on to her daddy's land after his mysterious, untimely demise. Bill Nighy is the notorious Rattlesnake Jake who slithers into town to do the bidding of his evil employer. Abigail Breslin is the wide-eyed little field mouse, Pricilla, who wants to believe in Rango but has her doubts. And, of course you've got to have grizzly sidekicks. This film is full of them, but I especially like the horned toad, Waffles, who sounds and looks a bit like Peter Lorre.
The creative, visual world depicted in "Rango" is wonderful. There's a treat in every scene. But a lot of that creativity will go over the heads of the younger crowd; for example there's a nod to Clint Eastwood as Timothy Olyphant gives voice to "The Spirit of the West" that the traditional animated audience won't get, but I loved. I love the mournful mariachis that periodically appear and sing of the inevitable demise of Rango.
Now, this film won't go down in the annals of legendary animation but it's fun and parents will enjoy the film along with their kids. "Rango" is rated PG for some of the violence and scary images, plus there's a little mild language. I'm giving it 3 stars.
