Reviewed by Kate Rodger
Rango is a lizard, a domesticated chameleon with a penchant for theatrics, who finds himself lost in the desert lacking the life skills to survive the wild west.
He tumbles into the town of Dirt, managing to trick the town's bedraggled assortment of residents into believing he's the hero they need to help restore their water supply. Rango blags his way into the sheriff’s office, and through a series of mishaps, misdeeds, misadventures and misfires, Rango faces off against his own destiny.
In keeping with his chameleon nature Rango the movie is an interesting beast who will be different things to different people. This movie is some parts strange, some parts dark, most parts hilarious and all parts animated.
For my part, I loved every minute, as the filmmakers tip their Stetson at everything from the spaghetti western to Hunter S Thompson.
So is Rango family friendly? It’s PG, and while those parental guardians will have plenty to entertain them, pick the hardier kids to take, there's some pretty scary vermin in this thar desert.
If you love animation, love Westerns and love Johnny Depp, there is no place to go but Rango.
Four and a half stars.
3 News
Rango
:: Director: Gore Verbinski
:: Starring: Johnny Depp, Abigail Breslin, Bill Nighy, Isla Fisher, Claudia Black, Alanna Ubach, Stephen Root
:: Running Time: 106 mins
:: Rating: M
:: Release Date: March 10, 2011
:: Trailer: Watch here
