Rango is a bizarre masterpiece that was able to silently redefine the children’s animation genre. It was a very overlooked “kids'' movie that had a short run of popularity before falling under the radar to the public rather quickly. I believe that Rango, as a film, delivers its themes in some of the most unique ways unlike any other films. Production decisions for creating the movie's look, style, and character design were chosen for specific reasons that represent the movie's themes. Writer John Logan and director Gore Verbinski wanted to create a picture that would redefine and establish the creative vision and capabilities of animated films. Old westerns and modern westerns as of 2011 were a dime a dozen, and most would say that they had reached their potential many years ago. Animated talking animal movies are also falling into this pattern, and though some of them are great, they are starting to lose their individuality or are considered children’s films. At the time of its release, nearly every animated movie had a very cute, cuddly, and simple design to the setting and characters. Obviously this softer tone attracts children to the movies. Rango however takes elements like this and uses them as a way to set itself apart. The movie is not sweet and marketable for children but rather, takes a step in its own direction.
The story starts with the protagonist, Rango, stuck in a glass box, as a house pet, without having any understanding of the outside world. While stuck in a search for meaning and purpose, he is propelled into the desert, stranded and all alone. In order to survive he must find water in the small town he finds while walking through the desert. The townspeople are in dire need of a sheriff, a hero-like figure. Though Rango in reality is quite cowardly and kind, nobody in the town knows him, so he convinces the people he is the hero they need to protect them from threats and save them from an ongoing drought. When Rango is faced with the responsibilities of being the cool, smart, gunslingin’ hero the people want, he must try his best to truly become the hero that the people need him to be.
Rango is a story about self identity. If you were given the opportunity for a blank slate, a hard reset at life where you are in a place where nobody knows who you are, would you still choose to have the same personality? To be the same person? Rango starts his journey not really knowing what he wants or who he wants to be, and only after seeing what's considered to be cool in this new environment does he decide on a newly created persona for himself. The gunslinging outlaw protector. However, unlike in every other western, this doesn’t work out for Rango.
The writer's idea when making Rango an animated western was that the characteristics used to make something or someone unique, over time, will become the ones that become regular and over used. Trends come and go, as do movie styles like old fashion, classic westerns. This idea corresponds with themes that Rango himself goes through during the film. The town that he finds himself in is in need of order. The entire population is literally and figuratively full of thirst. They need something, something new that will save them. When Rango tries to be like what the people expect, he either gets very lucky or he fails them. Only after his jig is truly up (similar to how the western genre died off) does he learn that being what the people really need is for him to be himself. Not for him to pretend to be a hero and coward when he's faced with a challenge, but to take it head on in the way that fits for him. That's what the movie Rango represents to the genre of westerns , being the unexpected and bizarre misfit that doesn’t do what everyone does. It doesn’t try to fit in with the norm, but rather challenges the crazy concept of what makes a great western great.. At times it even mocks the ideas of traditional westerns.
The film won eight awards including 2012’s Academy Award for best animated feature film. Johnny Depp stars as the voice actor for Rango, along with other cast members such as Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Isla Fisher, Ray Winstone, Timothy Olyphant, and director Gore Verbinsky as multiple characters. Johnny Depp stole the show in this one, and you can really tell that he and the other cast members had a lot of fun with the characters. Original music score by Hans Zimmer.
I love watching this movie anytime. It’s fun and simple, yet mature and complex at the same time.. I laugh watching it everytime. If you haven't seen it, it's available on HBO Max and sometimes available on Hulu. I highly recommend it. Although it is rated PG and for any audience, this is an animated film that parents can appreciate and laugh at with their children.
4.0✰/ 5
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