Obsequiousmelon loved Rango

Name of the Film:  Rango

Starring:  Johnny Depp, Isla Fischer. 

Rango (Johnny Depp) is a lizard that lives in a tank, sheltered from the world but a keen thespian non the less.  When he falls out the back of the car (this happens a lot in american films, do they really not notice when their expensive aquarium/tank/cage falls out of their car and smashes all over the road?) he finds himself alone and must head out into the desert to find first water and then perhaps a life beyond what he already knows.

Rango is an odd mix of ideas.  It is a western, a fish out of water comedy, an uplifting journey of self discovery and a family animation film.  Like Pixar in top form it juggles all of these and it is also so much more, but this is much more quirky and off the wall than any other animated film I have seen for a while but it all works, wonderfully well.

Directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Johnny Depp it seems odd that the previous film that united them was Pirates of the Caribbean but the slightly subversive nature of both the films stories and their main characters are intrinsic to their success.

Rango lives and dies on the charisma of its main character.  If you love Johnny Depp then you will love this film and I’m guessing that most of you do.  

The story is very simple and we have been here before but that doesn’t matter as we are presented with such wonderful characters at every turn.  Although I must say that if I have one complaint it is the resolution of the character Rattlesnake Jake, it feels a little forced.  But that complaint is tiny when compared to the utter joy that every other moment gives you.

It’s quirky, bizarre, slightly oddball but always well thought out, beautifully animated and will charm you into wanting it not to end.

This is the kind of film we should be wanting to see more of from Hollywood.  It takes well warn themes and ideas and plays with them.  What results is wholly original and a joy from start to finish.

Did I enjoy the film?  Yes.

Would I recommend it to my friends?   Yes.

Will I buy it on DVD/Blu Ray?  Yes

If it was a mate would I let it date my Sister?  Yes