There is a great Western film directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Johnny Depp. However, it is not “The Lone Ranger,” now in theaters.
That great movie was “Rango,” a highly stylized and smart, animated feature from 2011. Depp voiced an ordinary chameleon that found himself the sheriff of a small town in need of a hero.
“Rango” is 40 minutes shorter than “The Lone Ranger” and more impactful. Plus, younger viewers won’t be as frightened.
That’s not to say Verbinski’s relaunch of the classic cowboy adventure series is bad.
“The Lone Ranger” features a gallimaufry of great storytelling, acting and visuals.
Depp plays sidekick Tonto and ends up stealing the movie. One could wonder why the movie wasn’t titled “Tonto: The Weird One.”
Armie Hammer, known for his roles in “The Social Network” and “J. Edgar,” plays the title character and appears to have stronger morals this box office season than the Man of Steel himself. It’s quite a refreshing portrayal, even with the gore and violence that surrounds him.
Where this movie really works is in the action sequences and the interaction between the Ranger and Tonto.
Oddly though for a Disney film, this is not appropriate for young children. The PG-13 rating is easily earned. William Fichtner plays a convincing and scary villain — the unscrupulous outlaw Butch Cavendish.
Fans of the classic TV series will note sequences edited to the iconic William Tell Overture.
3/5 Stars
‘Despicable Me 2’
The tiny, yellow minions are back and just as hilarious as they were in the original 2010 film. (They are getting their own movie December 2014.) The kids, whom ex-villain Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) adopts in the first film, continue as the emotional core. The youngest and cutest kid, Agnes (Elsie Fisher), will bring tears to audiences’ eyes. The story this time around is not quite as creative, but it still provides some enjoyable moments.
4/5 Stars
‘The Heat’
Sandra Bullock and Melissa Mc-Carthy star in this female buddy cop comedy. Both play to their strengths and stereotypes. Bullock is the FBI agent and McCarthy is the zany one who steals your heart. While audiences have seen both play these roles before, the chemistry and comedic timing between the two are undeniable. Directed by Paul Feig (Mount Clemens, Mich., native), whose last movie, “Bridesmaids,” was a standout hit, “The Heat” feels lukewarm at times and it underperforms.
3/5 Stars
‘World War Z’
A surprisingly good take on the zombie genre, this Brad Pitt film featuresthrills à la “I Am Legend” and provides for a truly enjoyable blockbuster.
4/5 Stars
‘Man of Steel’
This relaunch of the Superman saga is fantastic. Audiences are given a wonderful origin story for the Man of Steel, à la Christopher Nolan, who is a producer (think “Batman Begins”). Henry Cavill and Amy Adams are the perfect Clark Kent and Lois Lane, while Michael Shannon plays a scary good villain. (The 3-D can be avoided.)
5/5 Stars
Watch Toledo Free Press Film Editor James A. Molnar discuss movies on “WNWO Today” around 5:50 a.m. on Fridays. Also, listen to him discuss movies on “Eye on Your Weekend” on 1370 WSPD every Friday at 6 p.m. Read more at toledofreepress.com/movies.
