"Rango" Review

Overflowing with verbal humor and visual wackiness, "Rango," a new animated film from director Gore Verbinski ("Pirate of the Caribbean"), snaps along at a quick pace with its off-the-wall humor, frenzied action sequences, and emotional warmth. The film follows Rango - a lonely domestic lizard - as he ventures into the desert to live amongst other desert animals. In order to fit in with his fellow animals, Rango (voiced by Johnny Depp) pretends to be a tough-as-nails gunslinger. While Rango's ruse proves amusing for him at first, the animals naively buy in to his tall tale and elect him town sheriff. As Rango takes on his sheriff duties, which include solving the town's water shortage and chasing off a mean hawk, he slowly breaks free from his isolation and finds purpose in serving a warm, appreciative community of fellow desert animals. "Rango" very eloquently illustrates this idea of community, without resorting to sappy dialogue or overwrought sentimentality. Instead, the film creates a rag tag group of zany characters that win the audience's affection and lend the film a stronger emotional connection. However, what truly makes the film original is its loony sense of humor. From witty wordplay to hysterical sight gags, "Rango" displays nearly impeccable comic timing. In short, it makes for one heck of a good time at the movies. (And, yes, I did just end this short review with a cliche).