Rango
This movie did thousands of things perfectly, but I didnt like it.
I recommend that you all see it because my reasons for disliking are odd and I will certainly be in the minority.
The story is definitely a Western. A simple story of an unlikely hero vs a corrupt bad guy. Simple, tight, quirky as heck and lots of action.
Lots of really good smartass adult one-liners.
The animation is spectacular. The attention to detail cant be questioned. Its truly glorious.
The cinematography is wild and wooly and pays blatant homage to a number of directors, including Sergio Leone, David Lynch, George Lucas, the Coen Brothers and more.
There are great scenes that pay homage to classic movies like Star Wars, the Wizard of Oz, Raiders of the Lost Ark and others.
The art direction is award winning calibre.
Editing is terrific.
The voice work is enthusiastic and terrific. Depp was fantastic, and the supporting cast is just fabulous as well.
Sound design and editing were mindboggling good and the detail is incredible.
Lighting work just kicks ass. Amazing.
Hans Zimmers original score is fabulous and his blatant rip offs of Ennio Morricone and others were smashing tributes to some of the greats.
So, what didnt I like? Four things didnt work for
me.
1. Few movies are able to successfully blend comedy elements with very dark elements to produce a balance that works. Rango tried, but it didnt work for
me. I enjoyed the funny and quirky, the dark left me cold. And I am someone who loves Grave of the Fireflies.
2. Rango (the animated character) was adorable and quirky as heck. Just terrific really.
For me, all the other characters were animated too close to reality. Way too realistic looking and downright ugly. Some/most of the critters were so disgusting looking and creepy that it bothered me the entire flick. Grotesque instead of cute. Yep, that ugly.
3. The action scenes were sustained too long and over the top, disrupting the pacing.
4. I love foul language in films for realism. Deadwood
But Rango belabored the fart, poop, pee, burp, anus, vomit gags. Too much is not funny, its just too much.
Assigning a numerical rating will be difficult, but I'll have to go with a 2.5/5.
A million "perfect" components blended with something I wanted to stop looking at because it was so ugly.
Go see it, because I am darn near alone in my opinion.
