Yes, I’m a bit off base here. This isn’t really a nerd themed movie. Though the Lone Ranger has comic book roots. Seen quite recently in Mark Waid’s Green Hornet. Despite this, the movie raises a very specific and very important concept. The idea of a hero. As the teaser for Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D says “Not all heroes are super”. This movie embodies that ideal in its purist form. Before I say more on that, I’ll go through the movie like I would any other.
The cast is diverse. Johnny Depp is obviously the “star” of the film and does take most of the comedic and many of the dramatic moments into his character. But he isn’t the shining star of the film. That goes to Armie Hammer who does a fantastic job as the masked do-gooder. He does a superb job convincing the audience that he has what it takes to be a hero and manages to embrace the camp to do it. In fact Tonto often serves as the anti-camp to the film. Funny to see Depp playing the straight man in the film. Helena Bonham Carter’s role is forgettable, limiting the damage she could do to the film, while Tom Wilkinson is out in full villainous force once again. He does play a villain well.
The plot is intricate while being predictable. Though the movie has its share of “twists”, a skilled movie goers sees them all coming from the minute they are teased. This isn’t a hindrance to the movie, and instead feels like a hearkening back to the roots of the franchise. We know they are the bad guys when the heroes don’t. It’s a classic bit, and it pays off oh so well in the film.
The film is action packed and full of laughs. It does a splendid job at maintaining a dramatic heart while delivering on the comedic element that we all expected to see. It embraces the camp, and the entire last fight seen is one of the campiest and awesome scenes I have seen to date. The final score to that scene was so perfect, you just wanted to giggle out of excitement (or past tense “did” if you are a dork such as myself).
The movie is chock full of references to the original Lone Ranger. Often times making fun of it. Which is a good way to reference the past in my book.
This movie manages to retain the campy fun that the original franchise is all about, while updating it for a modern audience. By focusing it in a more family friendly manner, Disney may have sacrificed a big blockbuster hit akin to a super hero movie, but they didn’t try. They went in the opposite direction.
There isn’t really anything to compare it too. This movie fits in a unique niche among movies I normally watch. Though I will say that I definitely enjoyed this film more than I thought I would and probably more than I should have. Definitely in the top three best movies I’ve watched this year.
Favorite part of the movie: The very last line of the film. Hilarious reference to the original that had me squeeing and rolling on the floor laughing. Perfect.
Least favorite part of the movie: Helena Bonham Carter’s role. Seemed pointless and forced. I don’t like her anyway, but though her role was forgettable, I can’t really see why she’s in the film at all.
Final film score?
The Lone Ranger gets an 8 in my books.
Aside from being just pure movie watching fun, in a way that only Disney could offer. The movie does one thing that truly shines. Though a western, our hero embodies that of a hero. And though he is willing to witness the death of a bad man. He doesn’t do so by his own hand. Yes. He is responsible for killing people. But that’s either on accident or chance. He himself never directly kills another man. And the Lone Ranger even hates the use of guns with stunning conviction. Given my thoughts on a certain other movie that is in theatres at the moment, it was refreshing. To understand heroes today, we must first look to the heroes of the past. The Lone Ranger stands as one of the purist ideals of a hero. It’s a shame that any version of Superman should take a page from his book. But it certainly does so here. Don’t get me wrong. The Lone Ranger is responsible for death, but never at his hand. For any reason. Looks like we have to turn to a lawman from yesteryear to get the Supermorality of the future.
Until the next time, let the hate come.
Rn
Ravingnerd 