Animated fun with the voice talents of Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher and Ned Beatty

Rating: 8/10 (8 January 2012)

This is a film I've wanted to see for some time, although I didn't know all that much about it. Recommendations did the trick, but it never made it to my local cinema and so I waited for a TV airing. As you can probably guess, it aired this week and I'm pleased to say the recommendations were correct! Although not quite up there with the best of the Pixar films, it's still very entertaining and beautifully animated. I will give you my thoughts after this brief summary.
When a pet chameleon is involved in an accident that leaves him on a desert road, he looks for help. It first comes in the form of an old armadillo called Roadkill; he sets the chameleon off in the direction of the nearest town, Dirt. On the way he is picked up by Beans who is going to town for supplies for her ranch. Once there the chameleon enters the saloon where he makes himself out to be a bit of a hero a hero called Rango! The townsfolk immediately make him the sheriff; but there's a problem. The town is running out of water, there's very little left in the bank and the mayor is behaving strangely. When the remaining water is stolen from the bank it's up to Rango, and a posse, to go and bring it back. Also, can they solve the mystery of the disappearing water supply? Well, I'll leave it there or the Spoiler Police will be confiscating my glass of nice cool refreshing water by my side here (thirsty?).
As I've already said, it's beautifully animated and well worth seeing just for that alone! As for performances, well everyone was very good, particularly Johnny Depp as Rango/Lars, he surprised me with this performance; very reminiscent, at times, of his character, Raoul Duke, in 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'. Isla Fisher as Beans and Abigail Breslin as Pricilla both put in great performances, as did Ned Beatty as the Mayor. Honourable mentions must also go to; Alfred Molina as Roadkill, Bill Nighy as Rattlesnake Jake, Stephen Root as Doc/Merrimack/Mr. Snuggles, Harry Dean Stanton as Balthazar, Timothy Olyphant as Spirit of the West and Ray Winstone as Bad Bill.
I must say I did like the offbeat style of this film, very reminiscent of an old Western but with a modern twist. Lots of slapstick comedy moments and some great sight gags add to the fun. A nice score by Hans Zimmer is interspersed by a nice collection of songs, principally performed by 'Los Lobos'. Over all, I found this film very entertaining with some great animation; one I will definitely re-watch sometime Recommended.
My score: 7.9/10.
IMDb Score: 7.4/10 (based on 57,195 votes at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes 'Tomatometer' Score: 88/100 (based on 205 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes 'Audience' Score: 69/100 (based on 94,672 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).