#REVIEW: “THE LONE RANGER”

After multiple false starts, the release of  The Lone Ranger finally is before us.  Re-teaming Director Gore Verbinski with Johnny Depp a fifth time after  record-breaking success with The Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise and Rango, what we get here is a fresh take on the iconic Western Series, tweaked to appeal to Moviegoers’ contemporary comedic sensibilities, at once amplifying the action several decibels.

The Film centers on American Spirit Warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) who retells the past to a young Boy named Will (Mason Cook).  Tonto remembers his teaming  with firm Man of the Law, John Reid (Armie Hammer) as they together battled against Corruption in the state of Texas at the hands of volatile Butch Cavendish (William Fichtner) and powerful Latham Cole (Tom Wilkinson).  In order for them to be able to accomplish this feat, first the Duo of polar opposites must learn to strike a balance as Tonto embodies justice of an eye-for-an-eye variety, while John  is concerned with a modern sense of justice and its process.  After the latter’s Brother Dan (James Badge Dale), a highly-regarded Ranger, is killed, the stakes are upped on a personal level for him.   John must bring to safety the Woman he still loves in Rebecca (Ruth Wilson), who also happens to be Dan‘s Wife, and also her Son Danny (Bryant Price) after they are captured at the hands of the Enemy.  On an even deeper level, John is forced to rise to the task of fulfilling his own Destiny of becoming The Lone Ranger, battling with his own personal weaknesses after living in the shadow of his Brother most of his life.

Clocking-in at almost two-and-a-half hours, perhaps the engaging Tale of The Lone Ranger could have been more concise, bordering on plodding at points. None however can fault the Screenplay by Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio as much attention is paid to detail, explaining fascinating Mythology to a new generation of Fans.  An integral driver  in the Story is the romance between Rebecca and John and one cannot help but feel as though more could have been done to connect us to this on an emotional level as much of their Backstory is implied off-screen.  On the forefront though is a Story about the unlikeliest of Friendships in the name of Justice and Verbinski succeeds in crafting a limber, edge-of-your-seat Train Ride packed with Humour.

Depp once again commits fully and flawlessly as Tonto, while Hammer proves his worth among this new generation of Hollywood’s Leading Men, absolutely likable with his Old School Charm and vulnerability in the Titular Role. Fichtner at long last gets a real chance to shine well-cast as the ever-menacing Villain and certainly more will be seen of Wilson, a fresh face with a captivating grace, who next will be seen in Disney‘s Saving Mr. Banks this upcoming Oscars Season.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada releases The Lone Ranger on Wednesday, July 3, 2013.