The Lone Ranger

THE LONE RANGER (12)

D: Gore Verbinski

Disney (Jerry Bruckheimer & Gore Verbinski)

US 2013

149 mins

Adventure/Western

W: Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio [based on the TV series created by Fran Striker & George W. Trendle]

DP: Bojan Bozelli

Ed: James Haygood & Craig Wood

Mus: Hans Zimmer

PD: Jess Gonchor

Cos: Penny Rose

Johnny Depp (Tonto), Armie Hammer (John Reid / The Lone Ranger), Tom Wilkinson (Latham Cole), William Fichtner (Butch Cavendish), Barry Pepper (Capt. Jay Fuller), Helena Bonham-Carter (Red Harrington)

Perhaps they really should've called this film Tonto, because it seems that he is the main hero and the Lone Ranger is the sidekick, and that's the main joke that the movie runs with. Still, if the producers wanted to miscast Johnny Depp at great expense, they may as well get their money's worth.

The big-budget update of the classic 1960's TV show suffers greatly from miscast actors, a rather ramshackle screenplay featuring some tacky one-liners, a meandering storyline and it's doesn't really do justice to the legendary character, but it's nowhere near as terrible as the critics made out and certainly didn't deserve to be listed as one of the worst films of the year at the Golden Raspberry Awards.

Despite being miscast, Johnny Depp doesn't give a terrible performance as Tonto, it's just that his accent ranges from British to god-knows-what, but since the film is part-comedy, I'll let this slide, the main problem is the weak story, but it's still quite clear to see that the writers were going for an origin story and a sequel was to be intended (which won't happen since this film was considered a box office flop).

It can't be denied that the film is an over-elaborate exercise in Hollywood profligacy, but you have to give credit where it's due, the visual effects and makeup are impeccable and some of the set pieces are rather thrilling, especially the finale with a dual steam train chase.

Yes, it's a rather naff film, but it's not totally awful and kids too young to remember the original character may enjoy it much more than an older audience.

4/10