Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

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‘Ranger’ action-packed, dumb

“The Lone Ranger” did not gallop into box office success, but moviegoers should still consider this western thriller when looking for some classic entertainment. With a straightforward plot and adrenaline-pumping fight scenes, “The Lone Ranger” keeps the audience staring at the screen and rooting for the unlikely dynamic duo. Audience members will leave amused, but this movie is by no means innovative and does not challenge its viewers.

The movie is narrated by Tonto, played by Johnny Depp (“Dark Shadows”), who comes to life in a museum in California to tell his story to a boy wearing a mask reminiscent of the original Lone Ranger’s. This framing of the story is a strange way to open up the movie and, overall, not necessary. A more action-packed beginning might have roped the audience in more and would have been more relevant to the Wild West setting of the movie. Also, the storyline moves along by itself, and it did not need to be broken up by a little boy asking, “What happened next?”

Although at two and a half hours the movie is quite long, the plot and action move quickly, and the length is not noticeable. Unless audience members have a reason to be in a hurry, they will not find themselves looking at their watch.

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The strongest aspect of this movie is the constantly moving plotline. Movie directors can’t go wrong with a good fight scene, and this movie has many. Two of these fight scenes are set on a train, but they were different enough to not be repetitive. The railroad is also fitting with the story because of its prevalence in the 1800s, when the movie is set.

The movie only really gives a deep backstory to the two main characters. Tonto is a curious character and fun to figure out. He rarely makes sense, and as one of two Native Americans with a speaking part in the entire film, he did not act as a very good representation of Native Americans as a whole. Director Gore Verbinski (“Rango”) does a good job in developing Tonto’s character throughout the entire movie. The audience eventually learns why Tonto is the way he is, and it provides a good plot twist that contrasts with the themes of corruption that run throughout the film.

Played by Armie Hammer (“Mirror Mirror”), John Reid, who calls himself the Lone Ranger, is barely developed throughout the course of the movie. He has a realization that sometimes a cowboy needs to take the law into his own hands to set things right, which, as a law school graduate, is a big deal for him. However, this realization feels inevitable, and it’s frustrating how long it takes him to come to this conclusion.

A large part of the plotline follows a chain of corruption, which becomes confusing at times. The motives of some characters are passed over too quickly, leaving the audience unclear about whose side some minor characters are on. However, the overall good versus evil theme is always clear. When in doubt, Tonto and John are clearly working for the greater good, although they do not always trust the right people.

In true Wild West fashion, the fight scenes are numerous and are bound to keep the audience engaged. However, parts of these fights are ridiculous and not believable to the point where they distract from the flow of the story. One example of this is the horse that accompanies the main characters having the uncanny ability to get the boys out of dangerous situations. 

Overall, “The Lone Ranger” might not be the best film out this summer, but it is entertaining. The plot line is not one the audience has to read into deeply, and the Wild West setting allows for plenty of action-packed scenes.

3 out of 5 stars

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