The Lone Ranger

The Lone Ranger

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 6/28/13

Reviewed 7/3/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

2 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Even the talented Johnny Depp (Tonto) can't rescue this too long movie at 2 1/2 hours. Save this one for OnDemand! There were a few funny moments (all while Depp was on screen), awkwardly mixed in, during the first half of the story that shifted between very dark and very dry. Some rambunctious paced scenes were finally placed in the latter half, but they waited too long to get there and lost the audience in the meantime.

Armie Hammer is an unusual choice for John Reid, eventually known as the Lone Ranger. The heart of the story is how John, a staunchy rule-following lawyer evolves into the namesake. He sets out with a team of rangers led by his brother Dan (James Badge Dale) to hunt down the terrible murderer Butch Cavendish (William Fichner). John has to shift his goals abruptly to avenge his brother and seek justice. While crossing paths with Tonto, who also wants Butch, John agrees reluctantly to team up and their combative nature lends to some humorous moments. Trekking across the West on his horse Silver, with Tonto in tow, Dan quickly transforms from anti-gun passive lawyer to gunslinging, very capable ranger. They soon discover who is really being the efforts and that greed is the ultimate driving force. No surprise. Obtaining silver and laying railroad across America while trampling on the Indians are just a few of their hatched plans. The new pair, Tonto and Lone Ranger, throw many wrenches into the plans up the despicable bad guys' sleeves - right up until the finale. With the "Hi-yo Silver"...finally chiming away.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  J