The Lone Ranger (2013) Review

2.5/5

This film is confused. Is it a Western? An action-adventure? A comedy? A historical rewrite? I honestly don't think it could pick, and therefore tried to be all four to no avail. One scene is action-packed summer blockbuster entertainment, the next is awkward (and sometimes effective) comedy, and the next feels like a family based drama. It doesn't gel. And at 2 hours and 29 minutes, it is too long. Too long. There is just no other way to say it. It is TOO LONG. This is not to say that the film didn't have its positives.
Johnny Depp, right in his Jack Sparrow wheelhouse, is a great Tonto. He is an actor adept at weaving into and out of expressional comedy and expressional drama. His one liners stick, and his sight gags work. Working with his Pirates of the Caribbean producer and director, he seems to fit right into that niche. Nothing totally new, but very entertaining. Armie Hammer, talented as an actor, seems out of his element. I don't think it was his fault, as the character had a lot of tonal imbalances.
The direction is wonderful during the action scenes, but the dialogue scenes drag. The writing during the action scenes are great because they flow wonderfully, but the dialogue scenes drag. A few whip-smart comedy bits save face. The score is Hans Zimmer at his Hans Zimmerest, which is to say it is pretty good but no Inception or The Dark Knight. The visual effects are impressive, and the most surprising thing about the film for me was how brutal the violence was. For a PG-13, they push the limit here a few times, and I think that when it does happen it adds a welcome pick-me-up to the often grey cinematography. Grey, but impressive, as many shots are framed beautifully and show off the beautiful Western landscape.
This is a frustrating film because it has a lot of good elements, but it doesn't really mesh. I do believe that, should they make a second one, it will be better because the bland backstory will be out of the way. This one suffers from a lack of super-glue and an over-abundance of grand ideas. Not every idea has to be included, and if that principle was followed, it would have made for a much tighter and ravishing film.