By Megan Bianco
Not many movie viewers seem to be anticipating Disney’s new Jerry Bruckheimer-Gore Verbinski-Johnny Depp product The Lone Ranger as much as Hollywood might like. Why? Probably because unlike the trio’s last hit franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean, few young viewers have Tonto and John Reid on their radar. Every kid who has visited Disneyland since 1954 knows who the Pirates are, but kids seemed to stop paying attention to the Lone Ranger in 1981. And unfortunately with this version, no one under 55 will care either.
In 1869, John Reid (Armie Hammer) returns home to Texas after graduating law school to become a Ranger alongside his older brother Dan (James Badge Dale). When Dan is killed by notorious outlaw Butch Cavendish (William Fichtner), John is reluctantly paired with an eccentric Native American named Tonto (Johnny Depp) to avenge his brother’s death.
Ruth Wilson co-stars as John’s love interest and Helen Bonham Carter appears as a one-legged brothel owner. Gore Verbinski’s direction is memorable eye candy along with Wilson’s presence, and Hans Zimmer’s ear catching score. Depp’s portrayal of Tonto however, comes across stereotypical and indulgent, next to some pretty corny dialogue from everyone throughout the movie. On top of the film’s irrelevance, it’s also a half hour too long, which could have been spent in production on a western that’s more intriguing.
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