The Film
It probably sounded like a really good idea on paper: Have The Lone Ranger ride again, with some random "Handsome B. Wonderful" as the title character and Johnny Depp as his sidekick, Tonto. In the case of The Lone Ranger, Armie Hammer (The Social Network) plays the "lead," but it doesn't really matter now, does it? There's Johnny Depp!
Depp has become a bit of a chameleon when it comes to characters, so audiences were hopeful. Then, he spoke -- or grunted, as it may be. Depp may be a good actor, but he's certainly no magician. If he crapped out every Native American stereotype during the film's 149-minute runtime (and he tries), he still couldn't make this movie into the blockbuster hit it was projected to be.
You have to give him credit, though. Depp loves those odd film choices and does manage to inject a bit of humor into an otherwise dry film. However, his Tonto makes Ed Wood look like a pretty normal guy.
The real story is (or should be): Who was that masked man? You'll find out in The Lone Ranger, since it's all about the backstory. (Be prepared for a few spoilers ahead.) Lawyer John Reid (Hammer) dons the mask because he's presumed dead and needs to avenge the death of his brother Dan (James Badge Dale), a Texas Ranger. The villain doesn't just kill Dan, but cuts out his heart and eats it. How's that for some family fun?
Yeah, despite the themed LEGO sets, action figures and a Subway tie-in, there are some pretty gruesome deaths depicted off-screen. Butch Cavendish (the always fun William Fichtner) is the one doing most of those dirty deeds -- and plenty of others. So the "white spirit horse" picks John to bring this outlaw to justice. He just needs a little help. That's where Tonto comes in. In The Lone Ranger, Tonto isn't really a sidekick as much as he is a mentor. For the most part, John is just kind of a boob.
At least he is here, but this is an origin story -- one that's being told by Tonto himself. So you're really getting twice the backstory, which results in a pretty lengthy 149 minutes. (Who's idea was that?) It also takes up time with flashbacks of a shirtless, present-day Tonto telling the entire tale to some random little boy. Sure, there are some fun train sequences, horse chases, gunfire, and more train sequences. The ending is especially cool, but it takes so long to get there. All of that action and the all-star cast (which also includes Tom Wilkinson, Helena Bonham Carter and Barry Pepper) just aren't enough to justify the film's runtime or its $260 million budget. Did I mention there are choo-choos?
Audiences didn't seem ready for a reboot of The Lone Ranger. It isn't completely awful, but it just doesn't warrant the film's bloated budget or runtime. Ride at your own risk.
The Picture
Disney put a truckload (or train-load, in this case) of money into this film, and it certainly shows in the visuals. The 2.40:1 image is a real treat. The black levels are perfect and the colors depict the time period really well. The most impressive part of the image is definitely in the details, because there's just so much on display here. From the cracks in Tonto's face paint to Barry Pepper's finely coiffed facial hair to whatever is going on with William Fichtner's face; the detail is excellent. Also, the scenery gives us a lot to ogle. It almost has a 3D quality to it -- in a good way!
The Sound
The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track rounds out The Lone Ranger's demo-worthy AV package. The film's soundtrack is a real standout and not just because it injects "The William Tell Overture" into both the beginning and end of the film. That soundtrack just has a really bold presence throughout the film, which may help to keep your attention during the moments that drag. Also, dialogue is always crisp, but never gets drowned out by the gunshots, explosions and horses, all of which travel around the soundfield with great detail and directionality. It's a really immersive experience that may actually make this title worth picking up.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
Despite all of the bad press, I really wanted to love The Lone Ranger. It just wasn't helping me to like it -- like, at all. It's too uneven in tone and just too damn long. However, the Blu-ray may win the film a few fans, thanks to its stellar AV presentation. Saddle up and enjoy the eye (and ear) candy!
Product Details
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