This full-blooded and action-packed tale of the legendary famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes from the team behind the successful Pirates of the Caribbean.
Nothing beats a great story told extremely well, and what The Lone Ranger succeeds in doing with utmost passion and heartfelt sincerity, is allowing us to embrace the child within; we all want to escape into the ultimate adventure that surpasses the boundaries of our imagination.
The Lone Ranger delivers what it promises on all levels, and much more, with visionary producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Oscar-winning director Gore Verbinski taking adventure to a spectacular new level, magnificently bringing the well crafted screenplay by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio (who wrote all four Pirates of the Caribbean films) and Justin Haythe (Revolutionary Road) to life.
Recounting the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice with the assistance of Native American warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp), it is the highly original telling of the story that makes The Lone Ranger a unique experience, taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.
Make sure to remain seated until the end of the title sequence as the surprising resolution reveals itself poignantly (isn't it surprising how audiences race out of cinema as soon as the titles appear, totally missing out on such vital moments as this final epilogue).
As with Man Of Steel, which is also loaded with a massive history and delivers an original story, The Lone Ranger equally breathes a unique and totally satisfying new life into the perpetual popularity of the iconic American characters of Reid and Tonto that has gripped the imagination of children and adults for 80 years through radio, television, theatre screens, TV animation, comic strips, books, graphic novels, and video games.
Following in the tradition of the Detroit radio series that was aired from 1933 for 21 year, the television series that ran for eight years from 1957, and the two big screen features (released in 1956 and 1958), it also gave new life to Gioachino Rossini's William Tell Overture as the program's theme music.
Wait until you experience the thrill of Hanz Zimmer's music score that makes the most of the William Tell overture and most definitely ranks Zimmer as one of the most prominent composers of film scores of our time (which includes scores for Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean and Man of Steel). Zimmer's score powerfully underscores one of the most thrilling (and daring) action scenes ever captured on film, featuring a daredevil chase sequence involving two real 19th century steam trains.
The realism of the action scenes is a major bonus for adrenaline junkies; instead of resorting to computer-generated effects, miniatures or extant period trains, the filmmakers decided to build them, just as they built several real-life ships for Pirates of the Caribbean.
Besides its awesome amazing action sequences, The Lone Ranger is ultimately about its endearing characters. Yes, there are major visual effects that take realism to an absolute extreme and you will hold your breath during the climactic action sequence and definitely feel your heart skip a beat of two.
The supersational experience allows us to be fully immersed in the world and characters of The Lone Ranger.
Armie Hammer is sensational in his dual role as Reid and the iconic hero; brilliantly balancing bold bravado with foolish ineptness - Hammer made an impact with his double role as the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network and also starred in J.Edgar.
Equally mesmerising is Johnny Depp, who breathes fire into Tonto, transforming a 'sidekick' into a warrior and a man of integrity and dignity. It is astounding how Depp manages to break away from his Jack Sparrow incarnation and become Tonto, an equally memorable character that you will remember long after watching the film.
The electric chemistry between Hammer and Depp is marvelous, allowing the duo to make its mark as one of the most memorable buddies in the history of filmmaking.
It is said that dog is man's best friend, but in Westerns a man is nothing without his horse.
It follows in the tradition of horses that were the lifeblood of classic western characters: there were John Mix and Tony, Roy Roger's and Trigger, Dales Evans and Buttermilk, Hopoalong Cassidy and Topper, and Gene Autry's Champion.
In The Lone Ranger, Reid's Silver is unlike anything you have ever seen before with his own personality, humour, majesty, eccentric and heroism, who appears on treetops, the roof of a burning barn, and races on top and through the inside of a speeding train.
In contrast to Silver, Tonto's mount Scout is more meek and mild, although equally adventurous.
If you are looking for first-rate escapism that will take you on a nostalgic journey into an adventure that has captured the imagination of filmgoers for more than 80 years, saddle up and enjoy the total joy of The Lone Ranger.
It's not just any western or action film, but a true classic gloriously re-imagined and most definitely one of the top films of the year.
And when Silver rears up with the Lone Ranger on his back, don't be surprised if you shout 'Hi-yo Silver" with Hammer.
It is films like The Lone Ranger that truly celebrates what film is all about, magnifying life 10 times and showing us that anything is possible if only we allow ourselves to wholeheartedly experience impossible imaginings.
Rating 5/5
With Silver featuring so prominently in The Lone Ranger, it was incumbent upon the production to find not only the best animal for the role, but also the best person to train it. In that respect, the path was absolutely clear, and it led straight to South African-born Bobby Lovgren, acknowledged as the finest in the world at his very specialised profession.
Lovgren, who grew up in an equestrian family, was a stable manager and rider in South Africa before moving to Los Angeles and learning the ropes under legendary movie horse trainers. He is now perhaps best known as the head trainer on Steven Spielberg's War Horse, but previously he devoted his skills to the likes of Seabiscuit and The Mask of Zorro. The key to his success is that Lovgren loves and understands horses, and that feeling seems to be mutual.
"We have to find out what horses understand," says Lovgren. "Are we communicating with them properly? And then making sure they're comfortable and enjoying it? We always try to make it easy for them, and that's why I do short lessons. I'll do a lot of them in the day, but never so that it's strenuous for them. That way they pay more attention, just like a little kid."
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