Shanghai Noon Review

Shanghai Noon


Release Date: 10th August 2000 - Australia

Production Companies

Touchstone Pictures (presents)

Spyglass Entertainment (presents)
Roger Birnbaum Productions
Jackie Chan Films Limited (in association with)

Distribution
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Australia

Genre: Western/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 110 minutes

Budget: $55,000,000

Box Office Gross: $99,274,467 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

In the Forbidden City of

China, the bumbling

Chon Wang is a member

of the Imperial Guard.

After Princess Pei Pei

falls into the hands of her

captors, Wang sets out in

pursuit, heading for the

wild frontier of Nevada.

There, he crosses paths

with Roy O'Bannon, a

good-natured thief and

occasional cowboy.

Taking advantage of

O'Bannon's greed, Wang

persuades him to help

rescue the princess.

Together, the two

men form an unusual

partnership - unlike

anything the West has

ever seen.

Cast
Jackie Chan - Chon Wang
Owen Wilson - Roy O'Bannon
Lucy Liu - Princess Pei Pei
Brandon Merrill - Indian Wife

Xander Berkeley - Van Cleef

Roger Yaun - Lo Fong 

Rongguang Yu - Imperial Guard 

Cui Ya Hui - Imperial Guard

Eric Chen - Imperial Guard
Jason Connery - Andrews
Walton Goggins - Wallace
Adrien Dorval - Blue
Rafael Baez - Vasquez

Stacey Grant - Hooker in Distress
Kate Luyben - Fifi

Henry O - Royal Interpreter

Russell Badger - Sioux Chief

Simon Baker - Little Feather
Sam Simon - Chief's Sidekick

A.C. Peterson - Saddle Rock Sheriff

Rad Daly - Saddle Rock Deputy

Lee Jay Bamberry - Van Cleef Deputy

Stephen Strachan - Van Cleef Deputy

Tim Koetting - Van Cleef Deputy

Rick Ash - Jebediah

Valerie Planche - Jebediah's Wife

Tom Heaton - Saloon Bartender

James Baker - Saloon Gambler

Jim Shield - Saloon Gambler

Mike Mitchell - Saloon Gambler

Shayne Wyler - Saloon Gambler

Ben Salter - Saddle Rock Townsfolk

Terry King - Saddle Rock Townsfolk

Michelle Fansett - Saddle Rock Townsfolk

Joyce Doolittle - Carson City Townsfolk

Randy Birch - Carson City Townsfolk

Andrew Krivanek - Carson City Townsfolk

Christopher Hunt - Apothecary Shopkeeper

Jody Thompson - Margie

Eliza Norbury - Dream Sequence Hooker

Kendall Saunders - Dream Sequence Hooker

Tseng Chang - Pei Pei's Father

Sherman Chao - Emperor's Cousin

Regent Or - Emperor

Crew
Director - Tom Dey
Screenplay - Alfred Gough and Miles Millar
Associate Producer/First Assistant Director -

Bruce Moriarty
Executive Producer/Stunt Coordinator

(Uncredited)/Stunt Actor (Uncredited) -

Jackie Chan
Executive Producers - Willie Chan and Solon So
Producers - Roger Birnbaum,

Gary Barber and Jonathan Glickman
Co-Producers - Jules Daly and New Dowd
Casting Directors - Matthew Barry and

Nancy Green-Keyes
Production Designer - Peter J. Hampton

Supervising Art Director - Jeff Ginn

Set Decorator - Bryony Foster

Property Master - James H. Chow
Costume Designer - Joseph A. Porro
Director of Photography - Dan Mindel

Directors of Photography: Second Unit -

John Clothier and Joel Ransom 

Unit Production Manager - Kevin Reidy
Second Unit Director - E.J. Foerster

Head Wrangler - John Scott
Stunt Coordinator - Brent Woolsey
Stunt Choreographer - Chung Chi Li
Special Effects Supervisor - David Neil Trifunovich
Visual Effects Supervisor - Tim Landry

Editor - Richard Chew

Additional Editor - Billy Weber

Associate Editor - Kevin Nolting 

Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer/

Re-Recording Mixer - Tim Chau

Co-Supervising Sound Editor - Carmen Baker

Production Sound Mixer - David Lee 

Re-Recording Mixer - Andy D'Addario

Assistant Sound Re-Recording Mixers -

Tom E. Dahl and Dean A. Zupancic

Foley Artists - Alyson Dee Moore,

John Roesch and Alicia Stevenson
Music - Randy Edelman

Music Supervisor - Kathy Nelson

Review

One of the movies with an "East meets West" plot, SHANGHAI NOON blends comedy, Western elements, and martial-arts action. It's a great film that combines three genres, thanks to Jackie Chan's unique blend of action and humour. His previous work in Rush Hour has demonstrated his ability to do this and made quite an impression. Chan's talent for multitasking in this way is similar to the film set in modern times, whereas this one takes place in the Old West.

The hugely popular Chan and Owen Wilson were perfect for this lighthearted take on multiple genres. Jackie was a fantastic actor in the "fish out of water" role of Chon Wang (get it!). Owen Wilson brilliantly portrays the outlaw character Roy O'Bannon. They have incredible chemistry and make for a dynamic duo.

It's never too late to miss all the excitement of SHANGNAI NOON. The film stands out as a unique blend of martial arts/western comedy that never lets you get bored. It is surprisingly entertaining to all audiences.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Shane Review

Shane

Release Date: 2nd October 1953 - Australia

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures

Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Western

Rating: G

Runtime: 118 minutes

Budget: $3,100,000

Box Office Gross: $20,000,000 (USA)

Plot Summary

A mysterious gunslinger
named Shane enters a small

Wyoming town, hoping to

settle down as a farmhand

by taking a job on
homesteader Joe Starrett's
farm. All the while, Shane is
drawn into a conflict between
the townsfolk and ruthless
cattle baron Rufus Ryker.
His growing interest in
Starrett's wife, Marian, and
his affection for her son,
Joey, who idolises Shane,
lead Shane to realise he
must thwart Ryker's plan.

Cast

Alan Ladd - Shane

Jean Arthur - Marian Starrett

Van Heflin - Joe Starrett

Brandon deWilde - Joey
Starrett

Emile Meyer - Rufus Ryker

Jack Palance - Jack Wilson

Ben Johnson - Chris
Calloway

Edgar Buchanan - Fred
Lewis

Elisha Cook Jr. - Stonewall
Torrey

Douglas Spencer - Axel
'Swede' Shipstead

John Dierkes - Morgan Ryker

Ellen Corby - Mrs. Liz Torrey

Paul McVey - Sam Grafton

John Miller - Will Atkey -
Bartender

Edith Evanson - Mrs. Shipstead

Leonard Strong - Ernie Wright

Ray Spiker - Axel Johnson -
Homesteader

Janice Carroll - Susan Lewis

Martin Mason - Ed Howells

Helen Brown - Martha Lewis

Nancy Kulp - Mrs. Howells

Alana Ladd - Little Girl (Uncredited)

David Ladd - Little Boy (Uncredited)

Crew

Producer/Director - George Stevens

Based on the Novel - Jack Schaefer 

Screenplay - A.B. Guthrie Jr.

Additional Dialogue - Jack Sher

Associate Producer - Ivan Moffat

Art Directors - Hal Pereria and Walter H. Tyler

Set Decorator - Emile Kuri

Costumes - Edith Head

Makeup Supervisor - Wally Westmore

Director of Photography - Loyal Griggs

Production Assistant - George Stevens Jr. (Uncredited)

Special Photographic Effects - Gordon Jennings

Editors - William Hornbeck and Tom McAdoo

Sound Recordists - Gene Garvin

and Harry Lindgren

Music Score - Victor Young

Awards

1953 Academy Awards

Best Cinematography, Color - Loyal Griggs (Won)

-----------------------

Best Picture - George Stevens (Nominated)

Best Supporting Actor - Brandon deWilde (Nominated)

Best Supporting Actor - Jack Palance (Nominated)

Best Director - George Stevens (Nominated)

Best Screenplay - A.B. Guthrie Jr. (Nominated)

Review

One of the great Western classics of the 20th century, SHANE, was the byproduct of old-fashioned Hollywood. It was a commendable effort by the cast and crew, including the late George Stevens, its director. He has worked tirelessly to produce a film that showcases the American frontier. Most importantly, it influenced later movies, such as the non-Western flick Logan, and is referenced numerous times in pop culture. SHANE's ending is a moment of ambiguity, and it could rival every scene in other classic westerns, the likes of which don't come off with the same closing mood as SHANE did.

Alan Ladd gave a well-deserved performance as the strong titular protagonist. Jean Arthur was lovely in her last role as the gorgeous Marian. Jack Palance displays menace and arrogance in his star-making role as the notorious hitman Jack Wilson. Brandon DeWilde was a child star when he delivered an outstanding performance as the hero-worshipping young son who wishes to be a heroic gunslinger like Shane when he grows up. Although DeWilde had a dozen mostly minor film roles after SHANE, his career was cut short by his untimely death in a fatal car crash at age 30.

I have nothing more to say about the other qualities that made SHANE great. I consider this film a timeless classic, enjoyed by all ages. Even modern viewers unfamiliar with this feature will appreciate it, as their parents and grandparents saw the movie and fondly remember it from their youth.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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The Magnificent Seven (2016) Review

The Magnificent Seven

Release Date: 29th September 2016 - Australia

Production Companies

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (present)

Village Roadshow Pictures (in association with)

Columbia Pictures (present)

LStar Capital (in association with)
Pin High Productions
Escape Artists

Distribution

Sony Pictures Releasing Australia

Genre: Western

Rating: M

Runtime: 133 minutes

Budget: $90,000,000

Box Office Gross: $162,360,636 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

The sleepy town of Rose Creek is under the tight grip of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue, and the desperate townsfolk seek protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers, and hired guns, including Sam Chisolm, Josh Farraday, Goodnight Robicheaux, Jack Horne, Billy Rocks, Vasquez, and Red Harvest. These seven mercs fight for more than money as they prepare the city for the violent showdown they know is coming.

Cast

Denzel Washington - Sam Chisolm

Chris Pratt - Josh Farraday

Ethan Hawke - Goodnight Robicheaux

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo - Vasquez

Martin Sensmeier - Red Harvest

Vincent D'Onofrio - Jack Horne

Byung-Hun Lee - Billy Rocks

Peter Sarsgaard - Bartholomew Bogue
Haley Bennett - Emma Cullen
Matt Bomer - Matthew Cullen
Luke Grimes - Teddy Q
Jonathan Joss - Denali
Cam Gigandet - McCann

Emil Beheshti - Maxwell

Mark Arsworth - Preacher

Sean Bridgers - Fanning
Billy Slaughter - Josiah

Dodge Prince - Anthony

Matthew Poser - Hank Stoner

Carrie Lazar - Leni Frankel

Jody Mullins - Caleb Frankel

Clint James - Fenton

Dane Rhodes - Sheriff Harp

Ritchie Montgomery - Gavin David

William Lee Scott - Moody

David Kallaway - Turner/Blacksmith

Griff Furst - Phillips

Alix Angelis - Clara Winthrop

Sean Boyd - Topper

Rob Mello - Mine Paymaster

Walker Babington - Dicky

Thomas Blake Jr. - Earl

Ryan Brown - Ken Pigeon

Derek Lacasa - Len Pigeon

John Wylie - Station Master

Chad Randall - Bartender/Powder Dan

Kevin Wayne - Monday Durant

Wally Welch - Sheriff

Ed Lowry - Stablemaster

David Manzanares - Refreee/Eddy

Dylan Kenin - Cowboy

Kevin Wiggins - Another Cowboy

Jackson Beals - One-Eyed Lucas

Heath Lemme - Heath

Crew

Executive Producer/Director - Antoine Fuqua
Based on a Screenplay - Akira Kurosawa,

Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni
Screenplay - Richard Wenk and Nic Pizzolatto
Executive Producers - Bruce Berman,

Walter Mirisch and Ben Waisbren
Producers - Roger Birnbaum and Todd Black

Co-Producer - Kat Zamick

Casting Directors - Jo Edna Boldin,

Elizabeth Coulon, Lindsay Graham

and Mary Viernieu
Production Designer - Derek R. Hill

Art Director - Leslie McDonald

Set Decorators - Bradford Johnson

and Merissa Lombardo
Costume Designer - Sharen Davis

Armorer/Gun Trainer - Thell Reed

Makeup Department Head - Liz Bernstrom

Director of Photography - Mauro Fiore

Unit Production Managers - Udi Nedivi,

Wendy Williams and David Valdes

Unit Production Manager: New Mexico Unit -

Alton Walpole

First Assistant Director - Joe Camp III

First Assistant Director: Second Unit -

Julian Wall

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -

Jeff Dashnaw

Stunt Coordinator - Chad Dashnaw
Special Effects Supervisor - Yves De Bono

Editor - John Refoua

Supervising Sound Editors - Mandell Winter

and David Esparza

Re-Recording Mixers - Steve Pederson

and Daniel J. Leahy

Production Sound Mixer - Ed Novick

Music - James Horner and Simon Franglen

Writer: Theme from "The Magnificent Seven" -

Elmer Bernstein

Review

The original 1960 movie The Magnificent Seven was one of the classics I reviewed when I started this blog. The film was a remake of Akira Kurosawa's classic Japanese masterpiece, Seven Samurai. However, the remake of the old 1960s classic won't outdo the slickness of John Sturges' original, bold, unforgettable shootout. Director Antoine Fuqua is new to the genre and is trying to take a different approach with THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN than changing it to one of these soulless remakes nobody wants. It is not solid but rather a convoluted modern Western, which might seem fun, albeit occasionally cheesy.

The 2016 version of THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN featured a diverse cast of notable stars, such as Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, etc. The cast differs from that portrayed in the original film, which starred Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, and others.

It's not an unforgettable film, but it generally pleases audiences with some of its chemistry and action. I highly recommend it to those who are unfamiliar with the original movie.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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The Magnificent Seven (1960) Review

The Magnificent Seven


Release Date: 23rd October 1960 - USA


Production Companies
The Mirisch Company (presents)
Alpha Productions


Genre: Western

Rating: PG

Runtime: 128 minutes


Budget: $2,000,000

Box Office Gross: $9,75,000 (rentals)


Plot Summary
Each year, the evil bandit Calvera and his bloodthirsty bandits have terrorised a small Mexican village, leaving the town's farmers on the brink of poverty. With no guns, no money, and not so much of a violent instinct in their bodies, the leaders head out to the American border to purchase firearms. Instead, they come across a veteran gunslinger

named Chris Adams, who

suggests they hire more

gunslingers to defend

them. He rounds up six

of them, each for a

different reason. Now,

the helpless villagers have not only one but seven hired guns ready for action.

Together, these professional gunmen devise a plan to secure the town by installing defences and providing the villagers with basic training to resist Calvera's attack, knowing they're in for a violent showdown.

Cast
Yul Brynner - Chris Larabee Adams
Eli Wallach - Calvera

Steve McQueen - Vin Tanner
Horst Buchholz - Chico
Charles Bronson - Bernardo O'Reilly
Robert Vaughn - Lee
James Coburn - Britt
Brad Dexter - Harry Luck
Vladimir Sokoloff - The Old Man
Jorge Martínez de Hoyos - Hilario
Rosenda Monteros - Petra
Rico Alaniz - Sotero
Pepe Hern - Tomas
John A. Alonzo - Miguel
Robert J. Wilke - Wallace
Val Avery - Henry
Whit Bissell - Chamlee
Bing Russell - Robert

Valentin de Vargas - Santos - Calvera Henchman (Uncredited)

Crew
Producer/Director - John Sturges
Screenplay - William Roberts,

Walter Bernstein (Uncredited)

and Walter Newman (Uncredited)

Based on a Screenplay "Shichinin no samurai" -

Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto

and Hideo Oguni (Uncredited)
Associate Producer - Lou Morheim
Executive Producer - Walter Mirisch
Art Director - Edward Fitzgerald

Set Decorator - Rafael Suárez
Director of Photography - Charles Lang

Assistant Directors - Jaime Contreras,

Robert E. Reylea, Emilo Fernández (Uncredited)

and Jerome M. Siegel (Uncredited)

Special Effects - Milt Rice
Film Editor - Ferris Webster

Sound Effects Editor - Del Harris

Sound - Rafael Ruiz Esparza and

Jack Solomon
Music - Elmer Bernstein


Awards

1961 Academy Awards
Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy

Picture - Elmer Bernstein (Nominated)


Review
An unforgettable Western classic from director John Sturges, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN is known for its terrific and inspiring story. It is primarily an American remake of Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai with a fine display of gun-slinging action. I praise Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen for their performances as two of these seven marvellous characters that defined the old Western genre. Next in this large ensemble of talented performances are Charles Bronson, Eli Wallach, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, and Horst Buchholz. All of them did a superb job in the film. This film has helped inspire similar movies, such as Pixar's A Bug's Life. Every decade or so, a director produces a timeless classic with an infinite shelf life. It's one of those movies that will live on for generations.

Due to its long runtime, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN is slow. It's a great classic. A passionate moviegoer would agree, preferring to watch this western at home rather than pay top dollar on the big screen.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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Cowboys & Aliens Review

Cowboys & Aliens

Release Date: 18th August 2011 - Australia

Production Companies
Universal Pictures (presents)
DreamWorks SKG (presents)
Reliance Entertainment (presents)
Relativity Media (in association

with)
Imagine Entertainment
K/O Paper Products
Fairview Entertainment
Platinum Studios

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia


Genre: Sci-Fi/Western

Rating: M

Runtime: 118 minutes


Budget: $163,000,000

Box Office Gross: $174,822,325 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
In the Old West, a stranger named Jake Lonergan wakes up without memory; his only clue is a mysterious shackle on his wrist. He wanders into a town called Absolution, whose inhabitants live in fear. His days get more interesting when beings from another world attack this desert city. These creatures have begun abducting some townsfolk, and now these residents turn to the person they once rejected, as he is their only hope for salvation.

Jake starts to remember

who he is and how he

got here. He discovers

more about his secret,

which he uses to fend

off these marauders

from outer space. He's

assembled a posse of

townsfolk and former

enemies, including a

shifty traveller, Ella,

the ruthless Colonel

Dolarhyde and his boys,

outlaws, and natives.

They unite against an

uncommon foe, leading

to an epic showdown

for survival.

Cast
Daniel Craig - Jake Lonergan
Harrison Ford - Colonel
Woodrow Dolarhyde
Olivia Wilde - Ella Swenson
Sam Rockwell - Doc
Paul Dano - Percy Dolarhyde
Clancy Brown - Meacham
Keith Carradine - Sheriff John Taggart
Noah Ringer - Emmett Taggart
Adam Beach - Nat Colorado
Abigail Spencer - Alice
Ana de la Reguera - Maria
Walton Goggins - Hunt
Julio Cedillo - Bronc
David O'Hara - Pat Dolan
Raoul Trujillo - Black Knife
Toby Huss - Roy Murphy
Brendan Wayne - Charlie Lyle

Crew
Executive Producer/Director - Jon Favreau
Based on the Platinum

Studios Comic Book/Producer - Scott Mitchell Rosenberg
Screen Story - Steve Oedekerk
Screen Story/Screenplay - Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby
Screenplay/Producers - Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof

Executive Producers - Steven Spielberg, Bobby Cohen, Randy Greenberg and Ryan Kavanaugh

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Denis L. Stewart

Producers - Johnny Dodge,

Brian Grazer and Ron Howard
Co-Producers - Daniel Forcey,

Karen Gilchrist and Chris Wade

Co-Producer/First Assistant Director -

K.C. Hodenfield
Casting Director - Sarah Finn

Historical Consultant - Paul Hatton
Production Designer - Scott Chambliss

Concept Artists - James Clyne,

Phil Saunders and Chris Ross

Illustrators - Ryan Meindering,

Andrea Dopaso and Rick Bueon
Supervising Art Director - Christopher Burian-Mohr
Art Directors - Daniel T. Dorrance
and Lauren E. Polizzi
Lead Alien Character Designers: Legacy Effects -
Ian Joyner and Scott Patton

Construction Coordinator - Chris Snyder

Set Decorator - Karen Manthey

Property Master - Russell Bobbitt
Costume Designer - Mary Zophres

Makeup Department Head - Jane Galli

Director of Photography - Matthew Libatique

Director of Photography: Second Unit - Paul Hughen

Aerial Director of Photography - David B. Nowell

Unit Production Manager - Basil Grillo

Second Assistant Director - Chris Castaldi
Second Unit Director/Visual Effects Supervisor:

ILM - Roger Guyett
Second Unit Director - Terry Leonard
Stunt Coordinator - Thomas Robinson Harper

Second Unit Stunt Coordinator - Freddie Hice
Special Effects Supervisor - Daniel Sudick

Project Supervisor/Puppeteer: Legacy Effects -
Shane Mahan

Project Supervisor: Legacy Effects -

Lindsay MacGowan

Creative Coordinator: Legacy Effects - Christopher Swift

Ships & Torture Tables Effects Department

Head: Legacy Effects - David Merritt

Legacy Effects Coordinators - John Rosengrant

and Alan Scott

Co-Visual Effects Supervisor: ILM -
Eddie Pasquarello

Visual Effects Producer - Kimberly Nelson LoCascio

Visual Effects Producers: ILM - Peter Nicolai

and Stephanie Hornish

Visual Effects Executive Producer: ILM -

Jill Brooks

Digital Production Supervisor - Michael Di Como
Visual Effects Art Director - Christian Alzmann

Creature Supervisor - Karin Cooper
Animation Supervisor: ILM - Marc Chu
CG Supervisors: ILM - Robert Weaver
and Daniel Pearson

CG Sequence Supervisors: ILM - Chase Cooper,

Leandro Estebecorena, Tom Fejes, Jeff Grebe,

Gerald Gutschmidt, Erich Ippen,

Francois Lambert, Tory Mercer, Mark Nettleton,

Gregory Salter, Stefano Trivelli and Lee Uren

Digital Model Supervisors: ILM - Paul Giacoppo

and Bruce Holcomb

Roto and Paint Supervisor: ILM - Beth D'Amato

Viewpaint Supervisors: ILM - Martin Murphy

and Ron Woodall

Digital Matte Supervisor: ILM - Barry Williams

Pre-Visualisation/Post-Visualisation Supervisor:

Halon - Daniel D. Gregoire
Film Editors - Dan Lebental and Jim May

Supervising Sound Editor - Frank E. Eulner

Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer -
Christopher Boyes
Sound Designer - David Farmer

Production Sound Mixer - Mark Ulano

Sound Effects Editors - J.R. Grubbs and

Scott Guitteau

Re-Recording Mixer - Lora Hirschberg

Foley Artists - Jana Vance and Dennie Thorpe

Foley Mixer - Frank Rinella
Music - Harry Gregson-Williams

Review
COWBOYS & ALIENS was a semi-decent action-packed movie that was slightly scary, blending science fiction and the Western genre with an unusual twist. It's a non-stop action thrill ride, with many thanks to Jon Favreau for his terrific direction. I liked that Favreau refused to convert this feature into 3D, opting instead for 2D. The film boasts incredible acting from Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Olivia Wilde. These two famed actors, Ford and Craig, have paired up in a duet on a fascinating story about cowboys defending their world from a race of evil aliens.

This genre-blending feature leaves fans excited. It suits people who have seen Westerns but are passionate about sci-fi films. So, which side are you on now?

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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Rango Review

Rango

Release Date: 10th March 2011 – Australia


Production Companies 
Industrial Light & Magic

Blind Wink

GK Films

Nickelodeon Movies

Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia


Genre: Animation/Family/

Western

Rating: PG

Runtime: 107 minutes

Budget: $135,000,000

Box Office Gross: $245,724,603 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A lonesome chameleon named Rango has no clue who he is and searches the desert for answers. He assumes the role of a

lawman in a town facing

a water crisis. However,

he realises he is way

over his head when he

discovers a conspiracy

that could endanger it. Can Rango unravel this scheme, learn the meaning of friendship, and bring back the town's missing water?

Cast
Johnny Depp – Rango/Lars
Isla Fisher – Beans
Abigail Breslin – Priscilla

Ned Beatty – Mayor
Alfred Molina – Roadkill
Bill Nighy – Rattlesnake Jake
Harry Dean Stanton – Balthazar
Ray Winstone – Bad Bill
Timothy Olyphant – Spirit of the West
Stephen Root – Doc/

Merrimack/Mr. Snuggles

Claudia Black – Angelique
Ian Abercrombie – Ambrose
Gil Birmingham – Wounded Bird
James Ward Byrkit – Waffles/

Gordy/Papa Joad/Cousin Murt/Curlie/

Knife Attacker/Rodent Kid

Blake Clark – Buford
Lew Temple – Furgus
Alex Manugian – Spoons
Joe Nunez – Rockeye
John Cothran Jr. – Elgin

Patrika Darbo – Delilah/Maybelle

George DelHoyo – Señor Flan –

Mariachi Accordion

Maile Flanagan – Lucky

Charles Fleischer – Elbows

Beth Grant – Bonnie

Ryan Grant – Jedidiah

Vincent Kartheiser – Ezekiel/

Lasso Rodent

Hemky Madera – Chorizo

Alex Manugian – Spoons

Mark 'Crash' McCreery – Parsons

Joe Nunez – Rock-Eye

Christopher Lee Parson – Hazel Moats/

Kinski/Stump/Clinker/Lenny/

Boseefus/Dirt Kid

Lew Temple – Furgus/Hitch

Alanna Ubach – Boo/Cletus/Fresca/

Miss Daisy

Gore Verbinski – Sergeant Turley/

Crevice/Slim/Lupe – Mariachi Violin

Kym Whitley – Melonee

Keith Campbell – Sod Buster

Crew
Story/Producer/Director – Gore Verbinski
Story/Screenplay – John Logan
Story/Storyboard Artist/Character Designer –

James Ward Byrkit

Executive Producer – Tim Headington

Consulting Producers – Mark Bakshi
and Nils Peyron
Producers – Graham King and John B. Carls

Co-Producers – Shari Henson and Adam Cramer

Co-Producer/Character Designer –

David Shannon

Casting Director – Denise Chaiman

Production Designer/Character Designer/

Visual Effects – Mark 'Crash' McCreery

Conceptual Artists – James Carson

and Jim Martin

Concept Artists – Christian Alzmann,

Devon Cutler, John Giang and

Romerick Jeanne
Supervising Art Director – John Bell

Art Director – Aaron McBride
Character Designers – David Shannon

and Eugene Yelchin

Set Decorator: Emotion Capture Unit –

Rosemary Brundenberg

Property Master: Emotion Capture Unit –

Kris Peck

Props: Emotion Capture Unit – Harry Lu

Cinematography Consultant – Roger Deakins

Camera Operator: Emotion Capture Unit –

Martin Schaer

Unit Production Manager/First Assistant

Director: Emotion Capture Unit – Adam Somner

Stunt Coordinator - Keith Campbell

Visual Effects Supervisors – Tim Alexander
and John Knoll
Animation Director – Hal T. Hickel

Associate Animation Supervisor – Kevin Martel

Digital Production Supervisor – Michael Bauer

CG Supervisors – Kevin Sprout,

Raul Essig, Leandro Estebecorena and

Pat Conran

CG Supervisors: ILM – Thomas Fejes,

Gerald Gutschmidt, Polly Ing, David Meny,

Patrick T. Myers and Nigel Sumner

Character CG Supervisor: ILM – Michael Koperwas

Character & Simulations Supervisor – James Tooley

Character Modeling Supervisor – Geoff Campbell

Hard Surface Model Supervisor – Russell Paul

Texture Supervisor – Steve Walton

Environment Supervisor – Andrew Proctor

Compositing Leads: ILM – Tami Carter,

Peter Chesloff, David Gottlieb,

Robert Hoffmeister, Jen Howard,

Dorne Huebler, Francois Lambert, Tory Mercer,

Jerry Sells, Chad Taylor, Todd Vaziri,

Jeff Wozniak and Scott Younkin

Lighting Sequence Supervisors: ILM –

Matthieu Boucher, Steve Braggs,

Amelia Chenoweth, Jay Cooper,

Christian Foucher, Jeff Hatchel, Tom Martinek,

Akira Orikasa and John Walker

Film Editor – Craig Wood

Additional Editors – Tom Barrett and

Wyatt Jones
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor –

Peter Miller

Supervising Sound Editor – Addison Teague

Supervising Dialogue Editor – Michael Silvers

Additional ADR Editor – Richard Hymns

Sound Mixer: Emotion Capture Unit – Lee Orloff

Re-Recording Mixers – Christopher Boyes

and Paul Massey

Foley Artists – Dennie Thorpe and Jana Vance
Music – Hans Zimmer

Foley Mixer – Frank Rinella

Music Arrangers – Lorne Balfe,
Tom Gire, Michael A. Levine,

Dominic Lewis, Atli Ōrvarsson, Adam Peters,

John Sponsler and Geoff Zanelli
Music Arranger/Musician: Guitar –

Heitor Pereria

Music Consultant – Bob Badami

Music Recordist and Mixer – Alan Meyerson


Awards

2012 Academy Awards
Best Animated Feature – Gore Verbinski (Won)


Review

RANGO is an animated Blazing Saddles-type comedy that, in a way, has never been conceived before. The visual effects house ILM must have given Pixar, Blue Sky, Disney, and DreamWorks a run for their money in producing this rootin'-tootin' animated feature. Though RANGO's plot is nothing new, given that it's a parody/homage to classic westerns mixed with a fish-out-of-water concept, it's good that they've had to put a fresh spin on it. Despite how dark this film could get, it's not exactly a family feature. Gore Verbinski has never tackled an animated movie like this. He has ventured into various genres, including horror, comedy, and adventure, as exemplified in The Ring and the first three Pirates of the Caribbean instalments.

The animation is realistic and comparable to that of Disney, Pixar, and other studios. I praise Johnny Depp for his voice performance as Rango because he is wonderfully hilarious and stands out among a stellar cast. Bill Nighy is perfect as Rattlesnake Jake. Isla Fisher knows how to pull off a Southern accent when cast as Beans. Everyone else, including Ned Beatty, was also terrific in their roles. The action scenes are well done and perfectly timed. Hans Zimmer has again triumphed with a score that never fails to amaze.

RANGO is a good movie with intriguing animation and sharp humour. I was pleasantly surprised that RANGO won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. It was a particular highlight for me this year. If you feel like seeing this film, you won't regret it.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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