The Lone Ranger - Not as bad as the critics said, but flawed nonetheless

`The Lone Ranger' isn't about the Lone Ranger. It's the first version of the popular western to give the Lone Ranger's sidekick, Tonto, top-billing. But then he's played by Johnny Depp, so it's hardly surprising. And that's where the first anomaly begins...

If you heard the press coverage of the film on its cinematic release, you could be forgiven for thinking it's the worst film ever made. It isn't. But that's not to say it's a classic either. The critics were overly harsh, dwelling on budget problems rather than storyline issues. However, although what's there is good, it's also a bit odd.

As I mentioned, the `sidekick' is basically given more screen time than the hero. Plus the two of them didn't seem to have that much of a rapport throughout the film. Johnny Depp sort of plays Jack Sparrow, but in a clichéd Red Indian accent while he's on screen. If you asked me to sum up the film in one word, I'd say `long.' It felt like it was way too long for its own good. At least half an hour could have been trimmed out of it. The special effects are good where the sets are concerned, but, despite its hefty budget, some of the `horse scenes' and bluescreen work looked decidedly ropey.

If anyone deserves a positive mention it's William Fichtner, who plays the villain well. However, if you set your expectations a bit lower than you may expect for a `blockbuster' of this scale, you should get some fun out of it. I certainly didn't hate the film, but it isn't what the producers hoped it to be, i.e. the start of the next Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. I can't see The Lone Ranger spawning three sequels (to date). So, if you're looking for a few good lines from Johnny Depp and plenty of action, stick with it - the last twenty minutes rock (basically when the Lone Ranger music finally starts to play). If only the rest of the film could have been as good as the ending, it may have got less of a mauling at the box office.

5/10 a hard trek, a bit like unicycling to Mordor and back