RANGO

[maikuu]

[brenda]

The movie talks about Rango a Little chameleon that used to live in a comfortable fishbowl with some toys until one accident occurs and the fishbowl its thrower [is thrown] away in the highway so the chameleon follows his shadow through the desert, but is almost eaten by a hawk. Taking refuge in a storm drain, the chameleon wakes the next morning to a small rush of water that quickly evaporates in the sun. Close by, he comes across a female lizard named Beans and she helps him to arrive to the town that have troubles with water, because there’s not enough for all the people in town, so Rango faces a funny character trying to resolve who he is, and how he wants to be, also plays an important role in the town so they could resolve the water problem.

I don’t know for sure why they choose those little animals but for me it was like a metaphor by showing us that we are so little and insignificant but our problems are so big, that we are drowning in a glass of water making things a little bit more complicated that what they really are, and maybe the solution its next to you and you just have to turn around and see that the answer its over there.

I like Rango because even that he was used to have everything in his little aquarium he try [tries] to adapted to the down and do his best, I like the part when Rango realizes that like nobody knows him he could be whatever he wants to be.

Teacher's note: Thanks for the first Rango post and a really cool one, too. Yes, Rango ultimately becomes an admirable character. This change of character is known as the character arc. It is an important aspect of story development.

I hope you will visit this forum again and post your own movies. Yes, anyone who is registered can PostTopic and start a new thread. You can base it on a movie or on a movie topic.

--mike moviesgrowenglish.com

[Elvira]

Rango is the western animation. It received Oscar as the best animation. The main character, Rango, is a frog that lived in the terrarium. He wanted to have friends and show that he is brave, but he couldn't because he was isolated. Then he got in an accident and was relived.

Even though this animation is about animals, the story is related to people. For example, many people can be like Rango and live their imagined "perfect" lives without understanding the reality.

Overall, the animation seems very intriguing an interesting. It has deeper meaning and shows political issues.

Teacher's note: That's correct, Academy Award for Best Animation. Yes, I agree that Rango is a metaphor for our relationship with the environment. It may require some insight to get this. Thanks for raising this important point. Hope you visit this Forum again. Thanks for posting!

--mike www.moviesgrowenglish.com

[Heidi Yin]

Rango, unlike other animated films i have ever seen before.
It is very different from the Miyazaki Hayao’s animated films which i love the most.

The whole story is all about a little creature, Rango. Rango is a very lonely pet chameleon, while facing a major identity crisis. After a car accident, he arrive in an old western town called Dirt, a lawless populated town with a lot wily creatures. What this town really needs the most is the nature resource, water. What they also needs is a hero who can help the town to find the source of water. Then the thirsty Rango instantly steps out and takes on the role of hero and agrees to take on the case of their missing water.

It is a good animated film. I guess the audiences like my age will enjoy this film quiet a lot. I really like the gorgeous artwork of this film, and the characters design are very unique and looks real. However, i do not think some of the visuals and jokes inside the movie are very appropriate for children. It included too many scenes of gunshot, smoking and drinking. I did not recognize the voice of Rango while i watching the film, when i search this film online, i got to know Johnny Depp was actually the person who [was] behind the scene and played the role of Rango, I was very surprised for that.

If people want to watch something easy and fun, go and watch this film.

Teacher's note: Thank you author for an eloquent set up of Rango along with a good opinion piece. I agree that some scenes may not be appropriate for kids although my 10-year-old daughter (a fledgling Hollywood actor) understands the context vs. reality with no problem. The MGE whole-movie lesson for Rango says that Johnny Depp is the voice of Rango. If this author has a copy, she may locate this information at the top of page one on the lesson. Thanks for posting!

--mike www.moviesgrowenglish.com

[jasper]

This movie teaches me a good lesson.

Rango is a pet chameleon always on the lookout for action and adventure, except the fake kind, where he directs it and acts in it. After a car accident, he winds up in an old western town called Dirt. What this town needs the most is water, but they also need a hero and a sheriff. The thirsty Rango instantly takes on the role of both and selfishly agrees to take on the case of their missing water. His biggest problem is to how to save the Dirt from drought.

My favorite thing about the visuals is the environment. Look at the sky and the desert. Cinematography is also great. Every visuals are eye candy. The scene when Rango and his friends are being chased by bats and gophers is truly breathtaking.


"Rango" is more appealing to adults than to kids. It has a lot of reference to the old western movies which kids might not understand. There is nothing new about this movie but "Rango" is visually stunning, full of decency and totally hilarious. Though there are problems about the story but it's dark, crazy, and exciting. Rango is a creative, dazzling, and funny tribute to classic westerns.

Rango lives in his 'aquarium' （comfortable zone）like us. But then suddenly this aquarium breaks. It is time to face up the real world. The real world is harsh. You meet other people who are different and don't accept you because you are different. All people like good stories and are filled with their own illusions. You don't need courage, brain to be a hero, just know the right words at the right time.

Teacher's note: Yes, I also truly enjoyed the action sequences, especially the air battle and its result. Also,I think this author has a pretty good handle on how Rango pays tribute to the classic Hollywood genre [think John Wayne, Clint Eastwood]. However, I read no mention of the simple but profoundly-presented message hidden in the story. Thanks for a cool post.

--mike www.moviesgrowenglish.com

[Amberlovesfilm]

I am not sure why the producers choose animals (and they are not exactly the prettiest animals) to portray the characters, but I guess using animals make the story more poignant and sarcastic. The stereotypes of the animals actually matched the personalities of the characters, for example, lizard is usually considered to be sneaky, just like Rango. In other words, I guess animals are used to reveal more about the characters.

Rango is a little lizard who is full of wild imagination, and he desires others’ attention so much. Despite that he is actually timid and a little bit of [a] coward, Rango constantly tries to convince others that he is brave and tough. His trouble lies in the fact that he is not aware of the dangers behind the shortage of water, and he has little idea about what the investigation of dumping water may incur.

There are good people and bad people in the world, but most of people fall in between. Rango is just a common flawed “person” as well. His vanity may be problematic, but it is not a serious sin. I guess the ending of the film will still be good.

Teacher's note: Thanks for a well-conceived critical essay on Rango. I especially want to validate your assessment of why dirty little desert animals are used to portray humans in a classic Western. I want to add that the portrayal of real desert animals in the personification of humans takes us into their world of desperation for water. It gives this desperation a face and makes the message all the more poignant. Do you agree? Great job!.

--mike www.moviesgrowenglish.com

[Khalil]

WOW! This movie got me after the the first 20 minuets The way they make us think that he was in a great wild life. But suddenly it wasn't that perfect then a huge change happend. I watched the first half of the movie and its really seems great, I'm so excited to watch the rest of it.

The movie Rango is about a lizard named Rango who had an accedent and begin his own adventure in the dessert. The movie deserve 7.5 so far.

Teacher's note: You must watch the second half. It gets better . . . and even better.

--mike www.moviesgrowenglish.com

[coco]

Rango is a skinny, green lizard living in a fish tank at first. He is very lonely because he doesn’t have anyone to talk to. Therefore, he fantasizes his own hero drama. One day, an accident drives his out of his fish tank. He ends up to the western wilderness road. He meets a goat on the road who lures him to walk into the desert. That’s the first time he talks to someone else except himself. When he walks into the desert, he is attacked by a fierce falcon. After some setbacks, he comes to the town called Dirt, where lives many insects and animals. The town in dilapidated, like a dead city. Rango accidentally kills a ferocious Falcon, which impressed the town's residents. Due to this accident, he is named as sheriff of Dirt and he is so happy to enjoy this honor.

At first I think Rango is quite pitiful, because he is very lonely. He talks to himself and pretend an artificial fish as his best friend. After Rango become the sheriff, I start to feel he is consumed by his vanity. He pretends that he is capable of everything which makes me less fond of him. But I think my mind will change after I finish the whole movie, and I am really looking forward to see the other half.

After viewing the first part of this movie, I learned some philosophy of life, such as we are nothing without enlightenment. I really like this movie because Rango uses Johnny Depp’s voice which is really attractive. And the music of this movie is quite west style which is really accord with the theme of this movie. And the animation is great.

[mira_cle]

Rango used to be a human's pet. His life is lonely and boring but definitely safe. One day an accident happened; his easy life was gone and all he had was a place where ran out of water. In this town he will become a true heroe.

And why [does the] director choose to use small animals to portray the characters? I think that is because he wants to emphasize how important the water is. For human a drop of water means nothing to us, but a drop of water can keep tiny creatures alive. I like Rango not only because he dub by Johnny Depp but also Rango'[s] personality. He likes to boost on himself but he is decent in the bottom of his heart.

By the way, I really like Johnny Depp. He is my favorite actor especially when he play[s] Jack Sparrow.

Thank you!

Teacher's note: Glad you like Rango, a most offbeat film for sure. Johnny Depp is famous for taking unusual parts in unusual films, and Rango fits right in. I also like your theory about why the director uses animals. It does make a point. Thanks for posting.

--mike http://www.moviesgrowenglish.com

[HildaL]

Rango is a lonely lizard. He has no friend. Thus, when suddenly a town of animals regard him as a hero, he is thrilled. Rango begins to live in the lie, as a hero. I think RANGO cannot be categorized as a common cartoon. It's in fact somewhat provoking. The scene that Rango going across the highway hits me. He is so small in front of the vehicles that all the cars could pass over him. This is contrast with everything happens in the Dirt. We have already forgotten that we are watching story about animals. Therefore, Rango looks so helpless and hopeless at that scene.

I think Rango raises questions about natural resource,modernization, and greediness of human beings. I enjoy this film.

Teacher's note: Yes!! I felt the same way when I saw this poor, tiny, defenseless creature crossing that busy highway. It is so odd that such an off-the-wall animation film ultimately hammers us pretty hard with a profound message about how precious our planet is. If only we would heed the warnings . . . Thanks for posting.

--mike www.moviesgrowenglish.com