RANGO

[ningshuangchao]

Rango is a lizard that does not even have a name. He lives in a fish tank with his toy fish and plays his own drama all day long. It seem that he is so lonely that has to lives in his heroic fantasy. But he never thinks about maybe there is a day he can get out of that fish tank, and maybe somewhere, out there, is an isolated western town that his heroic dream can come true. The day do[es] arrive by an accident. After accidentally killing the intimidating hawk with just one bullet, he become[s] the sheriff of the town.

Though he is a phony, everyone believes in him and his “play” for the reason that they really need something to believe in and comfort them in this dry, desperate land. Such a dramatic incident can't be kept secret and Rango exposes his true identity finally. Losing his pride and the sense of being trusted, he left the town. The mayor of the town who actually is the villain of this story seems to win this battle and achieve his evil goal.

However, Rango comes back after he is told that no man can walk out on his own story. He is not confus[ed] any more, depressed any more. Instead, he finds out who he really is, he is not the little lizard in a red shirt or the sheriff he pretends to be, he is just Rango, the one who wants to follow his heart and decides to save the town and people he cares about. And he succeeds. He might not be born a hero, but he eventually grew into a hero.

For me, this is a great movie that [is] full of suggestions and metaphors. Perhaps it is no longer a children’s cartoon, but an intriguing and insightful story for adults. We all experience the time of feeling lost and hesitated but as long as we don’t give up and follow the voice in our heart, we can survive and even succeed.

Teacher's note: This author is correct; we never learn Rango's real name. But we sure learn a lot about his character flaws and how he works to overcome them. This, of course makes Rango human, but wait . . . He is actually a chameleon. I wonder why he's a chameleon?? I bet this author knows. Thanks for a great post. So glad you like R-R-R-Range . . . !

--mike www.moviesgrowenglish.com

[xshang]

This is an interesting and inspiring movie. It reminds and inspired me several things in our life.

First, don't take everything for granted. The most precious thing in the world are all free like air, water, love,health and life. However, once lost them, it will hardly come back. When I was watching the movie, I start to question myself. I should remind myself more that the life I have is so wonderful.

Second, responsibility can make a person strong. Rango is actually an ordinary lizard. He is timid, weak,and even more, he brags and lies. However, in the end, he saved the little town. One of the biggest reasons is that people rely on him, and he felt that he is in charge of the whole thing. It is his responsibility of find the water, and save their lives.

Finally, Life is cruel;therefore,people need hopes and dreams.When animals are thirsty, they desperately need water;however, they are not freaking out because they believe there is water in the bank. However, when they knew the water is gone, and Rango is a liar, they are truly desperate because there is no hope anymore.

I love the film very much. Thank you mike, for introducing us so many wonderful films.

Teacher's note: My first impression of Rango was not favorable. This weird green lizard had few likable qualities. But . . . it was Johnny Depp, and the IMDb rating was pretty high for an animation. So I took a chance and invested my time in creating an ESL lesson around Rango. Funny thing, the more I got to know this film, the more I recognized its brilliance.

IMHO what's amazing about Rango is that it finds a way to deliver a super important message in a way so ridiculous that no one notices its devious intentions. This is good, no GREAT, because the important message, as you describe it, arrives as we least expect it. The message does not preach to us. We just get it. I'm glad you like the film choices. Thanks for your post.

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

[Virak94]

I had always wanted to see Rango, however, circumstances have always kept me from viewing it. Now that I have seen it, I can safely say that Rango is a movie worth seeing.

The animation is not the kind that we would expect for a family movie; the characters are not cute animals, instead they look tough, and some of them even disturbing. Everything has a purpose: they are animals from the desert; always thirsty, not only for water but for enlightenment.

Rango can be divided into six parts:
1. The quest.
2. Life and success at Dirt.
3. Dirt's main problem.
4. Rango's little dirty secret.
5. The epiphany.
6. The grand finale.

And, in my opinion, we can divide them into two groups:
1. Heroic movie.
2. Child movie.

With Rango's life and success at Dirt, his secret and the grand finale, could have made for a predictable, not-so-enjoyable children's movie. The quest, Dirt's main problem and the epiphany are begging for an analysis and an applause.

The leading question of the film is "who am I?", which will become, later in the film: "Who is Rango?"

This quest for identity and meaning is the motivation of a nameless lizard. An unexpected event changes everything and he has to make a name for himself; in a town where he is known by nobody and has no previous story, he is able to become whoever he wants to be.

The whole movie leads us to discover freedom; once you choose who you want to be, you have to stand by your beliefs and follow your previously established guidelines... If you choose to be a hero, then it is your responsibility to be one.

The (real) epiphany, happens when we, and in this case Rango, realize that we CAN be the heroes we pretended to be. This "leitmotiv" can be found in ancient heroic stories, and modern superheroes movies (Christopher Nolan's Batman, to name one of my favorites).

Although I feel the "Child movie" part is predictable, but necessary, I think the "Heroic movie" part makes it a really interesting movie.

Teacher's note: Thanks for a thoroughly observant report. Glad you finally got to see Rango. This author might enjoy The Iron Giant, another movie about being "who you choose to be." I hope you'll continue to post here!!

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

[JuniE]

I think the producers choose to use small animals to show these characters maybe as a way to increase sarcastic effect and also to make use of the characteristics that every animal has. To show how animal circle works just like human world's competition.

I think Rango is a character who can fit in the situation very quickly. He is not sure about what he can do at first, he just enjoy[s] performing and relaxing life. However, after being thrown into the West, he begin[s] to face the "real life". He played to be " a hero" and gained the reputation. However, he is not confidence as the snack [snake] force[s] him to tell the truth, he left. He still doesn't believe in himself. Only after his conversation with the spirit of the West did [does] he really understand what he can achieve. He is a rightious and brave guy, and he came back to save the town. And he is also very smart, although not very physically strong. In essence, he is a resemblance of the type that "every individual can become a hero."

Rango's main problem is to give up pretending to be someone else and be what he really is. Relating to the plot, his main problem is to find the water and uncover the conspiracy of the mayor.I learned a lot from this movie, I think the Spirit of the West is like a symbol of your faith to believe in what you can achieve. It's the spirit of braveness, fearlessness and adventurousness. It's remind me of a sentence once I see in a[n] advertising video, that is : "the one that wins is not always the strongest, but is the one that believe he can."

Teacher's note: OK, author. Good theory on why the animals play humans. Great profile on Rango's character, but please be careful with "verb forms and time frame." I love this author's take on The Spirit of the West. Never quite thought of it that way before. Great job and thanks for posting!

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

[Parksukchom]

They used small character because it is possible for them to live in a desert. The problem of this movie is no water on their village so they have to find the water. I like this movie it is very good story and very easy to understand the whole story.

Sorry for reviewing late.


Teacher's note: Thanks for remembering to post. I just noticed that yours is post number 2000. I am very amazed at all the wonderful contributions made by you and so many other amazing authors. Nice short-but-sweet summary and opinion.

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