Rango (2011)

Rango (PG)

"Drain the Lizard"

Despite my severe case of Johnny Depp burnout, I have to admit  Rango is actually really good.  Visually it's achievements far outweigh its oddities.  Character designs and environmental effects surpass many of the big studio's efforts, with a heavy emphasis on lighting and voice acting.  Creativity is the main draw, this feels like a movie made not by a corporate committee but a good brainstorming session by some talented folks.  Yes, it has mandatory burp and fart jokes for the kids, and some of the characters just don't look quite right, but there is a vein of deliciously dark perverse reality here, and the film's anti-big business/pro-artist message is fine by me.

7.5 fidgety Chameleons out of 10 (GOOD)