Film review: The Lone Ranger (6 out of 10)

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The iconic series that I used to watch on the TV (I stress these were the repeats much later on) has hit the big screen.

However, despite a solid cast and a pretty fair plot, the finished product just doesn’t fit together to create a perfect package.

Probably the most difficult aspect to come to terms with is Johnny Depp as Tonto.

There’s been plenty of comment in the US about the great man playing a native American.

The problem is that there are a few native Americans in the film and Depp does stand out like the proverbial sore thumb.

His accent seems OK but dressing up in the role and painting your face can’t hide the truth.

Then there’s the whole tone of the movie.

The production team is the same that brought us the Pirates of the Caribbean series and The Lone Ranger has that same formula - plenty of peril mixed up with a good dose of humour.

Just as in Pirates... you just know evil won’t win and good will prevail - that’s it, no grey areas or moving away from the formula.

So, while this is a good yarn, I was left feeling a bit disappointed, mulling over what could have been a far more interesting grittier story.

Instead, we meet an aged Tonto who tells a young boy the story of how The Lone Ranger started.

It’s a tale of revenge and greed and plenty of death - but dished up in Disney fashion.

If you thought Depp played a good pirate you’ll probbaly think he’s a decent Tonto.

Arnie Hammer is John Reid, the Lone Ranger, but despite a good effort he was always going to play second fiddle.

England’s own Ruth Wilson gets a juicy Hollywood role to show her skills while Helena Bonham Carter has a pretty pointless part that could easily have been dropped.

And yet another actor from the UK, Tom Wilkinson, is solid enough as railroad man Cole. Wilkinson has played so many roles with an American accent I swear many people will think he is from the US.

The action sequences are excellent as you would expect these days but the film does go on too long (a massive 149 minutes).

With the poor reviews flying around and disappointing audience figures back in America it seems unlikely there will be a follow-up film.

However, if there is one they should just drop the pretence and call it Tonto and the Lone Ranger.

Film details: The Lone Ranger (12A) 149 mins

Director: Gore Verbinski

Starring: Johnny Depp, Arnie Hammer. Tom Wilkinson, Ruth Wilson

Screening courtesy of Cineworld Crawley