I was glad to hear that there was going to be a new Lone Ranger film coming out because I have fond memories of watching the TV show reruns when I was a kid, and the last film adaptation did not do the character justice, in my opinion. I've seen the trailer for the new movie and I'm not quite sure what to make of it. The casting of Johnny Depp as Tonto just isn't working for me and the over the top action and silly humor seemed out of place as well. It might end up being a fun cowboy film, but I think I'll still be waiting for that perfect Lone Ranger movie.
Cool cover!
ReplyDeleteI tried reading Dynamite's The Lone Ranger. The covers were pretty cool to look at, but the story was a little more mature, dark and gritty for my taste. I think some characters, like The Lone Ranger and Zorro need to stay family friendly and not be updated to be edgy.
I think Johnny Depp's Tonto is going to be a distraction to the film and story. It may be an authentic "native American" look, but I'm not sure that's the point. The point is a cowboy hero wearing a mask with a partner that is an Indian and the trust they have to earn in crime-fighting. It's the same kind of trust issues for Batman.
Hopefully, The Lone Ranger will do better than The Green Hornet at the box office. I would hate to see both characters turned to Kryptonite for years by bad box office.
Scalphunter is another character that benefited from James Robinson's Starman. The character was drawn into the Opal City landscape by the "Tales of Times Past" series that Robinson ran through the course of the series. It's a shame that more writers haven't maintained that kind of eclectic approach.
I remember thinking the same thing when Scalphunter showed up in the series.
ReplyDeleteStudios saw how audiences responded ($$$) with an over the top, fX heavy Sherlock Holmes, so it seems every vintage hero rebooted for the big screen will get the same treatment. I do, however, respect Johnny Depps attempt to raise awareness of the image and spiritual culture of Native Americans and their contribution to creating this country. The "west" was not just white cowboys, it was Blacks/African-Americans, Chicanos/Latinos (the first and real cowboys:Vaqueros) and Native Americans more significantly. And The Lone Ranger mythos should rightfully be placed in the context of that history.
ReplyDeleteI'm willing to give the new movie a chance, but I don't have very high hopes based on what I've seen so far.
ReplyDeleteIn defense of the 1981 movie, Legend of the Lone Ranger wasn't a bad movie. But it was overshadowed by the bad publicity generated by taking the mask away from the then still living Clayton Moore and the fact that Klinton Spilsbury's only real talent was looking good. It was later revealed that even his VOICE was dubbed, and the man has not done any film work since. It was well worth the $1 I paid to see it at the second run theater of the day.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I have the same reservations (no pun intended) that everyone else has about Depp as Tonto, and has anyone noticed that not much has been said (that I am aware of) about Armie Hammer (what a name!) as the title character!!!
But from what I have seen from the trailer(s), the film does have an interesting plot point dealing with the railroad.
We'll just have to see how it plays out, but let's hope Disney doesn't get as possessive with the Ranger as they have with previous licensed properties.
@Paper: personally, I think Johnny Depp did more permanent harm than good with his rendition of Tonto. Much like Will Farrell's unforgivable b******ization of Sid and Marty Kroft's LAND OF THE LOST (which I'm dead certain he based more on ABC's equally b******ized remake of the original series).*
ReplyDelete*Emphasis on "moron."