The Lone Ranger rides a new trail

By SHIRLEY BROUN

I HAVE seen the trailers, various media outlet interviews and countless reports over the internet but I am still yet to see the latest Disney blockbuster, The Lone Ranger.

Johnny Depp as Tonto in The Lone Ranger

It opened yesterday around Australia and I, for one, can’t wait to take my seat in the closest movie cinema complex to see what producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp as Tonto have created for our on-screen pleasure.

With Johnny Depp as the leading character, teamed with young Armie Hammer as The Lone Ranger, I start to chuckle just thinking about it. What humorous antics is our loveable Johnny Depp up to this time … can’t wait to find out!

Much of the movie was filmed on location in the deserts of Utah and Nevada and features daring stunts and trick horse riding.

Media reports of Johnny Depp being thrown off his horse during filming illustrate that it is not as easy as it seems … must say, I was pleased to see our leading man endured the painful dismount to ride-on another day.

For those who remember the 1949 Lone Ranger television series … let me tell you from all reports this is just as enjoyable but quite removed from the traditional story-line.

In the movie, Native American warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice. And … it is Tonto that suggests the Lone Ranger wear a mask. Wow, how about that!

Johnny Depp, who at 48 is among those who watched the original black and white TV series, is all for the new approach to the Lone Ranger script. “I remember feeling perturbed with the depiction of Tonto (as played by Native American actor Jay Silverheels) as the sidekick,” Depp told media at a recent conference. “That just didn’t register properly in my head.”

“No disrespect to anybody at all, certainly not Jay Silverheels, but I just thought (making this movie) was potentially an opportunity to right the wrong,” he said.

As a result, this latest Disney creation presents a thrilling adventure fused with action and humour, in which the famed masked hero is brought to life through new eyes.

In true Depp style, Tonto’s account of this fascinating story is set to take audiences on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.

Great to see Aussie actor Damon Herriman in the The Lone Ranger cast as well. Herriman plays Cavendish gang member Ray, who wears a hangman’s noose around his neck as a reminder of the time he almost died at the end of the rope.

Aussie Damon Herriman, left, in The Lone Ranger.

His appearance was literally transformed for the part, involving up to four hours planted in the chair with the make-up artist before filming each day. The talented actor is also starring in Aussie release `100 Bloody Acres’.

If you have seen the Lone Ranger, please let us know what you thought!

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