Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW
Rango
MPA Rating:
for rude humor, language, action and smoking.
for rude humor, language, action and smoking.
Reviewed by: Patty Moliterno
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Offensive |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Teens Adults |
| Genre: | Animation Action Adventure Comedy |
| Length: | 1 hr. 47 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2011 |
| USA Release: |
March 4, 2011 (wide—3,700+ theaters) DVD: July 15, 2011 |
Relevant Issues
importance of telling the truth
desert creatures
difference between reptiles and amphibians
predators and prey
importance of water
animals in the Bible
loss of a parent
Adventures in the rainforest! Learn about the Creator of the universe by exploring His marvelous creation. Fun for the whole family with games, activities, stories, answers to children’s questions, color pages, and more! One of the Web’s first and most popular Christian Web sites for children. Nonprofit, evangelical, nondenominational.
| Featuring |
Johnny Depp—Rango / Lars (voice) Isla Fisher—Beans (voice) Abigail Breslin—Priscilla (voice) Ned Beatty—Mayor (voice) Alfred Molina—Roadkill (voice) Bill Nighy—Rattlesnake Jake (voice) Stephen Root—Doc / Merrimack / Mr. Snuggles (voice) Harry Dean Stanton—Balthazar (voice) Timothy Olyphant—Spirit of the West (voice) Ray Winstone—Bad Bill (voice) See all » |
| Director |
Gore Verbinski |
| Producer |
Tim Headington—executive producer John B. Carls—producer See all » |
| Distributor |
“spaghetti western parody”
Rango, played by the voice of Johnny Depp, is no ordinary lizard. He lives a life of luxury, complete with his own pool and a drink with a little umbrella. When the movie begins, we see him “directing” a film with a cast of characters that range from a wind-up fish to a decapitated Barbie doll without clothes (who is also missing lower extremities and an arm). Rango’s life suddenly crashes around him, and he is thrown into the hot, waterless Mojave desert.
Along Rango’s journey, he meets up with another lizard named Bean (Isla Fisher). Bean tells him there is a town around called Dirt, and when he goes into the town, he learns that water is in short supply. Water is the currency of the town, with deposits being held in the town bank. Rango begins playing in the greatest scene of his life and lies about who he is and what he has done in his life. The townspeople are so taken with him that he is quickly accepted as the new sheriff. When someone steals the only water left, Rango and his newly formed posse set out to find the culprits and bring water back to the town.
There are many very nice elements in this story. The storyline itself is cute and entertaining. Numerous scenes from other movies such as “High Noon,” “Star Wars,” and other westerns will have you watching for more. There are many times during this movie where you are taken back to the days of old Looney Tunes shows. In addition, the movie is well made, and the imagination that went into it is evident everywhere (from the Pepto-Bismol outhouse to the cactus juice bottle). The graphics are outstanding.
However, there are way too many elements that are not suitable for children. The movie is set in a western town stuck in the past. They use many “scenes” from old western movies, but if this is a children’s movie, they should have eliminated some of the language. There are several uses of hell and d-mn. In addition, there is overall potty humor and inappropriate sexual and adult comments. The term lover is used; Rango asks the Barbie doll (regarding her breasts), “Are those for real?”; two women of the town exchange name calling which includes “floozy” and “tramp.” The phrase “wipe my unmentionable” is used. There is a scene where someone says, “he has an exceptionally large prostate.” The town doctor then puts on a rubber glove and asks “who’s ready for an exam?”. The term cojones is used. And it goes on and on throughout the movie.
Other objectionable content: References are made to the spiritual journey on “the other side of the road.” There is talk of the Great Spirit of the West (it turns out the spirit is a Clint Eastwood look-alike dressed from “High Noon”). Rango and his posse join hands to pray to the Spirit of the West. Townspeople gather in a “sacred time,” and march over to the “holy spigot.” Rango repeatedly lies to the townspeople about who he is and his accomplishments.
This movie, also, has western style violence, complete with gun fights, chase scenes, and bar room fights. Smoking and drinking are also shown. An armadillo is run over and lies in the middle of the road with a tire track across his midsection. The snake villain has a machine gun for his tail and is sure to scare younger children.
There are several positive quotes in the film such as “It’s the deeds that make the man” and “No man can walk out on his own story.” Rango confesses about lying to the townspeople.
As John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Rango makes the choice to put himself in harm to save the townspeople who he has come to regard as friends.
Instead of sitting and wanting to watch more of the movie, I sat cringing at all the inappropriate comments. Since I have children, when I do a review of a G or PG movie, they come with me. I am always anxious to hear their “review” of the movie. However, I am sorry that they saw this film, and I cannot give it my recommendation. I know I will be criticized for this, because this movie will be liked by many. However, there are far too many things I did not want my 6 and 8 year old to hear, even if they don’t understand the references. As for older children, they will get those references, and you have to ask yourself if you want to endorse those things so you can watch a “well-made movie.”
Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Minor
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
Positive
Positive—I thoroughly enjoyed the originality and talented voice casting of this movie. Plus, the animation completely blew me away! While it is true that this movie probably isn’t for small kids, who made up this rule that all animated movies had to be appropriate for three year olds?
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Nita Sparkley, age 18 (USA)
Positive—I really enjoyed this movie, and I find it so strange that so many other people did not. The rating for the movie was PG, which officially means “Some material may not be suitable for pre-teenagers.” Most of the complaints are about people talking about 5-7 issues that their pre-teenagers shouldn’t have seen. Am I missing something, as this is exactly what the rating stated? Also, just because a movie is PG and animated doesn’t mean it is specifically meant for kids.
I found this movie not just another slapstick kid comedy (though it had some of that), but really a good, good movie. I do find it in bad taste that they would have a kid put a gun in his mouth in a humor play, but it actually was funny the way they did it. But again, a teenage would know better, and that is what parental guidance is for.
Also someone mentioned that in a bottle rolling scene that one create told Rango that “I’ll let you pleasure my sister!!!” That is not what he said. The creature said “I’ll let you kiss my sister” as a clear joke as there is no sister that we have seen. I wanted to correct that as it was clearly a misleading statement by the other person.
Also, everyone keeps mentioning this naked Barbie doll. It is a perfect replication of a doll everyone had when they were kids! Really, really come on. I am pretty sure any kid over the age of 3 has seen a Barbie doll, and the only way you are going to think it is bad is if you put some image on it that was there to begin with.
Anyway, I loved this film. It isn’t an all out laugh fest, but a good movie with great graphics and animation. If you stick with the actual guidance of the review board (Some material may not be suitable for pre-teenagers) you will enjoy it, too.
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
I found this movie not just another slapstick kid comedy (though it had some of that), but really a good, good movie. I do find it in bad taste that they would have a kid put a gun in his mouth in a humor play, but it actually was funny the way they did it. But again, a teenage would know better, and that is what parental guidance is for.
Also someone mentioned that in a bottle rolling scene that one create told Rango that “I’ll let you pleasure my sister!!!” That is not what he said. The creature said “I’ll let you kiss my sister” as a clear joke as there is no sister that we have seen. I wanted to correct that as it was clearly a misleading statement by the other person.
Also, everyone keeps mentioning this naked Barbie doll. It is a perfect replication of a doll everyone had when they were kids! Really, really come on. I am pretty sure any kid over the age of 3 has seen a Barbie doll, and the only way you are going to think it is bad is if you put some image on it that was there to begin with.
Anyway, I loved this film. It isn’t an all out laugh fest, but a good movie with great graphics and animation. If you stick with the actual guidance of the review board (Some material may not be suitable for pre-teenagers) you will enjoy it, too.
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
James, age 30 (USA)
Positive—With all the bad reviews, I was worried about this one, BUT it was a pretty good movie. YES, the main complaint is this is NOT for children, nor did anyone ever say it was, and it is PG. It had some good messages, especially at the end. I will admit there was about 10 minutes in the middle, I was getting bored and almost wanted to leave, but after they got through that part, the movie got a lot better. They only said hell literally, a few times, not every other sentence. And sure the snake was creepy, but his role was to represent evil, so, of course, he was going to say weird things like, I will take you to hell.
I did learn a few things 1) No one can walk out on their own story 2) It’s not about you, it’s about the other people you are going to help. That was worth seeing the movie just to hear that!
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½
I did learn a few things 1) No one can walk out on their own story 2) It’s not about you, it’s about the other people you are going to help. That was worth seeing the movie just to hear that!
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Samantha, age 36 (USA)
Positive—Loved it. I love westerns, especially, especially, ESPECIALLY spaghetti westerns. Okay, so a little movie lingo for you newcomers. Spaghetti westerns were the bread and butter of my favorite director Sergio Leone. S’ghetti westerns featured a mostly Italian and Spanish body of cast members, with the occasional Americano or Deutscher thrown in for good measure. Nearly all of their audio tracks were composed in post-production, from dialogue to ambient sounds and of course music. And most often, they were shot overseas, though set in America in the old west. What may have been El Paso on film was really a desert in Spain. So there’s your 101 on s’ghetti westerns. I love ‘em. They’re timeless. Their music (especially in “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” and “Once Upon a Time in the West”) is sharp and either conjures or directly supplements images of duels, death, heat, dust, wind, and other desert elements. The thing about s’ghetti westerns is not the violence; it’s the buildup, the palpable tension leading up to the showdown, which is itself very fleeting. So long shots and close-ups are no strangers to these films. They’re a different breed of western entirely. See all »
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Cam, age 24 (USA)
Positive—I’m shocked by the # of adults who believe this movie deserves such harsh censure. This is a Western folks, so spare me the piety lessons. You’ve been walking the Earth how many years now? Do your homework before taking the kids.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Mega Tron, age 25 (USA)
Neutral
Neutral—Despite a theater full of children, this is not a movie for little kids. The storyline may be a challenge for them, the dialogue over their heads and the showdown with Rattlesnake Jake intense. The movie is well-made and the variety of characters enjoyable. My wife and I identified a least 10 homage’s to other movies—“Star Wars,” “Chinatown,” “Raising Arizona,” “High Noon,” many Clint Eastwood films. The movie moved slowly, and the plot was predictable, like so many westerns—townspeople in despair, a land-grabbing (water-hoarding) mayor, an evil hired gun, and a stranger who arrives and all the townspeople put their faith in the newcomer.
The people also put their faith in a higher-power, but it is not the God of the Bible, but “the spirit of the west,” who looks like Clint Eastwood.
While running away from his deceitful rogue with the townspeople, Rango has a spiritual encounter in the desert with the “spirit of the west.” He returns to redeem his reputation and save the people. There are spiritual elements to talk about in this movie—a living a life of transparency and honesty, placing your faith and hope in people and things, discerning a true God from false ones, living a life of desperation and oppression apart from God.
If you are looking for a fun movie a.k.a. Disney/Pixar this is not it. If you are a cinephile, you will like picking out movie references. If you see this movie with older teens and adults, it will give you plenty of spiritual elements to discuss.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
The people also put their faith in a higher-power, but it is not the God of the Bible, but “the spirit of the west,” who looks like Clint Eastwood.
While running away from his deceitful rogue with the townspeople, Rango has a spiritual encounter in the desert with the “spirit of the west.” He returns to redeem his reputation and save the people. There are spiritual elements to talk about in this movie—a living a life of transparency and honesty, placing your faith and hope in people and things, discerning a true God from false ones, living a life of desperation and oppression apart from God.
If you are looking for a fun movie a.k.a. Disney/Pixar this is not it. If you are a cinephile, you will like picking out movie references. If you see this movie with older teens and adults, it will give you plenty of spiritual elements to discuss.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Jeff Mc, age 51 (USA)
Neutral—We saw this movie tonight, and I do not think that it is a show for young children. The plot is slow-moving, and there is mild profanity. The basic story portrays unselfishness and courage of the hero, Rango. It is a serious story with some humor. It was not a bad movie, but I would not take the time to see it again.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Debbie, age 58 (USA)
Neutral—Rango is a lonely chameleon who doesn’t really have a clear idea of who he is on the inside. Wouldn’t you be a little confused, too, if your owner didn’t give you anything or anyone to play with in your terrarium but a plastic goldfish and palm tree? This is exactly his predicament until he’s bumped out into the desert during a road trip on the side of the highway. What else is a chameleon to do? Go and find his Destiny, in the little dried up town of Dirt.
Give him a badge and he enters the role of the town’s newest Sheriff and promises hope, protection, and water to Dirt’s bizarre and grotesque animal citizens. It’s the Wild West adventure we’ve heard before. Small town on the verge of dying. Plagued by hawks and giant rattlesnakes and corrupt law officers.
The beautiful lizard Ms. Beans is close to losing her ranch and selling out her father’s deed. And the awkward stranger who’s just trying to fit in happened to be at the right place and time is the town’s newest dream for a better life.
See all »
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Give him a badge and he enters the role of the town’s newest Sheriff and promises hope, protection, and water to Dirt’s bizarre and grotesque animal citizens. It’s the Wild West adventure we’ve heard before. Small town on the verge of dying. Plagued by hawks and giant rattlesnakes and corrupt law officers.
The beautiful lizard Ms. Beans is close to losing her ranch and selling out her father’s deed. And the awkward stranger who’s just trying to fit in happened to be at the right place and time is the town’s newest dream for a better life.
See all »
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Caroline, age 21 (USA)
Neutral—First off, some scenes in RANGO will make you wonder about the “Uncanny Valley.” The Uncanny Valley is where the technology makes the imaginary so real, it is hard to decipher which is which. For an example, the desert city scene from RANGO looked like a real city. Hollywood had been buzzing about bringing back deceased famous celebrities and have them in new movies. The implication are limitless and it’s scary, and that is why it is called Uncanny Valley. However, with all this realism by Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), who had been excellent at detailing special effects for live films for over 30 years, made their first animated feature a treat to behold.
I will not repeat what the film entails because this is a comment and not a review. The main review has been done above. Beyond the CGI, the story was a predictable western in a modern setting with references to so many other western and non-western films, well mostly western, considering STAR WARS has that western opera all over it. The language is above the PG rating, but those old fashion lingos, most of them flies over the youngster’s head. There are some plot devices that required suspension of disbelief, despite it is animated.
***SPOILER*** The armadillo did not die from his injury, but other characters do in their case scenario. The rattle snake has a machine gun for a tail. And a certain cacti plants move on their own ability.
***END SPOILER***
Overall, RANGO was good but still needs some work in the story telling department.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
I will not repeat what the film entails because this is a comment and not a review. The main review has been done above. Beyond the CGI, the story was a predictable western in a modern setting with references to so many other western and non-western films, well mostly western, considering STAR WARS has that western opera all over it. The language is above the PG rating, but those old fashion lingos, most of them flies over the youngster’s head. There are some plot devices that required suspension of disbelief, despite it is animated.
***SPOILER*** The armadillo did not die from his injury, but other characters do in their case scenario. The rattle snake has a machine gun for a tail. And a certain cacti plants move on their own ability.
***END SPOILER***
Overall, RANGO was good but still needs some work in the story telling department.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Mang Yang, age 39 (USA)
Negative
Negative—We took our 3 year old daughter, 3 and 6 year old nephews and my husband’s younger brother who is 13. The only one who I thought this movie was appropriate for was the 13 year old. I am actually surprised that is rating is only PG. There were several instances with unnecessary foul language, as well as many death references.
A mean rattle snake in the movie even said to the leading lady, “look in my eyes, so I can watch you die.”
It was very dark, and we left feeling very disappointed and upset that our kids had just seen a movie like this. I do not usually review movies, because we honestly don’t go very often, but I felt that I had to say something about this film, so that other families with younger children do not make the same mistake that we did by seeing “Rango.”
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
A mean rattle snake in the movie even said to the leading lady, “look in my eyes, so I can watch you die.”
It was very dark, and we left feeling very disappointed and upset that our kids had just seen a movie like this. I do not usually review movies, because we honestly don’t go very often, but I felt that I had to say something about this film, so that other families with younger children do not make the same mistake that we did by seeing “Rango.”
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Kayla, age 22 (USA)
Negative—I usually come to Christian Spotlight for reviews before taking my two boys to the movies, and I sadly regret that I didn’t wait for reviews before heading to see “Rango.” My mom, my two boys, ages 7 and 11, and myself were completely offended by this movie that is supposedly for kids. They use several curse words, there is a lot of crude behavior, also splattered uses of mild sexual content including a reference to lesbians that my 11 year old picked right up on, and, thankfully, it went over my 7 year olds head, drinking, cigars, and much more. Too much bad to count.
It would be easier and very hard to tell you of any parts that weren’t tainted with something bad. It was a waste of money, and I’m upset with myself that I didn’t walk out. Really disappointed. The dialog is completely confusing for kids of most any age, as it is. It really is an adult movie wrapped up to look like a kids’ movie.
It is quite boring as well. The previews before the movie were much better than the entire movie.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
It would be easier and very hard to tell you of any parts that weren’t tainted with something bad. It was a waste of money, and I’m upset with myself that I didn’t walk out. Really disappointed. The dialog is completely confusing for kids of most any age, as it is. It really is an adult movie wrapped up to look like a kids’ movie.
It is quite boring as well. The previews before the movie were much better than the entire movie.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Elisabeth, age 34 (USA)
Negative—I am so upset with myself to have NOT checked with this Web site BEFORE I went to see this move. It was my daughter’s 6th birthday, and I wanted to take her to the newest movie—thought it was cool that it opened on her day. Seemed that it may be okay, but I did have a feeling that I should double check the “message.” I TOTALLY regret NOT checking this site first! We left early, however, my husband, 10 and 8 year old stayed back. My husband thought it was terrible, as well, for young children, and he is not as “over the top” as I am with holding the kids back from seeing this kind of stuff.
The language turned my stomach, and I felt an evil presence with it overall! I’m disappointed in myself, but glad to review this Web site with my children after-the-fact unfortunately… but, fortunately, that we do have you to help the families with the Christian message.
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 1
The language turned my stomach, and I felt an evil presence with it overall! I’m disappointed in myself, but glad to review this Web site with my children after-the-fact unfortunately… but, fortunately, that we do have you to help the families with the Christian message.
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 1
Sherri Louis, age 44 (USA)
Negative—I would not recommend this movie. There are about 3 short funny parts, which you can see on the previews. The rest is extremely boring. Now, my 9 year old son did not find it boring (he’s very easy to please), even though, he did not laugh during the movie, except for the 3 funny parts.
Boredom is only part of the problem. This movie targets children, and there are many situations where curse words (*ell, *amn) are used. The movie starts out with a bare chested mannequin, which appears several times throughout the movie. There is a strong implication to a lesbian gang (called themselves the Thespians, but the reaction was as if they had said Lesbians), which showed up briefly.
The movie is “spiritual”, but worships the wrong God—The Spirit of the West, who actually appears in man-form near the end of the movie. Many references to the way we worship Jesus (God) are used to worship this false God, with amen and hallelujah used frequently.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Boredom is only part of the problem. This movie targets children, and there are many situations where curse words (*ell, *amn) are used. The movie starts out with a bare chested mannequin, which appears several times throughout the movie. There is a strong implication to a lesbian gang (called themselves the Thespians, but the reaction was as if they had said Lesbians), which showed up briefly.
The movie is “spiritual”, but worships the wrong God—The Spirit of the West, who actually appears in man-form near the end of the movie. Many references to the way we worship Jesus (God) are used to worship this false God, with amen and hallelujah used frequently.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Denise, age 51 (USA)
Negative—I actually liked this movie, overall, but the only reason I’m choosing negative is because of small children. I sat in a theater with a group of small children about 5-8 years old. Only 2 things: The clear and prominent use of the word d*** by the snake toward the end of the movie and the evolution teaching by the owls at the beginning (explaining that it took millions years for the animals of the desert town to evolve to be able to survive there).
There were other “things,” but these 2 were used so prominent to leave an impression on little kids. So, though I enjoyed this movie, overall, I wouldn’t bringing your kids to watch it, just because of those references, and because I’m tired of supporting movies that have no concern for the truths and values I’ve come to believe and value. And I remember watching animation films as a kid without having to worrying about profanity at all.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
There were other “things,” but these 2 were used so prominent to leave an impression on little kids. So, though I enjoyed this movie, overall, I wouldn’t bringing your kids to watch it, just because of those references, and because I’m tired of supporting movies that have no concern for the truths and values I’ve come to believe and value. And I remember watching animation films as a kid without having to worrying about profanity at all.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
C_guy, age 36 (USA)
Negative—I took my son and his friends to “Rango” on the day it opened, because it was his 11th birthday. Normally I wait to read reviews, but I thought, how bad can a PG animated movie be?
First of all, I was completely bored through the whole movie. Granted, I’m a bit older than the intended audience, but I usually really enjoy well-made animated kids' films. The plot was slow and predictable. Misfit, others believe he’s something he’s not, he’s found out, he comes back and saves the day. The animation was impressive, but the characters were so ugly and creepy that I didn’t enjoy seeing them in such realistic detail.
It was weird, too, how the movie was set in modern times, but Rango finds himself in an old-west town where the odd creatures dress like humans from the 1800s. My main problem with the movie was the content, though. There was offensive language throughout and several suggestive comments. There was also some weird spirituality that initially seemed to be mocking Christianity, but I’m not going to even attempt to explain it, because I didn’t understand what part it had in the “plot.”
There was quite a bit of violence including dead animals and graphic talk. After the movie ended, the kids commented that the movie should not have been PG. I agree. Rango seemed like an attempt to close the gap between what is appropriate for kids and what isn’t. Don’t support it.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
First of all, I was completely bored through the whole movie. Granted, I’m a bit older than the intended audience, but I usually really enjoy well-made animated kids' films. The plot was slow and predictable. Misfit, others believe he’s something he’s not, he’s found out, he comes back and saves the day. The animation was impressive, but the characters were so ugly and creepy that I didn’t enjoy seeing them in such realistic detail.
It was weird, too, how the movie was set in modern times, but Rango finds himself in an old-west town where the odd creatures dress like humans from the 1800s. My main problem with the movie was the content, though. There was offensive language throughout and several suggestive comments. There was also some weird spirituality that initially seemed to be mocking Christianity, but I’m not going to even attempt to explain it, because I didn’t understand what part it had in the “plot.”
There was quite a bit of violence including dead animals and graphic talk. After the movie ended, the kids commented that the movie should not have been PG. I agree. Rango seemed like an attempt to close the gap between what is appropriate for kids and what isn’t. Don’t support it.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
Shelly, age 38 (USA)
Negative—Very disappointing movie. I took my 3 year old daughter to see this, and I ended up making the first complaint of my life to a theatre. Visually, it is great. However, the plot and characters were weird, and the movie was just plain uninteresting. I cringed the entire movie, and now I am just waiting for my 3 year old to drop the new 4 letter word “bombs” that she has just learned. This movie is not worth the popcorn. Buyer beware. This is not a kids movie and probably could have had a PG-13 rating due to many 4 letter words and sexual references.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2½
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2½
David, age 34 (USA)
Negative—I am among those who wish I had checked reviews before taking my family to see “Rango.” My daughters, 4 and 7, and their dad had been looking forward to seeing this, so we went on opening day. I regret taking my children to see this movie. This movie is being marketed towards kids, but, in reality, it’s meant for teenagers and adults. The subject matter is very dark, with murder, extreme thirst, dying crops, a dying town, greed, lying, and dead animals being featured throughout.
The animation is amazing, but it actually started to work against the movie, as many of the characters were so ugly and frightening that the excellent animation made them difficult to watch. We got to see details down to the food stuck in their green, slimy teeth. Many of the characters were grotesque, and I found myself looking away at times. The storyline is predictable and drags in several places. My 4 year old was bored and almost falling asleep (thankfully). See all »
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
The animation is amazing, but it actually started to work against the movie, as many of the characters were so ugly and frightening that the excellent animation made them difficult to watch. We got to see details down to the food stuck in their green, slimy teeth. Many of the characters were grotesque, and I found myself looking away at times. The storyline is predictable and drags in several places. My 4 year old was bored and almost falling asleep (thankfully). See all »
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Tonia, age 41 (USA)
Negative—I am so upset I spent over $50 to take my family and one of my daughters friends to this film today. What is worst is my daughter (15) looked on this site before we went and told me it had “potty humor.” My children are 13 and 15, so most of the time we acknowledge what is against God and enjoy what should have been the rest of an enjoyable film. We love Johnny Depp and thought it would be a winner if he was involved. I thought this was the worst movie ever!
A man with a very young son sat next to us and cried at various parts and the father stayed till the end!! From the get go, I should have realized what a dud—Barbie top with no clothes—Rango pretending she “the barbie” is making sexual advances by placing her one arm on his knee—praying to a spirit god of the west—complete with amen's… and when it wasn’t irritating me, the movie was just plain boring. I am no film maker, but I know I could have written a better movie than this!! Save your money!!!
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2½
A man with a very young son sat next to us and cried at various parts and the father stayed till the end!! From the get go, I should have realized what a dud—Barbie top with no clothes—Rango pretending she “the barbie” is making sexual advances by placing her one arm on his knee—praying to a spirit god of the west—complete with amen's… and when it wasn’t irritating me, the movie was just plain boring. I am no film maker, but I know I could have written a better movie than this!! Save your money!!!
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2½
Susan, age 51 (USA)
Negative—We usually always check out this Web site prior to watching movies we are unaware of. With 5 children ranging from 17 to 11, we take the moral quality of movies very seriously. Assuming the PG rating was accurate, we even invited 2 other children to join us. What a HUGE disappointment. The language, the negativity, unkindness, and inappropriate situations and terminology almost caused us to leave the theater on a few occasions. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY on this movie.
We were able to have some very deep discussions about how the movie WAS NOT good/Godly/Biblical, and what we can learn from the immoral content in the movie—and how NOT to live.
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
We were able to have some very deep discussions about how the movie WAS NOT good/Godly/Biblical, and what we can learn from the immoral content in the movie—and how NOT to live.
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Laura, age 42 (USA)
Negative—I was disappointed with this film… I went thinking it was a “children's” movie… and to a small part it is, but I felt is wasn’t for young children. It had offensive words I didn’t think should have been in this movie… smoking… bar scene… violence… some scenes would be a little scary for small children. I should have gotten up and left with the 7 year old I was with (I have done that several times before)… but thought maybe it would get better. I felt they tried to take a kid’s movie and intertwine it for the adults. I wished I never went. There are scenes of the “bosom” part of a broken Barbie doll… sorry, but they could have used the head to make those “scenes” of the movie.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Robin, age 44 (USA)
Negative—This movie by Nickelodeon truly seemed to be yet another subversive attack on religion, specifically Christianity, with impressionable children as the target audience. The reptile hero stands as a non-believer’s version of Christ, a nobody coming from nowhere, who creates his identity, making it up as he goes along. The mayor tells him, “Everyone needs something to believe in, right now they believe in you”. The concept here is that faith is a good thing but has nothing to do with reality or truth. There are many uses of the word Hell, the most offensive being when a character tells the rattlesnake, who is a type of Satan, to go there. There is symbolic sexuality and drinking of “cactus juice”. Blasphemous prayers are offered to a “spirit of the west” and there is even a part where the beginning of the Lord’s prayer is spoken, for comedy’s sake. I would not have stayed until the end except that my children were not with me and I intended to leave a review on all that I saw. A Christian parent could in no case allow their young child to watch this in good conscience.
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Patrick, age 35 (USA)
Negative—Today is my daughters 13th birthday and we took her to see the movie “Rango.” This is my first ever movie review, and that is how much I detested this flick. Seriously, is this for kids? I wasn’t sure with the gazillionth use of the word “hell” as in “Where do you think I am from?” “That is where I am going to take you” and my personal fave “Go to __” What??? This is an audience of kids, out for a day of family entertainment.
How about the environmentalist message? Or was it a western? A comedy? Still not sure. The special effects were extremely impressive, but birds singing about ridding someone of their “cojones” just made me sort of sad. Not because I don’t have a sense of humor, but because…
a) we wasted two hours of our life
b) we wasted money
c) that our culture has become so comfortable with this type of stuff that perhaps the movie makers just don’t think anyone will mind?
Can’t we have humor without the language? So there you have it, my (rant) and review of what not to take your kids to see.
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
How about the environmentalist message? Or was it a western? A comedy? Still not sure. The special effects were extremely impressive, but birds singing about ridding someone of their “cojones” just made me sort of sad. Not because I don’t have a sense of humor, but because…
a) we wasted two hours of our life
b) we wasted money
c) that our culture has become so comfortable with this type of stuff that perhaps the movie makers just don’t think anyone will mind?
Can’t we have humor without the language? So there you have it, my (rant) and review of what not to take your kids to see.
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Christa, age 40 (USA)
Negative—I would just like to know if anyone notices how much Satan is trying to overtake “children’s” movies???… !!!… This was soooooo DARK, twisted and just sick at times. A snake who’s eyes looked demonic and told someone he would take her to h-e-double hockey sticks!! The word dam* was used as well. Sexual talk, violence, murder, lies, profanity, references to the pit, praying to a spirit and not God!!!… WAKE UP PEOPLE, Satan is trying to reach your children at an early age!! STAY AWAY and warn your family, friends and classmates!! We followers of JESUS really need to take a stand against evil and not let it reach the kids!! I am certain the Lord would HATE this movie, but he loves those who took part in it and see it. God bless you!!
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Sara, age 35 (USA)
Negative—I did not care for the movie, and here is why: I felt like one of the predominant messages was to distrust organized religion. The town mayor held a meeting every week when the townspeople got water. They lifted their empty bottles, shouted “Hallelujah!” And considered him somewhat of a “spiritual leader,” because he seemed to have all the answers. They trusted him. As it turns out, he was lying about the water. There was such reference to a spiritual journey in this film, and the message was (from the Clint Eastwood character, etc.) that it is all a bunch of bunko and smokescreens. It seemed like the message was that there are no real miracles, it is just a person’s luck, not God. ***SPOILER*** And, in the end, we find out that the mayor and the evil snake had been working together. The snake turned on the mayor and said “soon, people won’t even remember you ever existed!” ***END SPOILER***
I felt this movie has the potential to plant a seed in young viewers to associate religious leaders with the mayor (since they used so many religious buzz words with him) and possibly cause the kids to have a bad feeling about religion, and its leaders. And that they may feel silly and stupid for believing in a “fairy tale” like that, because the ending does not glorify God, but rather sums it all up that spirituality is a hoax.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
I felt this movie has the potential to plant a seed in young viewers to associate religious leaders with the mayor (since they used so many religious buzz words with him) and possibly cause the kids to have a bad feeling about religion, and its leaders. And that they may feel silly and stupid for believing in a “fairy tale” like that, because the ending does not glorify God, but rather sums it all up that spirituality is a hoax.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
Chelsi, age 45 (USA)
Negative—This is most definitely not a movie for children, but even as an adult I did not enjoy it. They use the word “hell” about every other word and other things as well. I went with my sister and aunt to carry my kids. When I realized how bad it was, I would have left then and asked for a refund, but my sister really wanted to see how it finished out. I continued to watch, but once I heard “sign the da-n papers, or I’ll send your sorry soul to he__…,” I immediately got my youngest child and walked out. One other family had already left.
There were many things brought into the movie concerning spiritual references or “hidden meanings”. The movie was all about a lack of water which we all know is life in the Bible. References were made to it as being their soul’s salvation. Rango was the hero to help bring salvation to their town. Jack the snake was like a serpent to defeat Rango or keep the water from the town. How similar is that to satan trying to keep us from God or salvation?! Jack the snake or “serpent” as I would call him is the one that made the final comment that caused me to leave. Not the movie to see if you ask me!
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
There were many things brought into the movie concerning spiritual references or “hidden meanings”. The movie was all about a lack of water which we all know is life in the Bible. References were made to it as being their soul’s salvation. Rango was the hero to help bring salvation to their town. Jack the snake was like a serpent to defeat Rango or keep the water from the town. How similar is that to satan trying to keep us from God or salvation?! Jack the snake or “serpent” as I would call him is the one that made the final comment that caused me to leave. Not the movie to see if you ask me!
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Melissa Cole, age 35 (USA)
Negative—First of all, I love animated features. I go to see most of them at the movies. I cannot express how much I disliked this film. It was so not funny or cute. It was very offensive and suggestive. I should have walked out, but thought it might redeem itself, but it didn’t.
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Mary Ann, age 59 (USA)
Negative—My husband and I took our 7 and 11-year old to see this since it was a PG movie. My 80-year old mother and my brother were visiting so they went along. The kids wanted to see it and the previews made it look funny. Some PG movies are fine, this should have been rated higher because of the language and violence. I cringed every time I heard language I knew my 7-year old would repeat for the shock value. After the movie, she came up to me and spelled out each “bad word” she had heard and how many times it had been used. My 11-year old was not impressed with it either.
The movie did end on a good note, with Rango saving his friends, but, for the most part, I would not recommend this movie. I have already warned other parents about the content.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
The movie did end on a good note, with Rango saving his friends, but, for the most part, I would not recommend this movie. I have already warned other parents about the content.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Lisa, age 47 (USA)
Negative—How do you subconsciously tell someone to despise individuals. Answer: you associate the target individual with negative connotations. The militaries of this world use this all the time. They call the Jews pigs, in order to attach that negative connotation to people of God. This movie is full of these attachments. Characters that have been identified as stupid, ugly looking and just plain turn your stomach are shown praying and doing activities associated with Christianity. Sexual content is overloaded in this movie. My fellow Christians, this movie turned my stomach. Pay close attention to subconscious content. Heavenly subjects and spiritual content is injected and connected to negative subjects. Go see this movie, but do not take people who are not strong christians, especially children. Learn to filter the underlying message. Do not see this movie without switching your mind from entertainment to analysis. May God open our spiritual minds.
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Charles, age 24 (USA)
Negative—This is not a film for children, but you know that from the other reviews. The potty humor is not near as bad in this film as compared with many other films. For an adult, having regard to the culture as it presently stands, there is nothing particularly offensive in this movie. What then do I have to add? I think the movie is boring and does not deserve your dollar. This is not Johnny Depp’s or Isla Fisher’s fault. Their work was excellent. What is wrong with this film is the script. It is as if someone wrote a very conventional, very film school, “classic” Western and then someone else decided to make the characters animals. In the whole length of this movie there is not one truly joyous moment. It is very flat. It is dead pan. It is so set on being cool and laid back, that it is a soporific. Give me Bugs Bunny any day. There is no frenetic energy. There is no simple joy in being alive. It is almost a comedy of manners set in a Western and then converted to an animation. But it fails as a comedy of manners—Miss Bean is not Jayne Mansfield and Rango is not Kenneth Moore—see “The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw” (1958).
The one thing that irked me was the praying to the Spirit of the West. It was not in reality occult, but it nevertheless has First Commandment issues attached to it in a film as low key as this one, as it might even be taken seriously by some. I would have given this film a 5, but for the script and but for the boringly dark and bleak portrayals. Is it really necessary for the film to take place in a town called—“Dirt”. But I guess it all goes back to the script.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
The one thing that irked me was the praying to the Spirit of the West. It was not in reality occult, but it nevertheless has First Commandment issues attached to it in a film as low key as this one, as it might even be taken seriously by some. I would have given this film a 5, but for the script and but for the boringly dark and bleak portrayals. Is it really necessary for the film to take place in a town called—“Dirt”. But I guess it all goes back to the script.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Blue, age 52 (Australia)
Negative—I have 4 fifteen year old boys I won’t take to this movie, because it’s so all over the map, random, and honestly, schizophrenic. There were so many weird occurrences in this movie, that, as I walked out at the end, I wasn’t sure what it was I had actually seen. It’s as though someone had a great idea, developed it for 15 minutes, then turned it over to a roomful of children to decide what to do with it. Actually, at least children would have done better.
When the bat riding zombie moles arrive to try to kill the hero, led by a grotesque “pa” figure with no eyes, bandaged head, nasty teeth and a nose looked, at best, like a gross geoduck, or at worse, well, obscene, that’s when my plane of hope began it’s descent. There were far too many closeups of this creature, along with the evil rattlesnake whose entire head filled the screen multiple times, fangs dripping.
There is so much more to say but I can’t muster spending one more minute on what has already been a humongous waste of time. I have to go clean my brain out. Word to the wise, miss this one, for your kid’s sake. This world already throws to much random weirdness at them as it is.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
When the bat riding zombie moles arrive to try to kill the hero, led by a grotesque “pa” figure with no eyes, bandaged head, nasty teeth and a nose looked, at best, like a gross geoduck, or at worse, well, obscene, that’s when my plane of hope began it’s descent. There were far too many closeups of this creature, along with the evil rattlesnake whose entire head filled the screen multiple times, fangs dripping.
There is so much more to say but I can’t muster spending one more minute on what has already been a humongous waste of time. I have to go clean my brain out. Word to the wise, miss this one, for your kid’s sake. This world already throws to much random weirdness at them as it is.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Brentster (Disappointed Dad), age 45 (USA)
Negative—I’ve only ever gotten the “deer in the headlights” look in theaters twice before. But, boy, did I have it for “Rango.” I went with my sister, who really enjoys Johnny Depp films, although I was hesitant, because I HAD read reviews for it.
Now, if I’m going to watch an animated film and enjoy it, these are my guidelines: minimal “potty” humor (none at all, is best), no sexual innuendo (or innuendo of other sorts), and a decent plot. From the perspective of one who’s seen almost all of Disney’s and Pixar’s animated films, this one sucked beyond belief. Although there is a plot in “Rango” (something like “High Noon” meets “The Country Bears Jamboree”), it is interspersed with religious mockery, queer movie references, language, and violence. See all »
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Now, if I’m going to watch an animated film and enjoy it, these are my guidelines: minimal “potty” humor (none at all, is best), no sexual innuendo (or innuendo of other sorts), and a decent plot. From the perspective of one who’s seen almost all of Disney’s and Pixar’s animated films, this one sucked beyond belief. Although there is a plot in “Rango” (something like “High Noon” meets “The Country Bears Jamboree”), it is interspersed with religious mockery, queer movie references, language, and violence. See all »
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Caitlin, age 22 (USA)
Negative—No one noticed the attempted suicide scene? Rango in a bout of depression after being discovered as a fraud purposefully walks across a road obviously hoping to be hit by the many cars zooming by. Is this a good message for children? I think not. I was upset that I took my nephew to this movie. I can’t stand Johnny Depp’s pretentious overrated a** anyway.
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Susan, age 42 (USA)
Negative—This movie was terribly disappointing, and it is now on the very small list of movies I have walked out on. For being rated PG, the movie is very dark and contains inappropriate comments of sexual nature from the very beginning, language such as the D-word or H-word, crude jokes and other moral issues such as lying and dishonesty. As some of the other reviewers have stated, I did not take the time to read a review before going to see the movie. They should be ashamed of rating “Rango” PG, the content was very intense for what is marketed as a kid’s movie. On top of that, the storyline fell apart about halfway through the movie and became utterly ridiculous. Overall, the movie makes you raise a brow and cough uncomfortably, finally pondering why you wasted your money and time.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Steve, age 20 (USA)
Negative—Terrible movie, not entertaining for adults or kids, and, most certainly, not suitable for kids! It was not fun to watch at all, hardly laughed at all, very dark and gloomy! I do not recommend this! Bad language and scary looking characters.
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Mom Of Two, age 40 (USA)
Negative—I painfully sat through all but the last 10 minutes of this film! At which point I took my family and left. The scary Rattlesnake scene where he says “D*mn Woman,” and she says “Go to hell” were the final straw! Had I known I could have gotten our money back, I would have left in the FIRST 10 minutes! A horribly in appropriate movie. By far the worst cartoon I have ever taking my family to see. I was blown away by all the language, inappropriate comments, the naked, decapitated, Barbie girlfriend… the list goes on and on. This was most definitely NOT a children’s” movie! I was disappointed to find other “Christian” sites online that found no fault with this movie. I wish I had checked this site before going to see it. Your critic was right on! First time I’ve ever taken my children to a PG movie and came away wishing I could erase the experience from their memories.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Marcia Boland, age 33 (USA)
Negative—I took my 6 year-old daughter to see this and I just shook my head throughout. I was unhappy that they inserted swear words and inappropriate references… in a children’s animated movie! After the movie, I overheard a group considering this movie, and I suggested they pass on it. My daughter said, “Oh, I really liked it.” Thankfully, those innuendos went over her head, and I don’t think she caught any of the swearing. But, honestly, how can someone make an animated movie geared toward children and families and think this is appropriate?
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Nicole, age 36 (USA)
Negative—I watched this at home and was so glad my only child is in his teens and that I did not have children in grade school to whom I would have to say “this is not a child’s movie.” The fact that Rango had to lie his way through killing 7 men with one bullet could have been a good lesson in how one lie begets another. But the single exchange that completely turned me off for children was when Bean (the female interest for Rango), while being crushed by the snake, told it to “Go to h—-” to which the snake replied, “That’s where I came from” (or something near that). It makes me wonder if the creators were seeing just how far they could push the envelope for an animated movie.
On the plus side, Johnny Depp’s vocal characterization for the title character was outstanding and very entertaining, and there were a few laughs between him and Bean.
But, as a Christian parent, I have to strongly recommend you keep your children from this movie. I realize I’m late with my review, but hopefully not too late for some of you. Remember, children are imitators. Garbage in, garbage out.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Prov. 22:6 KJV
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
On the plus side, Johnny Depp’s vocal characterization for the title character was outstanding and very entertaining, and there were a few laughs between him and Bean.
But, as a Christian parent, I have to strongly recommend you keep your children from this movie. I realize I’m late with my review, but hopefully not too late for some of you. Remember, children are imitators. Garbage in, garbage out.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Prov. 22:6 KJV
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Jeff Leslie, age 54 (USA)
Negative—Boring. They say “hell” many times and “damn” at least once. They smoke and shoot guns. Did I mention, boring. It is not the worst thing, of course, but I think there are much better ways to spend your time.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
TS, age 44
Negative—I am very sad to say that I even watched this movie, once I got home from the video store with it and found out out how much trash was actually in the movie. I felt like sending it back right then, but I had paid for it, so I thought I would watch. Well, DON’T WATCH .
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
Dr Peper Man, age 22 (USA)
Negative—Movies that are rated PG used to actually be pretty good, family friendly films that may just have a theme that would require some parental guidance. Seriously, the language, crude content, and violence in this earns it an R, in my book. A naked Barbie is one thing, if it is essential to the film. And I can see it fitting, given the storyline, but it was unnecessary to then drop in the crude comment in that scene. Animated stories have been known for years as being children’s stories! To have a movie masquerading as family-friendly, that is not, is offensive beyond belief! There were a lot of things in this movie that I don’t believe are suitable for adults, let alone teens or kids. I find the level of tolerance on this movie surprising. Since when do objectionable things become ok, just because someone is a teen or adult?
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 2
Amy, age 35 (USA)
Comments from young people
Neutral—This was definitely a disappointment to go to the movies and spend money on this. This movie was especially inappropriate for kids. The language was surprisingly bad. I would’ve thought that very little to no language would used, but, unfortunately, I wish that this movie would have been better. Although my friends liked it, I didn’t and wouldn’t recommend it for anyone.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
Christian, age 11 (USA)
Neutral—I had high expectations for “Rango,” but I’m not sure where the movie left me exactly when it comes to “like” or “dislike.” I lost count of how many times the word hell got used and a couple of d**ns, which were not needed whatsoever. I will admit that there were a few chuckle moments during the movie, but I thought it was bad when Rango got so full of himself that he autographed somebody’s Bible (which I thought was a bit interesting in the first place), without realizing it.
Another “joke” I found rather inappropriate to be in a family movie was when the word thespians gets misheard by a character who thinks what was said was, “lesbians.” The rest of the potty humor was no better than what you would find in a movie like “Shrek.” As for scary parts, there was a little girl in the theater who broke out crying when Jake the Snake came on the screen. Overall, I could only recommend the movie “Rango” to people my age and older.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Another “joke” I found rather inappropriate to be in a family movie was when the word thespians gets misheard by a character who thinks what was said was, “lesbians.” The rest of the potty humor was no better than what you would find in a movie like “Shrek.” As for scary parts, there was a little girl in the theater who broke out crying when Jake the Snake came on the screen. Overall, I could only recommend the movie “Rango” to people my age and older.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Emily, age 12 (USA)
Negative—When I got a chance to see this movie I was so excited. I realized I shouldn’t have gone to see it. First of all there was a unclothed Barbie doll, an armadillo used the b word, a snake said the d-word, hell was used as a cuss word and the snake told the sheriff that he was going to take him to hell with him. I was very disappointed in this movie. Don’t see it!
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 1½
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 1½
Tyler Hamilton, age 14 (USA)
Positive—I honestly don’t understand why everyone is saying this isn’t a movie for children. The jokes go right over their heads, and us older teenagers and adults get a kick out of them. The so called “cussing” was only “h*ll” (which was only used maybe 4 times), and “d*mn” (which was used once). If you’ve done a good job raising you children, like you’re suppose to, they would know that is not the kind of language they should use. And quite honestly, the entire world is not going to be censored. Your child is going to grow up hearing cuss words, if it’s from school, the movies, or even yourself. The difference is YOU need to be a parent and teach your children that, that language is unacceptable, and they should not use it. I thought the movie was great! I loved seeing the references. It was just a great movie, overall.
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
Cierra, age 16 (USA)
Negative—I understand all views, negative or positive views, for this movie. I enjoyed it because I found it very funny, but so disappointed at the fact that I thought when I rented it that it was an innocent children’s movie. They did not advertise this as a teens and adult audience and did not seem to be because it is animated and looks cute. I may be a teen, but I was most definitely offended by the standard of PG and that kids are watching this. There is tobacco, a sober reference, suicide thoughts (when he crosses the road), and lots of h*ll (as cussing words and the place), d*mn, and I believe a b*tch. Some characters showed evil and gave me negative feelings. The snake was evil, and when he licked the girl character, it really bothered me. The snake wanted to watch people die, but he ended up being “the good guy.”
Rango signed a Bible, which shows me the movie creators believe that the Bible as not Holy. I liked the movie but would like it so much more knowing little innocent minds are not watching the same animated movies! Only teens and adults watch and know it is only for your viewing, not the normal younger PG viewers. And as long as younger children are not watching it, then the movie is cute, funny, and a little strange, but good. Just be aware with letting your young children watch this.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Rango signed a Bible, which shows me the movie creators believe that the Bible as not Holy. I liked the movie but would like it so much more knowing little innocent minds are not watching the same animated movies! Only teens and adults watch and know it is only for your viewing, not the normal younger PG viewers. And as long as younger children are not watching it, then the movie is cute, funny, and a little strange, but good. Just be aware with letting your young children watch this.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Sara, age 16 (USA)
Positive—Now, for starters, I did love this film! …grand animation and a good script. An animation that we may not ever forget… But there was intense offensive material in here, especially for a PG-rated film, when it should have been PG-13-rated. There was coarse language: da** and hel*. Those words were said a dozen times, and I think I recall hearing a as* in there. There was countless violence. There is also a mention to gay people, so I think they are trying to make kids think gay is right, when gay is totally not clean, and is absolutely against the Bible.
I loved this film, but if the makers of it should have took all this intense swearing and action… And perhaps make it into a classic!…
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
I loved this film, but if the makers of it should have took all this intense swearing and action… And perhaps make it into a classic!…
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Andre, age 15 (Canada)
Negative—3 words: “Rango” is Stupid! It starts out where that dumb lizard is standing there in a cage, talking to himself, with a dead bug, a pool, and half a naked Barbie (top side). He says to half Barbie “wow, are those things for real!?” Rango lies and ends up being the sheriff. The settlers pray to the spirit of the west. There is new age content when Rango is on “the other side” to experience enlightenment, where he speaks to somebody (it was vague).
The plot was obvious; there were way too many clues on what would happen, and there were no cool events or humor. Most of my school mates would agree. Everyone went cause Johnny Depp was in it, and we all agreed it was dumber than dumb. Don’t even waste your money and rent the thing for 50 cents. This is probably the dumbest movie ever.
The stuff introduced to kids today is awful, and thank the lord my brother didn’t understand all the remarks the characters made (I’d list them now, but that would be a very long list).
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: ½
The plot was obvious; there were way too many clues on what would happen, and there were no cool events or humor. Most of my school mates would agree. Everyone went cause Johnny Depp was in it, and we all agreed it was dumber than dumb. Don’t even waste your money and rent the thing for 50 cents. This is probably the dumbest movie ever.
The stuff introduced to kids today is awful, and thank the lord my brother didn’t understand all the remarks the characters made (I’d list them now, but that would be a very long list).
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: ½
Sophie, age 13 (USA)
Negative—When I was going to watch this movie, I had the mentality that it may be a good movie. But as I was watching it, it seemed to get worse and worse. First and foremost, the continuous mentioning of “the spirit of the west” made me wonder why they would state that. But farther in the movie, when they prayed to “the spirit of the west,” I found that to be mocking God.
Secondly, they accentuated far to much how the characters appeared. They seemed either gaunt or just simply ugly, in my opinion. But what I found most offensive was the language. In saying this, I mean particularly the snake. When he first appeared in the movie, you could tell that he was certainly an evil character. Every time he spoke, he seemed to act satanic.
This being said, I found this to be very offensive. I understand that, of course, not all animated movies are supposed to be for younger children. But, regarding this, “Rango” was definitely one of those movies. God Bless.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Secondly, they accentuated far to much how the characters appeared. They seemed either gaunt or just simply ugly, in my opinion. But what I found most offensive was the language. In saying this, I mean particularly the snake. When he first appeared in the movie, you could tell that he was certainly an evil character. Every time he spoke, he seemed to act satanic.
This being said, I found this to be very offensive. I understand that, of course, not all animated movies are supposed to be for younger children. But, regarding this, “Rango” was definitely one of those movies. God Bless.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Jathan, age 12 (USA)
Negative—When I first saw “Rango” come out, I didn’t think it was interesting, but I watched a bit of it while my brother (9) was watching it. We were so offended; it wasn’t even funny. They said h_ll about 4 times and d_mn once. “Rango” also saw a Barbie (naked) and said “Are those for real?” Referring to you know what.
They also said a few things about men and areas that kids shouldn’t hear. I heard about adults taking their 3 year old to see this and was disgusted. This is not a movie for kids, at all. I honestly think it should of been rated 14+. The snake in the movie was too scary for younger kids, also, he told one of the characters “Stare into my eyes, so I can watch you die” which I found a little scary for younger kids.
My advice don’t waste your money and especially your innocent kids mind.
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
They also said a few things about men and areas that kids shouldn’t hear. I heard about adults taking their 3 year old to see this and was disgusted. This is not a movie for kids, at all. I honestly think it should of been rated 14+. The snake in the movie was too scary for younger kids, also, he told one of the characters “Stare into my eyes, so I can watch you die” which I found a little scary for younger kids.
My advice don’t waste your money and especially your innocent kids mind.
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Lyric, age 12 (Canada)
Negative—I turned this movie off after a while it was so offensive, I can’t even start. My advice to you don’t waste your time or money.
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: ½
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: ½
Sarah, age 11 (USA)
Comments from non-viewers
Negative—I just wanted to thank this Web site and the public who have warned me not to see this movie. My boys are 7 and 9, and my 7 year old is SO quick to pick up on everything! I feel blessed to have the warnings. To God be the glory and the one whom I want taking captive every thought of my children!
Kara, age 42
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4