** MILD SPOILERS **
The movie starts with the setting in 1933, when a young boy goes to the carnival and meets a much older Tonto who over the course of the movie retells the legend of the masked man known as the "Lone Ranger" The movie chronicles the development and origin of Attorney John Reid and his journey to the Lone Ranger I grew to love.
While most would classify this movie as a adventure western I would disagree saying it was more of a comedy/western with mild violence expect for one part which I believe makes this a film not for children under the age of 13. In this scene John Reid and his brothers are ambushed and one of them has his heart taken out (you do not see the act) but you know it happens. The movie has a nice pace, although three times throughout the movie there are flashbacks which I thought slowed the movie but also added a element of comedic genius.
What I liked:
Johnny Depp although the lead actor in this movie didn't have the same onscreen presence as you usually see him have. Tonto was in good taste and as the movie progressed you learned his origin the connection to the outlaws himself and Reid were pursing while also being that right hand man I loved from the television series.
Armie Hammer can not be faulted if this movie does fail. He wore the mask well living up to the legend even though some of the sequences with Tonto and Silver were a little far fetched. This backstory involving his brother and the challenges he faced as the youngest in the family I believe helped him easily be identified was the character. Hammer's performance can not be discounted.
What I didn't like:
Did I already mention the flashbacks? Yes they slowed the movie down, but I see why they were done. Also I believe that the character development of Hammer/The Lone Ranger should have been more of a focal point, less Depp more Hammer it seemed Depp shared almost every scene with Hammer when Depp should've been seen a little less. Some of the things the bullets or Silver could do were also a little bit of a stretch but it the movies.
Conclusion:
While like any movie it has plot holes, mistakes and good and bad parts overall it's a very good summer popcorn movie. The movie is not as bad as critics make it out to be and isn't superior but it's the Lone Ranger. It's fun, comedic at times and a movie I will see again.
3.75/5 stars