'Rango' has true grit; Damon makes a decent 'Adjustment'

Johnny Depp returns to his oddball comfort zone in "Rango," an animated Western that adults will definitely enjoy more than their kids.

In fact, "Rango" may not be appropriate for many young audiences. Parents should expect some soft cursing, onscreen violence, death, and grim humor that probably shouldn't be repeated on the playground.

The adult-skewing material is also a big reason why "Rango" succeeds as a genuinely effective Western. When it comes to the classic grit of the genre, this movie refuses to play soft.

Depp brings his natural charisma to the title character, an imaginative pet chameleon who, after a sudden highway accident, is thrown into the harsh, dry dessert where hawks and rattlesnakes roam. He soon meets philosophical road kill and morbid mariachi singers. Oh, and be sure to keep an eye out early for the "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" homage.

Rango soon stumbles across the barren critter town of Dirt, where his years of playing make-believe pay off. Rango touts himself as one mean hombre, which doesn't sit well with Rattlesnake Jake (Bill Nighy) or the town's water-hogging mayor (Ned Beatty, basically delivering the same performance as big bad Lotso in "Toy Story 3").

"Pirates of the Caribbean" director Gore Verbinski, working for the first time in animation, shows real adoration for the classic Western plot conventions. Clint Eastwood and Sergio Leone are clear inspirations, as are "High Noon," "Chinatown" and several other films. "Rango" is basically an assemblage of other movies, but the shootouts, chases and hard-boiled dialogue are all perfectly executed.

Depp, after slumming in December's "The Tourist," has returned to indulging his inner weirdo. Rango is a rambling, often incoherent little reptile, but Depp's performance makes the character immediately endearing. His boastful babbling is the root of the film's humor.

"Rango" is the first animated film from special effects house Industrial Light & Magic, and they've delivered a gorgeous, completely unique visual experience. This is definitely the first talking animal movie where nearly all the characters are dirty, grimy and often downright disgusting.

Those ugly supporting characters, teamed with some intense action and suggestive humor make "Rango" more of an adult-oriented experience. Sure, most of the dirtier jokes will fly over the heads of kids, but the onscreen violence here is probably a bit much for some tikes.

Regardless, "Rango" shouldn't be missed by anyone who still craves a good Western. Hollywood only dishes them out once or twice every couple of years.

"The Adjustment Bureau," meanwhile delivers another long-lost genre to theaters - the optimistic science-fiction adventure. For once, robots, aliens, nuclear war or zombies haven't yet decimated the planet. Matt Damon just needs to figure out why that guy from "Mad Men" keeps nosing into his love life.

Damon plays David Norris, an upstart politician who, after a crushing loss in a Senate race, meets an alluring ballet dancer (Emily Blunt). After a memorable first meeting, David tries to track the girl down, but a team of mysterious henchman keeps "adjusting" his path away from her.

These guys, which include "Mad Men's" John Slattery, Anthony Mackie and Terrence Stamp, have incredible power, with David witnessing them freezing time and wiping away people's memories. And if he keeps pursuing the girl, the Adjustment Bureau threatens to melt David's brain into a mashed potato.

So what is the Adjustment Bureau? That's too big of a spoiler to reveal here. Within the confines of the story, the explanation is good enough, if a bit silly. What works is the sparking chemistry between Damon and Blunt. Their first meeting is the highlight of the film, and each gooey reconnection is delivered with equal doses of romanticism.

First time director George Nolfi (a writer on "The Bourne Ultimatum") does a good job keeping the "The Adjustment Bureau" moving, and the clever chase sequences don't get bogged with unnecessary explosions or car-crashing. Nobody carries a gun either, a rarity even in children's movies these days (see "Rango").

And though the bad guys in "The Adjustment Bureau" are clearly being unreasonable with Damon's dating life, the movie doesn't leave us with a sour view on humanity. "The Adjustment Bureau," in some ways like "Rango," preaches the power of free will, and how good people (or chameleons) are capable of making right choices in the face of insurmountable odds.

As a bonus, both "Rango" and "The Adjustment Bureau" make good use of headwear.

Grades:

Rango: B+

The Adjustment Bureau: B

Ticket Stubs is sponsored by the Hayden Cinema 6 Theater. Visit www.haydencinema6.com for showtimes. Tyler Wilson can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.