Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lots of shooting, fighting, blood in neo-Western misfire.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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One Ranger
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In ONE RANGER, Texas Ranger Alex Tyree (Thomas Jane) is tracking a thief (Gregory Zaragoza) across the desert, pausing only to take out three dangerous bank robbers who are trying to escape. One -- deadly terrorist and former IRA member Declan McBride (Dean Jagger) -- gets away. Before long, British Intelligence Agent Jennifer Smith (Dominique Tipper) shows up at Alex's door, ready to recruit him to help bring down McBride before he can execute his plan to use a dirty weapon to attack the United Kingdom. In London, Alex and Jennifer follow whatever leads they can dig up, while their agency contact, Geddes (John Malkovich), breathes down their necks. Their investigation leads them to many dangerous locales, as well as brushes with McBride's deadly right-hand man Oleg (Jess Liaudin), who takes special notice of Alex.
Is It Any Good?
This modern-day Western has good central characters, but they're stuck in a story that's both convoluted and ridiculous, with characters and exposition that fail to drive the action. Jane's Alex Tyree is, of course, the One Ranger, a title that might have been meant to evoke the Lone Ranger, but is also explained by an opening-titles prologue. Alex speaks in a polite, Sam Elliott-style gravelly grumble, wearing a mustache and crisp cowboy hat. Tipper's Jennifer is very different from Alex, but the movie allows the two to approach each other with professionalism and respect.
The quiet moments in which they ask each other questions only strengthen their bond; they have a lot in common despite their differences. But the story -- in which only two agents are sent after a dangerous terrorist -- is silly, and the movie has no sense of humor about it, nor any self-awareness. It also has little sense of the suspense of the chase, blandly crossing a talky, inert scene with a fight or a shoot-out, and then back again. One Ranger had promise, but instead it's merely old hat.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about One Ranger's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How does the movie use motifs and themes from the Western genre? How does it adapt them for the present day?
How does the movie showcase teamwork?
Did you notice any positive diverse representations? What about stereotypes?
How are drinking and smoking depicted? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 5, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : May 5, 2023
- Cast : Thomas Jane , Dominique Tipper , Dean Jagger , John Malkovich
- Director : Jesse V. Johnson
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : bloody violence, language throughout and brief sexual content
- Last updated : May 16, 2023
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