Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Original Western-themed movie has guns and cultural clichés.
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Why Age 10+?
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Rango
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 211 parent reviews
Based on 217 kid reviews
Kids say that while the movie has impressive animation and humorous elements, it is filled with adult themes, including violence, strong language, and suggestive content, making it more suitable for older children and adults rather than young audiences. The film's unique storytelling and character development received praise, but many parents expressed concern over its appropriateness for younger viewers, arguing it should be rated PG-13 instead of PG due to the mature content.
- adult themes
- strong language
- impressive animation
- suitable for older audiences
- unique storytelling
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
RANGO (voiced by Johnny Depp) is a lonely pet chameleon with an active imagination. He fancies himself a swashbuckling hero and puts on "shows" with his companions: a headless Barbie, a dead insect, and a wind-up plastic fish. But when his owner's car makes a harsh turn, Rango's terrarium falls out onto the highway, leaving him utterly alone in the Mojave Desert. After following the advice of a sage armadillo, Rango comes across a female lizard named Beans (Isla Fisher), who takes him to her Old West hometown of Dirt, where water is such a scarce commodity that it's kept in a bank. Rango spins yarn after yarn about being a legendary bandit killer and manages to fell a killer hawk that terrorizes the town, so Dirt's mayor (Ned Beatty) names him sheriff. But when Rango unintentionally allows the town's water supply to be stolen, he must either find it or admit that he's just a pretender.
Is It Any Good?
With Rango, director Gore Verbinksi has made a unique animated film that's equal parts "mature" drama, old-school Western, and comedic adventure. This is exactly the kind of movie that proves Pixar isn't the only studio capable of making an animated film that grown-ups without kids would be eager to see. From the owls that act as the chorus to the gorgeously detailed set -- where the tumbleweeds and dust and desert sun seem as real as in any John Ford film -- Rango has a sweeping scope that's thrilling to see.
There's an intimately personal focus on its main character's development, which may be tough for most young kids to understand. Rango often wonders "who am I?," because underneath his charismatic persona lies a deeply lonely chameleon who just wants to call someplace home. The violence feels very realistic, and not all traits of old Westerns -- such as clichéd portrayals of Native Americans, Mexicans, and wheelchair users -- needed to be carried over into a modern movie. But for those who want an animated homage to the genre with a heavy dose of deep thoughts and good humor, this is a must-see film.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Rango's message about becoming who you want to be. How does Rango change from a wannabe hero to the real thing? Would you consider him a role model?
There are some pretty heavy themes in the film. Do you think that makes it too grown-up for younger kids? Who do you think the movie's target audience is?
How does the violence in this movie compare to others you've seen? Does it have more or less impact? Why?
Are the culture-based jokes and dialogue in Rango entertaining, or offensive? What makes a portrayal inclusive, and what makes it stereotypical?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 4, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : July 15, 2011
- Cast : Abigail Breslin , Alfred Molina , Isla Fisher , Johnny Depp
- Director : Gore Verbinski
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Wild Animals ) , Activism ( Civic engagement ) , Fantasy , Friendship , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , STEM ( Nature ) , Travel
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : rude humor, language, action and smoking
- Last updated : September 7, 2025
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