Rango is the story of a lonely chameleon who dreams of being a hero. Stuck inside the glass tank that is his home, he plays out make-believe stories of courage and adventure, in which he is the star. But when a freak accident strands him in the hostile Mojave Desert, he gets an unexpected chance to reinvent himself.

He names himself Rango, adopting a new identity as a wandering gunslinger from the legendary far west. But his new home, a town called Dirt, is facing a mysterious water crisis, and Rango will find himself tested to the limit.

This movie is a story about stories, and the deliberate referencing of this lends it a surreal and mythic feel. Above all else, however, it is a tribute to the western, and draws on many of the tropes of the genre, from the man with no name to the showdown at high noon. Likewise, it suffers from some of the flaws of the western, such as the scarcity of female characters, of whom there are only two; this movie is purely homage rather than critique. It also references several other classic movies, like the plot of Chinatown, the imagery of The Lord of the Rings, and the music of Apocalypse Now.

The animation is some of the most gorgeous I have ever seen: lavish, detailed, fluid. The fabulous cinematic direction gives us some iconic shots, making it a visual treat. And the cast does a great job of bringing their characters to life, including Johnny Depp as Rango, our wannabe hero; Isla Fisher as Beans, a tough-as-nails rancher; Ned Beatty as Tortoise John, the smooth-talking mayor; and Bill Nighy as Rattlesnake Jake, a malevolent outlaw.

Rango is an entertaining movie that should appeal to those who hold a nostalgia for the spirit of the west.