Rango is a Peak Western

I take a look at one of the greatest Western films ever made.
Music Used:
ZitronSound - Wild West
TeknoAXE - Digital Gunslinger
ZitronSound - Lonely Cowboy
Song: Aliaksei Yukhnevich - Deliverance (No Copyright Music)
Music provided by Tunetank.
Free Download: bit.ly/3gvnKss
Opening Theme - Red Dead Revolver OST
Thanks to Brewer Audio Productions for mixing the audio in this video!
Patreon - patreon.com/masonidk
Twitter - @idekmason0
Thanks for watching!

[@masonidk6571]

Thanks for getting another video to 1,000 views, everybody! I tip my hat to you all!

[@chipflake4145]

I’m so happy you made this video! Rango has been one of my favorite animated movies and I think it deserves so much recognition! Thanks xx

[@Smoke_wheat]

One legend to another

[@oscarguzman3017]

And now it has 10 times that 😁

[@Trombonebrudda]

@@oscarguzman3017 100k now*

[@nixable_gaming]

And now it has 65 times that

[@kingkrabbyinspace712]

Someone said "Before there was Death from Puss in Boots, there was Rattlesnake jake" and I 100% agree

[@bowserbreaker2515]

"Where do you think I came from?!"-Rattlesnake Jake "I'm death. Not metaphorically, not theoretically, not poetically, I'm death. Straight up."-Death

[@Jack574.]

Both are phenomenal in their own right, but they’re both very different from each other.

[@bowserbreaker2515]

@@Jack574. Yeah.

[@negative6442]

@@Jack574. They're very different but I'd argue they serve very similar narrative purposes

[@kbstudio8608]

That's classicman d who said that

[@cinemalover2009]

Rattle snake jake is a peak villian

[@vito6197]

He was Death before Death. Now that I think about it, Puss in PiP:tLW and Rango were going through some similar stuff.

[@TTHBLOX_]

"Where do you think i come from" CHILLS

[@Renzo_M314]

Played by the actor that played another peak villain, Davy Jones

[@Broken_robot1986]

Well that was the T-1000, maybe Anton Chigurh but it's okay I can see how you were confused.

[@bigred1502]

ONG

[@judet2992]

I figured out the weird ridges in Jake’s gun! HIS MINIGUN IS JUST STACKED REVOLVER DRUMS

[@syrusalder7795]

holy shit

[@JanMiguelBaltazar]

It’s weird how they didn’t just give him a classic gatling gun on his tail 🤔

[@Kekatronic]

@@JanMiguelBaltazar That wouldn't look very snakey, especially in animation

[@davitdavid7165]

​@JanMiguelBaltazar the gattling has a gravity fed magazine and needs to be hand-kranked. I dont know how that would work, honestly

[@eel5618]

​@@KekatronicAnd WAY less cool

[@amyleah08]

I want to point out something about the last part of the movie that I noticed in my most recent watch. Right before Rattlesnake Jake shows up, Rango says something to the effect of: "As long as that sign still hangs there," referring to the sign outside the sheriff's office, "we still have hope." Not a few seconds later, Jake shoots the sign and breaks one of the chains holding it up. The sign still stands even though it has quite a few new holes blown through it, showing that there is still hope for the town and for Rango.

[@Killerelephant02]

And then when he makes his triumphant return the sign is still hanging but just barely

[@friendformationbot]

ok

[@olekan1351]

There’s a lot of subtle hints like this throughout the movie. My favorite is when the mayor calls for Rattlesnake Jake and one of his goons says “He never leaves without taking a soul”. The only soul Rattlesnake Jake took before leaving, was the mayor’s (excluding a few bats).

[@amyleah08]

@@olekan1351 I didn't notice that! That's why I love movies like this, there is so much room for discussion and analysis!

[@Kooltomatoe]

I'm sure lots of people have noticed that - but I recall mentioning that in a video a couple of years ago delving into Rango. It stands as one of my favorite movies - the characters, the setting, the absolute limits they pushed in animation, I adore it. The sign being battered and broken, but still hanging, was one of my favorite pieces of symbolism in the movie for sure, because the moment of that happening is slightly comedic in tone in the very serious and soon to be dark moment, but still shows that they have hope.

[@Bam5000000]

"Try me" still gives me goosebumps

[@anthonycooke6835]

That line is cold and so good

[@thelordofthelostbraincells]

Rango walked through the valley of death (the highway) and became the hero the citizens of dirt needed.

[@PrismicAbstraction]

Rango crossed to the other side! He did die, but it was the old him! I love that subversion.

[@AlqhemyA]

The way Jake's eyes shift and he realizes Rango isn't bluffing this time is just perfect

[@mrsteamie4196]

Brooooo same. I'm surprised it hasn't been edited into one of those hard phonk things

[@yaxantonio3719]

I like the parallels between Rango. From how he looks in the climax to us not knowing his actual name and just calling him by a name he made up on the fly, he decided to pretend to be Rango, and in the climax he became rango

[@thescorchingpteranodon7986]

I agree with you, but I think the most photorealistic character is the red tail hawk, not Jake. Which makes sense since it is the only thing that Jake's afraid of.

[@tulliusexmisc2191]

It also sounds ther most real, partly thanks to hawk's cry being a common trope in Westerns.

[@WingedFish66]

​@@tulliusexmisc2191And for once, that screech is actually used correctly, since red-tailed hawks are the ones that make that sound, not eagles as is typically depicted in media

[@a-s-greig]

​@@WingedFish66 ... *_Tobias..._*

[@berdyie]

@@a-s-greig Found the Animorphs fan lol (I still remember this trivia because of it too)

[@Ce13stialBunny]

This movie released when I was 14. It is the reason that TO THIS DAY the western is my favorite genre of story. It’s phenomenal.

[@wes9802]

I loveeeee westerns, I used to not like walking in and seeing my dad watching one but eventually something just clicked and now they are my favorite

[@enigmaodell6806]

Have you listened to old radio shows?

[@shimaaalayie9965]

Yeaaaah I was 11

[@SirHugsalot13th]

"I tip my hat to you, one legend to another." That line still gets me, so many years later.

[@rjmartinez4800]

Rango is definitely on of my favorite animated films and definitely shows the Oscar’s that it is a medium for story telling not just for kids cuz rango straight try’s to kill himself in the scene before he meets the spirt of the west

[@ArthurX-eg8bc]

Jake with a scale-color version of Lee Van Cleef's moustache..... The movie is an absolute joy, and watching it with your children is a real opportunity to discuss society and our roles within it.

[@wareagle48]

I was just gonna say that. Angel Eyes

[@lou626]

Or coronel Mortimer! ​@@wareagle48

[@leonardowesselka4124]

"No man can walk out of his own story." ABSOLUTE CINEMA 🙌

[@marmyeater]

A little similarity I noticed between Rango and Jake: after the "Try me" Jake is stunned by how much someone he considered insignificant changed in so short a time, and over the last few minutes of the movie he goes from thinking Rango is insignificant, to someone that got the jump on him with some friends, to a fellow legend in his own right. They both quickly respond to the big changes in the world around them caused by each other.

[@Hashimoto101]

Such a genius idea to make him a chameleon, works on so many levels. Great vid again bro!

[@masonidk6571]

Thank you, brother!

[@jamespierce2223]

That “Try me” is so cold man he’s ready to throw down

[@blankadams3120]

The banjo coming in out of nowhere for Ride of the Valkyries always sends chills down my spine.

[@lightborn9071]

I too can simply agree that while this movie has it's own, unique style, it's also a solid western film with everything important included. But what I love most about it is the joy the actors had when filming.

[@imakedrawingmove]

This masterpiece of film is a lot like an old movie from the 80's that was called "The Three Amigos". It is about three actors, who are played by Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short who get drafted out of Hollywood and disguise themselves as heroes of the west. I recommend watching it as it represents the message Rango tries to tell.

[@bj.bruner]

I've only seen it once but I really enjoyed it. I still remember "I'm going to pump you so full of lead you'll have to use your dick as a pencil!" 😂

[@emanuelseibert3790]

I haven't watched the movie in english yet, but i think that another cool thing this movie has is the different accents. In latam spanish, there is characters with accents from all over hispanoamérica. And it is great because it really sells the diversity of the people found in Dirt.

[@emanuelseibert3790]

Also, Rattlesnake Jake with a rioplatense accent fucking slaps

[@savageantelope3306]

As a gen z Rango is one of my all time favourite movies period and one of my first real exposures to the western genre as a kid funny enough, so rlly cool to see Rango get this love, and as someone still searching for identity it still hits so good.

[@hybridvenom9]

I am also a gen Z

[@John_Smith_Dumfugg]

"It's not about YOU... It's about THEM..." It might sound funny, but this is the movie more than any other that drilled that sentiment into me, and it's why i rewatch it every so often.

[@Altair567]

"Hey Johnny, you wanna be a cowboy gecko?"

[@CobetcknnKolowski]

My favorite little detail is 7:51 where in the recording booth, you have the VA's actually acting their lines and it adds such a good touch of emotive force.

[@QuagFire101]

Rango is one of my all time favorite movies and I find it quite underrated, so I'm glad it's finally getting the attention it deserves after all this time!

[@nebulisnoobis102]

From one Legend to another.

[@Random_Dragon_Furry]

My dad is usually not a big fan of movies, and most of his favorite movies are westerns because they remind him of home. Rango is his favorite movie

[@andrewknudsen8913]

It feels like we’re in a major genre slump these days. Box office films are in decline. Marvel over-reached. Disney is a mess. What happened?

[@damnfk063]

Social justice ideology found it's way into the art and everyone is tired of being preached to. That's what happened

[@yellowbacon69]

Nothing, standards change and so will our expectations. Eventually we will get tired of super heroes and something else will come to replace it.

[@zucchini2339]

They made a fucking banging saga and then dished out movies without purpose or stakes. If everything is a world ending threat, nothing will be. They just got complicit and expected to make bank

[@stantrien8106]

Superhero movies have less than five years before they're as dead as westerns are. I give it less than two before they're at just one big film a year.

[@TheReddShinobi13]

They mostly never gave audiences a chance to breath, I love marvel movies, I don't hate them cause they are bad, I hate them because I'm exhausted by them and the people who make them are being worked sick because the executives care about money, not art and workers and watchers

[@mistertwister2000]

I always hope for a massive Western revival, movies like Tombstone, Rango, 3:10 to Yuma and even the Red Dead games make me yearn for a modern Western revival

[@quickgamingnerd]

I'm never really one that appreciates the more "grueling" aspects in movies: the purposeful dirtiness of the characters, the town being dusty, and over-realistic aspects of what's supposed to be just another animated movie. Nevertheless, all of those artistic choices end up assisting the story to the point that even if you only watch the movie once, you will never forget it. Whether it's remembering that Rango chose his name from a cactus bottle, or the famous line, "Try me," everyone who took part in creating this film left an impact on it as a whole. When I first watched the movie, I had no idea that it was a highly acclaimed film, and so because of the art, I sort of took it as a low budget animated film, then watching it a few more times revealed that everything in the movie was made purposefully, and that made it so much more enjoyable. Thanks for this video! It held information as well as a reminder of what to look for in a genuine good movie!

[@FabbrizioPlays]

It's so important to emphasize that "gritty realism" can be the right choice - when the choice is deliberate and informed! But frequent uncritical defaultness can make it simply seem like a bad choice broadly.

[@bullseye-]

Literally my top 3 animated films are 3. Rango 2. & 1. Spider-Verse movies. Rango is such an amazing movie and I'm glad that people are starting to really appreciate it so.

[@protastudios]

I firmly believe that Rango isn't only a great Western, but one of the best films of all time. Genuinely freaking great and immaculate in every single aspect of itself.

[@Spectrumelf]

I love the quirky sense of humor in this movie. This is a great quick dive into it! I hope more people watch it, it's very fun and unique.

[@HawkTeevs]

"NOW SIGN THE DAMN PAPERS" "Go to hell..." "Where do you think I come from?" One of the hardest lines I've ever heard from an animated villain. Rattlesnake Jake is such a cool character.

[@DivineKnight_115]

Funny that westerns are still alive and well and not only in film. We’ve still got dark country music, the western video games like red dead redemption, and new movies and tv series like the hateful 8 and Yellowstone.

[@gagelathrop7615]

“You ain’t got the nerve…” “Try me.” (Epic guitar strum) 🔥 Also jake has a mustache. Thank you

[@BoniMayne]

“My name is Rango Marston, I’m here for 2 men, Bill Williamson and Javier Esquela” -Rango Marston

[@cadencaptures]

I remember my first time watching this movie. The scene when roadkill says "beautiful isn't it?" And they both look at the desert. That is the greatest scene I've ever witnessed, it burned a passion and love for storytelling in me

[@pedroscoponi4905]

I never knew that's how the movie was made, that is genuinely awesome. Everything I learn about Rango just makes me like it even more...

[@md.tahseenraza4791]

"Go to hell ...(suffocating)" "WHERE DO YOU THINK I COME FROM?" That line still gives me chills...

[@cinemalover2009]

You make videos that deserve atleast a million views how are you this underatted

[@masonidk6571]

So nice of you to say! I'm just happy people like them!

[@granttoye5852]

More than a peak western, it's going too go down as one of the greatest modern/next generation westerns ever made.

[@iquemedia]

that OG Red Dead music was a perfect outro homie

[@rangopistacho6928]

thank you for reviewing my film but in all seriousness, this film is legendary, the animation holds up even today and the attention to detail was greatly well done, I wish films like rango were talked about more

[@bloodybee3553]

Jake's eyes shrinking when Rango says try me is just... chefs kiss

[@luna7157]

I love that you closed this on the instrumental version of Lo Chiamvano King used in Red Dead Revolver for the Xbox.

[@mepollack]

Despite the Oscar, I think this show doesn’t get enough credit. It’s an excellent watch and rewatch, which I’ve done several times. The animation is incredible and the story kinetic, but what makes this is the characters. I think you captured that well.

[@caspiangyarados9279]

this and Josh Keefe's video on Rango are possibly my two favourite video essays on cinema

[@WatPatat]

I've been advocating for this movie since release, like it's a cure for death. I love this movie so much and it's beautifully animated

[@MogoPrime]

the Read Dead theme as the bow on top at the end, euphoric. Thank you for inspiring me to go give Rango another watch.

[@milo_thatch_incarnate]

Fully agree with the title. I have been watching Rango since I was in my preteens, and I will NEVER get tired of it. It's brilliant, timelessly funny, excellently written, and really good-looking! (animation wise) Also, somehow, I have NEVER SEEN these _hilarious_ behind the scenes clips you pulled! It doesn't surprise me at all that the actors actually _acted_ the scenes, but it's SO FUNNY to watch!! XD Gore is the absolute BEST at "swashbucklers".

[@debbiemosley5615]

Such an important impressive video! From start to finish you covered it all from the genre of westerns of the early era to the animated more modern animated version- Rango. You gave all the reasons that it was more than a western cartoon from the director& actors to the music & also the story of the character as compared to the old time western characters & what made them heroes.

[@Drthiccems]

can i just say that outro was peak.

[@williamlanese5020]

This movie only gets better as you find out about the fan theory of this entire film being a hallucination of Raoul Duke from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. There is in fact a scene where he comes to after trippin and is wearing a green lizard tail👀. On top of that, both star Johnny as the lead and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is directly referenced in Rango when he is getting flung out of his cage on the highway.

[@Quincy_Morris]

Morality is realistic. It’s gritty grimdark that makes no sense.

[@Frozenkoldfury]

It says a whole lot about how stellar this film is that the fear in Jake's eyes when Rango says "Try Me" feels genuine. They managed to make a Snake - a cold blooded Predator that could swallow a chameleon whole - look genuinely afraid for his life. And this is a character who looked like an actual Demon in his first appearance.

[@PrismicAbstraction]

God, I really need to use Rango for an art study! The colors and shapes are marvelous! I loved this movie as a kid, even if I was scared half the time. It's truly a timeless piece. I need to watch it again ❤

[@SnobbyBird_]

As a gen z, rango, rdr2, and a less known western called Purgatory are some of my all time favorite pieces of fiction.

[@jacintaeustaquia]

Not only the analysis of this video is genious ,even the ending is perfect. Straight foward, only a legendary scene with a mythical soundtrack, and cut. *Tips hat*

[@khira888]

Rango is an amazing movie that has such a special place in my heart thanks to all the memories I had of watching it with my brother. I think the movie is highly underrated and deserves so much praise. Johnny Depp killed the role of being an eccentric little lizard with a head bigger than his own body at the start of the movie but he also portrayed the famous saying "fake it till you make it" and ends up becoming quite the REAL Sherrif! I didn't really know the full origin of Westerns or Spagetti Westerns until now and it's quite interesting. I like how informative you can be in such a short amount of time. Not only that but WOW I had no idea the actors filmed their scenes in real life in order to give that footage and imagry to the animators; that's absolutely fascinating! What a treat to have seen you add the scenes of the actors doing their roles before it was animated to your video - thank you. The visualization and cinematography of Rango are truly stunning and that's what always draws me back to the movie time and time again besides the comedic acting and subtle dark elements.

[@dr.kineilwicks7002]

So that makes two animated movies I love that had the full cast in the same room (first being Surf's Up). What hits me is that I don't think I've seen this movie since I saw it in theaters, and yet so much of it still sticks in my head--the music, the lines, the big scenes...this is honestly a really excellent movie and it's visually iconic as well.

[@oblonghas]

“Emotion capture” what a cool idea

[@Kusanagikaiser999]

Man I need to re-watch this film is been a while, and just watching the clips and hearing your essay on how awesome this film is, makes me wanted to watch it again.

[@foulasign]

My recommendations are perfect... high-quality small channel content... it's just so beautiful 🥺

[@Veledeen]

don't let this amazing piece of a video essay distract you from the fact that a crazy old man riding a golf cart had an honest heart-to-heart conversation with a chameleon wearing cowboy clothes

[@illiardbilliard2355]

Deadass the only Western movie I've seen, and I think it's the only one I need to see.

[@a-s-greig]

(The old 3:10 to Yuma as well)

[@HEKVT]

There's just something interesting about these forgotten and underappreciated movies making the hardest villains with the most baller scenes. It's kind of fresh going back to them after today's state of cinema.

[@abucket14]

This is a great example of condensing down what could have been an hour long diatribe about rango into a bite sized piece that catches the core of a movies identity. I tip my hat to you

[@depressedpancake]

TO BE HONEST. this is a very VERY good analysis. made me think in a way I hadn't. gave that food for thought that'll leave me chompin for more. you sir earned a subscribe

[@sakkakitty556]

I love your movie essays.

[@PenumbranWolf]

Rattlesnake Jake is probably one of the most perfect character designs I have ever seen.

[@nonenone2173]

I love the fact of The Spirit of The West, based off of The Man With No Name/Clint Eastwood, is played by a modern cowboy actor, Timothy Olyphant from Justified.

[@harveyanimations8974]

that little nod of respect from rattlesnake jake is my fav bit

[@vanzzyyyy]

Your channel is so underrated, you put so much time and effort into every video you make, please keep making more like this

[@zoeysavino709]

This movie was a banger! It is also one of my fave westerns out there. This is my second favorite Oscar winning animated film behind Happy Feet! I'm so glad about your thoughts on this movie, Rango is an outstanding western film! Edit: Oh yeah, and there was also an extended scene that was cut from the movie, but in my opinion, they should habe kept it. So basically after the water got into the town. Dirt changed into a full water resort. Meanwhile, Rango hears that Bad Bill is on the move again and should protect the west. So he rode out into the so called "sunset shot" and gave his epic speech on a roadrunner. What an epic finale ❤❤❤

[@Dovakin732]

Rango is another level to me its really really nostalgic and very very motivational, this is one of the best movies i have seen

[@szarmywarmy]

Rango isn't a peak western, it's peak cinema. Peak entertainment. Literally one of my favorite movies of all time, from childhood all the way up until now.

[@ShadowWolfRising]

Saw this in theaters and was like "Man, that was a good ass movie, I'm genuinely impressed with how they handled that.". Watched it again years later and went "Man, My first impression was right, if anything I am even more impressed by now with what they accomplished with this film making wise.". Like for real, this is a superbly made movie.

[@ameliegifford1477]

I watched this in cinemas (was like 6...?) and it still feels like a fever dream. I think I enjoyed it at the time, but all I remember is that it's lowkey bizzare and weird

[@kingtexan6621]

I absolutely love this movie 🎥

[@tobythegamer3663]

This guys got red dead revolver music at the end, absolutely awesome

[@GreyKingZero]

As an american I will never forget the legends of the west. These stories are amazing and Rango was amazing.

[@LueLucifer]

Rango is a masterpiece.

[@ChestersonJack]

2:46 Something bittersweet in seeing him in a Gonzo shirt, considering how close he was with HST and how aspects of the Hawaiian shirt costume Rango wears is inspired by his Raoul Duke portrayal (itself taken from HST’s wardrobe).

[@TERFStomper]

This film is a masterpiece. it simulataneously satirizes and exults the western genre.

[@masonbohr35]

I loved watching high noon when I was younger and still listen to the song.

[@dontsubcribedontlike673]

I'd really be interested a longer analysis of Rattlesnake Jake's character, you pointed out some things I didn't realize even after watching the movie a dozen times (such as Jake being the only photo-realistic animal in the movie instead of a creative interpretation like the rest), You seem to have a really solid grasp of the western genre and I'd be interested in your knowledge of Western antagonists and what makes them stand out, because like you said, Jake's six minutes were by far the most memorable six minutes in the movie. anyway here's a like and comment for the algo. good luck getting the subs you deserve.

[@NOVRClips]

okay ill watch rango again

[@khajiitimanus7432]

3:47 Furthermore, "emotion" capture probably helped save a lot of budgeting that might've gone towards costume and makeup design. Looks like folks just showed up, had a great time modeling as reference, and then went home. Obviously a bit more nuanced, but yeah - probably saved a fair bit. 7:17 Would that be a Chekov's Gun or a Sword of Damocles? 7:52 I remembered that Johnny Depp voiced Rango, but I forgot that Bill Nighy voiced Jake! Neat.

[@AbrasiousProductions]

this was actually my introduction to western cinema❤

[@leosif8654]

Rattle snake Jake, Death from puss in boots, Azula from atla. All these villains were never made into jokes. They are always a terrifying presence on scene and we're always a threat. We need more of these villains.

[@joaqu7002]

Ending with the red dead revolver theme is a fun addition

[@monotonous6195]

May I remind everyone that this level of detail was in 2010s by the way. We currently got movies with spaghetti leg cgi a decade after this release.

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

I watched this film when I was almost 14 , ten years later it still makes me happy when someone talks about it.b

[@theworldsgreatestjidiot9667]

I always loved how the spirit of the west was based off of Clint Eastwood and not someone like John Wayne because The man with no name was really the true spirit of the west.

[@Lowco5]

My dad was, and made me, a huge western fan. The big country, The searchers, Pale rider and such. When Rango came out we just couldn't believe what we were seeing, it is awesome and captures the western spirit amazingly..

[@_Bloom_307]

I’m ngl, this is my favorite Animated Movie

[@ImmortalLemon]

Rango is my number 1 favorite movie of all time. And it’s influenced a lot of my own writing

[@emlynekrmr]

I will watch every video essay on this masterpiece for as long as they’re being made u til the day I die. Well done, sir!

[@oscarguzman3017]

What a great commentary to keep a short video length. I've never seen a short one with such high quality.

[@TomFynn]

"but the lizard? He's going to die."