It's a genuinely good film that delivers more than one might expect. The fact that it didn’t originate from a major animation studio is something of a surprise, yet it still managed to achieve considerable quality and even win the Oscar for Best Animated Film. I missed it when it was first released, but seeing it now, I can say I enjoyed it quite a bit. The movie offers a respectful nod to classic westerns, presenting a story set in modern times within a small Nevada desert village where water has vanished, creating anxiety among residents who maintain the customs of earlier eras. Naturally, the characters are animals given human characteristics, and the central figure is an unnamed chameleon—often misidentified as a lizard—who, after arriving in town, takes on the name Rango and eventually becomes sheriff. In this role, he’ll have to confront bandits, safeguard the limited water resources, and uncover the reasons behind their disappearance. The narrative itself is quite fulfilling and possesses its own strengths. It doesn't lean too heavily into childishness or become exhausting for adult viewers; I felt it had enough substance to engage a broad spectrum of ages. Gore Verbinski directed the film, which maintains a very agreeable rhythm despite running longer than most animated features, which rarely surpass 90 minutes. Beyond the truly lovely and skillfully executed cinematography—featuring excellent lighting and color usage—the animation is exceptional, clearly visible in the intricate details of buildings, characters, and surroundings. The theme of water, and its significance, was a particularly astute choice, appearing increasingly pertinent given our current circumstances; one doesn't need to reside in a desert to understand the importance of drinking water. The musical score also warrants recognition for its appropriateness and quality, blending epic, western, and Latin-Mexican influences. Lastly, I’d like to acknowledge the caliber of the voice actors and their collaborative efforts: Johnny Depp performs admirably with his vocal delivery as the protagonist, and he also portrays another character using a different tone. Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Bill Nighy, Ned Beatty, and Alfred Molina all deliver strong performances here.

Source on TMDB