This is Devon --Action/Western/Comedy/Romance. Armie Hammer, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Wilkinson, Ruth Wilson, William Fichtner, James Badge Dale, Mason Cook. Director: Gore Verbinski.
It's "Hi-ho, Silver. Away!" for Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp, director and Oscar-nominated star of the Pirates Of The Caribbean saga, who reunite for this rootin' tootin' reinvention of the masked avenger.
The Lone Ranger began life as a radio series in the early 1930s and captured the imagination of listeners across America. The title character, who rode the plains searching for truth and justice in the company of his Native American sidekick, inspired a spin-off series then galloped from the big to the small screen as a long-running TV series starring Clayton Moore and John Hart.
Verbinski's lavish romp spares no expense in terms of spectacle, including two outrageous set pieces aboard moving trains that are a thrilling combination of old-fashioned stunt work and pyrotechnics. On the few occasions the film resorts to digital effects, the results are clumsy, like when the eponymous hero and his trusty steed leap on to the locomotive in a manner that defies gravity.
While the title of the film may be The Lone Ranger, this is Depp's show and once again, he is given carte blanche to conjure a quixotic, comic creation out of the ether. His Tonto lassoes all of the best lines and is involved in the most thrilling daredevil action.
A framing device set in 1933 San Francisco confirms his star billing. A Native American mannequin (Depp) magically comes to life in order to recount the story of the Lone Ranger to a wide-eyed boy (Mason Cook).
In hazy flashback, we join handsome lawyer John Reid (Armie Hammer) in 1869 Texas as he travels on the newly constructed railroad controlled by Latham Cole (Tom Wilkinson). Soon after, John is reunited with his brother, Texas Ranger Dan Reid (James Badge Dale), and pretty sister-in-law Rebecca (Ruth Wilson).
When outlaw Butch Cavendish (William Fichtner) escapes custody, Dan leads the search party and he reluctantly deputises John so they can spend quality time together.
Unfortunately, the chase ends in carnage and John wakes from a bullet wound to meet Tonto (Depp), a quixotic Commanche Native American, who also has good reason to want Cavendish dead.
The Commanche encourages John to find the hero within by donning a mask and together they hunt down the outlaw, taking a small yet important detour via the brothel run by no-nonsense madam Red Harrington (Helena Bonham Carter).
The Lone Ranger is an entertaining action adventure, distinguished by Depp's theatrics and Bojan Bazelli's stunning cinematography. The west has seldom looked so splendidly wild and rugged.
Unquestionably, the 149-minute running time will leave audiences feeling saddle-sore and the film noticeably drags its spurs in the middle section. However, when it comes to the action, Verbinski's film delivers at a canter.
Comedy/Action. Steve Coogan, Colm Meaney, Tim Key, Felicity Montagu, Simon Greenall. Director: Declan Lowney.
Aha! The long-awaited Alan Partridge movie is finally here. And it's textbook Partridge.
Alan's radio station, North Norfolk Digital, has been taken over by a big media company and renamed Shape. Part of their business plan for re-shaping their image involves sacking one of the older DJs. Alan manages to save his job, but when late-night DJ Pat Farrell is laid off instead he takes the news badly; then takes the station hostage at gunpoint.
With Pat refusing to talk to anyone but Alan, Norwich's most famous TV and radio presenter is called in by police to act as a negotiator, and the safety of everyone is in his hands.
Fans will be pleased to know that much-loved characters from the hit sitcom I'm Alan Partridge, including security guard Michael (Simon Greenall) and PA Lynn (Felicity Montagu), are by the DJ's side to help him through the chaos. Lynn really finds her own opportunity to shine as the events of the siege unfold.
Written by Coogan, Armando Ianucci, and brothers Neil and Rob Gibbons, the team behind Partridge TV series Mid Morning Matters, all the classic gags are there, set among a subtle satire of the action heist genre.
Being on the big screen hasn't changed Alan, he's as embarrassing and hilarious as ever as he tries to manipulate the situation to boost his career and seize his chance to return to the spotlight. Naturally the egotistical presenter can't help being distracted from trying to talk Pat round, joining him in broadcasting live from the siege. Why negotiate freeing some women when you can play some Neil Diamond, have a phone-in about bus drivers, or just watch funny videos on YouTube?
When Coogan isn't delivering punch lines, there's plenty of slapstick humour to tickle audiences – watch out for an unlikely use of a Portaloo and Partridge getting caught with his trousers down.
Alpha Papa is so packed with surprises for the discerning Partridge fan that to include spoilers would just seem churlish. The world premiere was held last month in Norwich, after thousands of fans signed an online petition supporting the campaign 'Anglia Square, not Leicester Square'. The decision to oblige says it all; this film is for the fans.
ALBERTINA LLOYD Reported by This is 2 hours ago.