The $250 million production budget used for Disney’s recent release of the 1950s television show inspired movie, The Lone Ranger, was a box office failure after raking in only $48.9 million in the first week of showings, and after seeing it, that number is not a surprise.    The movie is based on the story of the crime fighting partners’ classy lawyer John Reid, portrayed by Armie Hammer and Comanche Native American Tonto, portrayed by Johnny Depp. The two join forces to “ride for justice” by hunting down Butch Cavendish, an outlaw who serves as the antagonist. Cavendish is the man responsible for the murder of Reid’s brother Dan, a Texas Ranger. This in itself is not inappropriate, but, it is inferred multiple times throughout the film that Cavendish is a cannibal. When killing Dan Reid he is seen cutting him and in the next scene there is blood on his face. Pretty gory for a kids’ film, Disney.

   Throughout the movie Tonto is depicted as a Comanche Indian, and yet when speaking he can formulate grammatically correct sentences. But when it comes to a situation that is supposed to be humorous, he can barely make one sentence. This is a shame that the pretense of “unintelligent Indians” is still a theme present in present day western movies.

   This movie is a miss for Disney. The attempt to convert a television show with this level of violence into a children’s movie is somewhat comical.

   When Tonto gives Reid the mask for the first time and explains that he is a spirit walker, or someone who has been to the “other side” and returned also Tonto tells Reid that he cannot die in battle, he also tells Reid that the mask is made out of his brother’s vest. The eye holes being where Dan was shot.

   Overall, Disney’s attempt on a Western film was a flop. The combination of gory jokes, the political incorrectness, and terrible script all led to the failure of this movie. Don’t waste your time or money.