A classic is born when all the elements come together in a refreshing style. No film in the western animation genre has achieved this kind of status. Yet, director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) answers the challenge by bringing us Rango. This wickedly imaginative, entertaining and original film pays loving tribute to every western master, including John Ford and especially the “man with no name,” Clint Eastwood.

Ne’er do well chameleon Rango (the voice of Johnny Depp) aspires to be a tremendous actor. Stranded in the desert, he is directed to a small town called Dirt, where everyone seems most disinterested in him, until he starts spinning his tales of bravery. His account of the Jensen Brothers, whom he supposedly eliminated with a single bullet, captures the imagination of the townspeople. Much to his delight, Rango becomes the new sheriff. But this position also leads to his anxiety, for the people soon see him as their only hope for reversing a severe drought that has gripped the town’s water supply. Without this precious natural resource, the settlers have no livelihood and will be forced to find another home. More surprises await Rango, including a much-feared and respected serpent/outlaw called Rattlesnake Jake (Bill Nighy). Inevitably forced to rise to every challenge, Rango appears to be in way over his head.

As penned by John Logan (Gladiator), Rango comes at you with twenty six-shooters blasting. With its mercurial dialogue, state-of-the-art animation and wonderful assortment of characters, it provides the genre with a much-needed shake-up. Until now, we have had to content ourselves with An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991) and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002) -- among others -- for western fiction. However, Verbinski’s picture refuses to dumb down its gags or rely on them exclusively to achieve its goals.

The film also represents Verbinski’s first try at animation. He refuses to play it safe with the tone, while at the same time taking care not to mess it up. For example, if you thought snakes were scary, wait until you see Rattlesnake Jake. His serpentine presence is held back for the most part, thus heightening our anticipation. With a Gatling gun firmly tied to the end of his rattle, Jake’s first appearance proves to be a blast, both literally and metaphorically. He is among the many pleasures you will find in this tremendous work of computer generated art.

From start to finish, Gore Verbinski’s Rango makes a strong case for being the king of western animation -- no small thing indeed.

(Released by Paramount Pictures and rated “PG” for rude humor, language, action and smoking.)