Apparently The Lone Ranger was a bust at the box office. The film was exceedingly expensive and over budget, but according to its star Johnny Depp and its director Gore Verbinski, some of the critics panned the movie before viewing the film – much like some reviewers never read the books they insult and bash.
http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/08/06/lone-ranger-johnny-depp-critics/
I attended a local theatre to see it on opening day. You might remember – or assumed – how excited I was to see it. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. Laughed out loud in a couple places all alone in my seat with only a few others at that 10 AM showing. Suffice it to say the movie was entertaining with some astounding special effects, some utter nonsense reminiscent of a couple gags in Pirates of the Caribbean II, Dead Man's Chest, and it was easy to tell from those trademark stunts that Gore Verbinski directed this film.
The strengths in this very different interpretation of an old black and white TV favorite were definitely the amazing stunts, many by the incredible horses used to play Silver. The training that went into those white Thoroughbreds (a very rare occurrence which makes it slightly difficult for me to believe they were in fact Thoroughbreds) deserves tremendous praise. Those steeds were magnificent.
The disappointments, which were honestly easy to ignore, were the emphases on the "stupid white man" and the brilliant Indian. The rich corporate railroad guy of course had to be evil to the core, and he needed to be shut down. The wimpy attorney (Armie Hammer) who became the Lone Ranger finally got past his sqeamish reactions to anything violent and realized he was going to have to avenge his brother's death since he was basically resurrected by the silver spirit horse. And, naturally, he needed the Indian, who also had a vendetta to resolve with the rich white guy, to help him set things right.
My personal feelings about the lack of success for this film touch on the reactions to remakes. Few seem to entice moviegoers to take a chance on them because of the fail factor. If viewers loved the original, they certainly don't want to be disappointed by an inferior version of a favorite movie.
You can only take so many liberties with "old favorites". Some people who remember this old series with fondness don't trust contemporary Hollywood hipsters revising the approach to the story and potentially making a mockery of a TV hero. Others who have no knowledge or memory of the character might not have put a high priority on a humorous western. Only time will tell how much of the many millions spent on this extravagant spectacle will be earned back.
The professionals blamed the critics, the critics blamed the hype insisting the film didn't live up to the spectacular trailers, but who really knows why so many stayed home from this fun adventurous movie?
Father, please cause these talented individuals to look to you for the magnificence that you are, that you've given, that embodies you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Into the Fire 
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