By Charly SHELTON

Wednesday saw the release of a great new action/adventure film. It stars Johnny Depp and a young actor (who could be a big star) in a film directed by Gore Verbinski, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. The film is a period piece – Johnny Depp is wearing weird make-up on his face and a long wig, playing a semi offbeat character and it is hopefully going to be a big summer hit picture.

Yes, our review of Rangers of the Carribbean … I mean Lone Pirate. Wait – “The Lone Ranger.” Yes, our review of “The Lone Ranger” is here.

Despite what looks like Disney trying to copy the template used for “Pirates of the Carribbean”’s success, the film is actually really well done.

Tonto (Johnny Depp) is an old man, recounting his tale of riding out west with the Lone Ranger (Armie Hammer), fighting for justice in a wild land where money speaks louder than law. Tonto and Kemosabe, as he calls the Lone Ranger, ride together to stop an outlaw and corrupt officials from pilfering the west of its resources, making them rich men and therefore unstoppable. John Reid, a Texas district attorney who doesn’t believe in violence, must become the Lone Ranger to stop them because law means nothing when you have silver on your side.

Luckily, the Lone Ranger has Silver, his horse, and his trusty sidekick to help him fight through and make the west safe yet again. The classic radio/TV show is rebooted and updated for a new generation, hopefully launching a new franchise for Disney and, most importantly, giving Frontierland at Disneyland some much needed attention and substance for possible improvements.

The film is great. I would rather see more Lone Ranger films than more Pirates films. It has a good story, although it does take forever for John Reid to finally commit to becoming the Lone Ranger. Hammer is perfect for the part, working very well with Depp as Tonto who, despite being quirky and funny, has left Jack Sparrow behind and crafted an entirely new character. And without giving away the surprise ending, the villain is great. He is a well-known actor who pulls off the evil baron character so well. And with glorified cameos by Helena Bonham Carter and Stephen Root, among others, the star power and acting chops of the supporting cast is just as good as the leads.

Hammer and Ruth Wilson, who plays his love interest, have both stated that they are signed on for at least two more films. Depp hasn’t signed as of yet, but the movie has only been out for a day. Once the box office report comes in and they see it didn’t flop, he will probably negotiate for the upcoming films. He has expressed interest in returning.

“I think it was a one-shot deal,” said Depp in an interview. “[But] if they started talking sequel on this, I’d be ready to go in a second.”

Don’t miss your chance to see the first in a new series of films on the big screen. You won’t be disappointed.

Rated PG-13, I give this film 5 out of 5 stars. And I know I will be seeing this again, complete in hat and mask, because no matter how old you get, you are never too old to play cowboy.