By Jo Mixon
Hi Ho Silver Away… Angel Fire is in the House!
Late last summer Angel Fire opened its arms and hearts to the cast and crew on the Walt Disney filming of the “The Lone Ranger” starring Johnny Depp. Excitement filled our village when we were chosen as one of the areas for filming. (And a wise decision if you ask me!) Many of our locals, including my son, were hired to play extras in the movie and hundreds more were hired to do various other jobs. In short, for three fabulously fun filled weeks, we became Hollywood in the mountains! We were also privileged to host the final “Wrap Party” at the Angel Fire Country Club, even though the film left New Mexico for California for a few final scenes. With much anticipation, we waited calmly for the better part of a year until the movie to hit the box office. When it did, the Chamber sent out an email and invited the first 124 Angel Fireites who purchased tickets to fill the Storyteller Theater in Taos. Sold! In less than 24 hours we sold out the entire theater. A feat the manager Terry claimed is a first.
With every seat sold, many people arrived over an hour early. The excitement mounted. I can honestly say I have never been in a sold out theater where I knew every person there. It was a blast. Angel Fire rocked the theater!
After having viewed the movie, I think the critics are being extremely harsh! They have even contributed in causing people to choose other films this weekend. But if you look closely at the polls of moviegoers…86% have given it great reviews. Add the Angel Fire crowd last night and it’ll raise that percentage to 96%! Personally I thought Johnny Depp’s portrayal of the “Noble Savage” Tonto was extremely enjoyable! Armie Hammer was the perfect choice as the innocent baby-faced city slicker, turned Lone Ranger. Together they kept the entire theater laughing out loud! It’s not a documentary film. It’s based loosely on a comic book and truly has Johnny Depp stamped all over it. Personally I like his “spoofs.” This film has intense action, nonsensical humor, and as a pet lover, I even enjoyed the story of Tonto’s ridiculous crow headdress. (But don’t worry I won’t be wearing my beloved doggie on my head anytime soon!)
I loved seeing all of the New Mexico scenery in the film. The Palisades in Cimarron Canyon was the setting for one of the most action packed sequences in the entire movie. The cinematography was amazing. I recognized Shiprock, New Mexico, Canyon de Chelle with the White House ruins, a train crash here in Angel Fire on the road headed up to Valley of the Ute’s and much more. Plus we all applauded when we saw my nephew’s name in the credits!
The real test was listening to the chatter afterward, while standing in line in the women’s restroom. (No one wanted to leave his or her seats during the movie for even a moment) The collective positive reviews give this movie a THUMBS-UP from Angel Fire, New Mexico! I believe it was a hit. If you want a serious historically correct movie, the Lone Ranger may not be for you. But it was exactly the type of movie I expected to be enchanted by in the summertime! Thanks to Jerry Bruckheimer, Gore Verbinski, Walt Disney and the cast and crew of the Lone Ranger for spending time in New Mexico, especially Angel Fire and allowing us a part of the Lone Ranger adventure. Angel Fire loves the film industry. We invite you back anytime to our fabulously beautiful mountains!
Meanwhile…budda bump budda bump budda bump bump bump! Hi Ho Silver Away!
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