I think Rango succeeded both critically and at the box office because it successfully integrated a fully anthropomorphic animal cast (with a fair few animal traits at time) into a film that, yes, was clichéd and a tad predictable, but that's part of being a Western. It was "a movie lover's movie" - well-crafted, following traditions but adding a twist here and there - and it was rewarded for it. Few films can boast that they were responsible for the creation of an animation department as well as winning a whole bunch of awards. Heck, it even got a console tie-in - and while it suffers from brevity and replayability issues (rather like a movie), it apparently did its own thing and wasn't a disaster.
I don't know that crossie saw Wolf Children - he didn't comment on dronon's review. While it delves into furry themes, including the challenge we all face of whether to integrate into society or go live with/as an animal in the snowy forest (if you're going to do this, don't burn your house and your dog down), I could see it being dinged, like GotG, for the limited time the characters are actually on-screen as furrries. Certainly, some parts will appeal to therians, but even they may be unsatisfied at what is ultimately a film about family and coming-of-age over anything else.
I think Rango succeeded both critically and at the box office because it successfully integrated a fully anthropomorphic animal cast (with a fair few animal traits at time) into a film that, yes, was clichéd and a tad predictable, but that's part of being a Western. It was "a movie lover's movie" - well-crafted, following traditions but adding a twist here and there - and it was rewarded for it. Few films can boast that they were responsible for the creation of an animation department as well as winning a whole bunch of awards. Heck, it even got a console tie-in - and while it suffers from brevity and replayability issues (rather like a movie), it apparently did its own thing and wasn't a disaster.