Billy Tatum started his review by saying, "Directors Kyle Balda and Chris Renaud tackle the work of everyone’s favorite doctor. No, not Dr. Oz, but the one who had us introduced to the joys of anapaestic tetrameter as kids, long before we could pronounce the term." Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax" is an entertaining and preventive story that stays true to the spirit of Dr. Seuss while delivering a message that couldn't have been better told. With only a few handful of pages of source material to work on, it'd be ridiculous to work on the pages that the filmmakers had to tell the story out into a 94 minute film. Luckily, Renaud brings the writing team (Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio) behind 2010's hilarious "Despicable Me" to help tell The Lorax to today's children.
Less depressing than the book, but staying true to its spirit, the story starts with the Lorax warning everyone that the story is not exactly what we think. Ted, voiced by singer in the "High School Musical" trilogy, Zac Efron, is an intelligent 12-year-old in the town of Thneedville, riding through the streets on a sort of motorized bike. Tatum described, "His town is like a cartoon of a cartoon where nothing grows and everything is plastic, including plastic trees." The only thing real is his crush on an artist named Audrey, voiced by the hot Country/Hip-Hop singer Taylor Swift.
When he's told her dream of seeing a real tree, he becomes destined on a quest where he needs the help of his Grammy Norma, voiced by Sue Ann Nivens on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," Rose Nylund on "The Golden Girls" and Elka Ostrovsky on "Hot in Cleveland," the great Betty White. She tells him of a man who lives outside of town called the Once-Ler, voiced by Ed Helms (former correspondent on "The Daily Show"), who might be able to help. Ted successfully escapes the high metal walls that are around the city to find the Once-Ler. When he arrives, the mysterious man tells him his tale. In flashbacks, we see that the Once-Ler was once a bright young man who wanted to become the next best inventor of a product he invented called the Thneed. To get the right fabric, he had to ditch the forest animals that fastly loved him.
Released on Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel's birthday, "The Lorax" is not only perfectly done from a marketing view, but a well made film that pays tribute to Seuss' brains. It's a preventive story against danger on the environment because of man's non-stop greed isn't as dark as the book, but the story is just as suited despite including kids songs and the little bit of love interest.
Tatum said, "Renaud makes the characters just as cute and offbeat as in the book but isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty when showing the Once-Ler’s wreckless ambition, hubris and ultimate quest for redemption. The colorful Truffula trees which resemble giant pinwheels of cotton candy are enticing enough to eat, which makes their loss seem all the more tragic." Consequences are shown without scaring children, but seeing once happy Humming-fish get hit with sludge is enough to even scoff parents.
Tatum said, "The insertion of musical numbers seems a requisite for most animated features, especially in the post-Shrek era. Although they seem a little out of place here, the overall beauty of the animation makes it forgivable."
Danny DeVito as the Lorax who "speaks for the trees" and is introduced in a nice way, uses his voice despite not having superpowers (Remember, this book was made at least 20 years before Captain Planet). Tatum said, "DeVito hits all the right notes lecturing the Once-ler in a stern way that makes you miss real or surrogate grandparents." Rob Riggle as the evil O'Hare is one of the most likable cartoon villains in a long time. Tatum said, "From his inverted bowlcut to his use of twin sinister henchman, you almost feel bad for how he ends up."
Tatum goes on to say, "With 3D being a part of so much live-action, it’s ironic that animation is where it seems the most appropriate. CGI animated chase scenes such as when Ted evades O’Hare and his minions are what truly captures the heart-pounding effects of 3D. While The Lorax doesn’t match the 3D use of How to Train Your Dragon, it’s definitely worth springing for the extra cash."
"The Lorax" is a proof to how a cartoon movie could be done while saying a message that kids need to know. Tatum ended his review by saying, "While their older siblings (and parents) wait to line up for the newest iPad, kids can look at The Lorax and be reminded of what happens when “biggerism” gets out of control and how they can make a difference."
I know that people may not like this movie, but my siblings and I saw this one weekend morning and we all really loved it. I highly think everyone should see this movie, especially if you have children, because it has a message that is really needed. This is a great family movie, especially if you didn't like the live-action Dr. Seuss adaptations.
Check in next Friday for the last installment of "Jack Nicholson Month Part 2."
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