Just in time for what would have been Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel’s 108th birthday, the creators of “Despicable Me”, Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda, brought one of Dr. Seuss’ favorite tales, “The Lorax,” to the big screen.
The March 2 release of the computer-animated comedy, musical and drama is the fourth feature presentation to be based on the work of the admired children’s author.
“The Lorax” was Illumination Entertainment’s first film to be shown in IMAX 3-D and the first film of the many Dr. Seuss books to be presented in 3-D.
It was an entertaining and charming film, filled with cuteness throughout.
The moral of the story, which was first published in 1971, is relevant in today’s society, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
Dr. Seuss was not afraid to have a serious message in his books, which was that we must care for our trees and the environment.
The help of the Lorax, his furry orange character with a noticeably large yellow mustache, speaks for the trees and opposes the ideas of the greedy Oncer-ler.
It begins with a young boy named Ted (voiced by Zac Efron), who pays tribute to his creator, Theodor Geisel. Ted lives in Thneed-Ville, a city sealed off from the outside world that is entirely made out of plastic with mechanical flowers and battery-operated trees.
The people of Thneed-Ville are satisfied with how things are run, especially since Aloysus O’Hare (Rob Riggie), creator of O’Hare Air, delivers fresh, clean oxygen in a bottle.
Ted is infatuated with Audrey (Taylor Swift), named after Dr. Seuss’ wife, who dreamed of seeing real live trees, just like the ones she has painted on the outside of her house.
Ted is on a mission to find a tree for Audrey, and his Grammy Nora (Betty White) helps him with instructions to track down the Oncer-ler (Ed Helms), the one who destroyed all the trees.
One thing that was changed in the film was the Oncer-ler’s face is never shown in the story’s illustrations or in the television series but in the film, the creators decided to give an identity to this money-hungry businessman.
Before the Oncer-ler gives a key to what will bring life to the trees, he begins with the story of what happened to all the truffula trees.
He explained to Ted that he arrived at a cheerful place with adorable bar-ba-loots, birds and singing fishes. He noticed the colorful truffula trees could be useful for his invention. He made a profit off a simple creation and contacted his relatives to help in his business.
That is where the orange creature, the Lorax (Danny Devito), comes onto the scene and pleads to the Oncer-ler to stop cutting down trees because he is doing harm to the environment.
The flashbacks of his story are interrupted by the present day story. Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax” has brilliant visuals throughout the film along with catchy songs that deliver important messages.
The Lorax’s frizzy fur and the trees’ wispiness in the forest must have been a challenge for the CGI artists, but it was nicely designed.
The Lorax proved to be a surprise achievement, as it has made $70 million opening weekend and claimed the No. 1 spot at the box office.
It is worth your $10. Not only is it a family movie, but it is a great moral story that all ages will understand.
I give it 8 out of 10.