Given his legacy in children's literature, one would think Dr. Seuss's stories would make similarly beloved movies. Oh the places they could have gone … rather than silly live-action duds like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Cat in the Hat. Dr. Seuss' short stories work far better as animated featurettes, such as the '70s era TV specials and the more recent Cat in the Hat series on PBS.

Illumination Entertainment at least got it right with 2008's Horton Hears a Who. The filmmakers understood the source material well enough to build on the story while remaining true to the theme and tone. Horton made for a charming, funny, and well-animated feature that even got some viewers thinking about faith vs. science—the nature of belief in things unseen.

Illumination returns to the Seuss library with The Lorax, one of his most memorable stories and stronger narratives. Surely this one would be a cinch to successfully adapt to the big screen? Not quite.

Danny Devito voices The Lorax

Danny Devito voices The Lorax

The Lorax is a cautionary tale that features a young boy visiting a mysterious recluse called The Once-ler, who tells the boy his woeful story of entrepreneurship, greed, and environmental waste. He once discovered a magnificent resource in Truffulas (fluffy, cottony palm trees) that led to his invention and production of multi-purpose garments called Thneeds. Enter The Lorax, a mysterious, fuzzy, mustached lump who sprouts from the first tree stump. He speaks for the trees and warns The Once-ler to stop exhausting the supply of Truffulas before it's too late. Given The Once-ler's later status and the barren landscape of his home, it's obvious he didn't listen.

Though this film stays (mostly) true to its simple roots, more was needed to make it feature length. The filmmakers have essentially interwoven a sequel with the original tale. Now the story begins in Thneedville, an isolated suburb of plastic homes and inflatable plants. A 12-year-old named Ted has a crush on a local girl named Audrey (both named in honor of Dr. Seuss—real name: Theodor Geisel—and his second wife). Audrey wants to see one of the real trees that she has somehow heard about. Desperate to impress, Ted hears of the Once-ler from his wacky Grammy Norma and sneaks out of town to learn what happened to the trees.

Zac Efron voices Ted

Zac Efron voices Ted

There's an antagonist in all this, but it's not the misguided, remorseful Once-ler. Looking like the twin brother of Edna Mode from The Incredibles, Mr. O'Hare is a diminutive, tough-talking corporate baddie who has conned the town into buying canned air from him. There's no way he's going to allow some kid to ruin his monopoly with an oxygen-producing plant.

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As you might imagine, The Lorax has generated some mild controversy over the years for its seemingly anti-corporate, pro-environment stance. Surely most can agree on the need to be good stewards of God's creation, and hopefully no industry actually wants pollution. Raising awareness to find a balance between capitalism and conservation is a worthy message. But this film goes a bit too far with its preachiness—not just Mr. O'Hare, but also implying people are dumb because they consume anything in a plastic bottle and offering a grating song like "How Bad Can I Be?" to shamelessly decry consumerism.

Similarly broad, generic characterizations undermine the movie. The kids, the villain, the wacky grandmother … everyone is a dull retread of a thinly developed character from at least a hundred other animated movies. Their motives and actions are predictable, culminating in an overblown chase sequence that seems more dutiful than necessary.

Taylor Swift voices Audrey

Taylor Swift voices Audrey

Things marginally improve when the film gets out of its own way to focus on the story of The Lorax, though even here things are padded with clichés. The green-gloved Once-ler is no longer mysterious here, revealed to be an enterprising young man looking for his way in the world. And given his rude and annoying family of hillbillies, grouches, and idiots, no wonder he left home looking for opportunity.

As for The Lorax himself, he doesn't seem quite as wise and imploring as in the book. Perhaps that starts with the miscasting of Danny Devito, whose gruff Jersey accent makes the character sound more like Oscar the Grouch than "the voice of the trees." And as the title character, he does very little—he doesn't even complain as much as he does in the book, hanging out with The Once-ler as if they were roommates from The Odd Couple.

Ed Helms voices the Once-ler

Ed Helms voices the Once-ler

What this film really needs is more heart and humor. But what should be touching instead falls flat. After the first tree is cut down, The Lorax and other animals in the forest hold a funeral for it. Oh Truffula tree, we hardly knew thee. And the attempt to infuse the film with humor are clumsy and derivative—it simply doesn't mesh well with its desire to be serious and important.

Still, younger viewers will generally be satisfied. The animation is high caliber, there are original songs, it's got some cute gags, and it tells its story well enough to entertain. But all these qualities are merely passable, not exceptional. You can't help but compare it to the high standard set by Pixar's Wall-E with its blend of heart, humor, animation, and environmental themes.

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Would Dr. Seuss be proud of this adaption? Hard to say. But you can bet the Lorax would approve: It's 100 percent recycled.

Talk About It

Discussion starters
  1. What is our responsibility in caring for the environment? Do our worldviews affect our outlook on this subject, whether you're a Creationist or a Darwinist? Why shouldn't man justify his consumption with "survival of the fittest"?
  2. Are corporations inherently evil? When does capitalism go too far? Do you feel this movie fairly portrays business?
  3. How can we ensure that we don't take our business practices too far and ruin our God given planet? What practical ways can you can help the environment?
  4. What does The Lorax mean when he tells The Once-ler, "A tree falls which way it leans. Be careful which way you lean"? How are we like trees?
  5. Why doesn't The Lorax do more to stop The Once-ler from deforestation? Why does he put all of his hope in The Once-ler's promise to stop? Explain the power of making and keeping a promise.

The Family Corner

For parents to consider

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is rated PG for brief mild language—so brief that I failed to catch the offending word(s) in question. There are some potentially scary scenes for younger viewers, such as the first time Ted goes outside his hometown looking for the Once-ler in the dark, desolate wasteland. Or the destruction of the Truffula tree forest, with the animals sadly evicted from their homes. Otherwise, it's very family-friendly.

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
Our Rating
2½ Stars - Fair
Average Rating
 
(22 user ratings)ADD YOURSHelp
Mpaa Rating
PG (for brief mild language)
Genre
Directed By
Chris Renaud, Kyle Balda
Run Time
1 hour 26 minutes
Cast
Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Danny DeVito
Theatre Release
March 02, 2012 by Universal Pictures
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