Horton Hears a Who
100 minutes
Directors: Jimmy Hayward, Steve Martino
Writers: Ken Daurio (screenplay), Dr. Seuss (book)
Steve Carrell, Jim Carey, Carol Burnett
'All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.'
-Arthur Scopenhauer
An elephant discovers that there is an entire world living on a piece of pollen. He goes on a journey to find a proper home for these tiny people, on top of a mountain. The mayor of the tiny world and the elephant communicate back and forth. They both tell everyone of this, and everyone seems to accuse them of being crazy lunatics.
This movie tells people to be bold and imaginative. Secondly, it shows the audience that authority figures don't always have your best interests at heart, which is similar to what Matt Groeing does in his cartoons.
The film (and the story itself) seems vaguely similar to a Norwegian play (1882) entitled: An Enemy of the People, by Henrik Ibsen (Steve McQueen's last film was based on this play, it never really saw the light of day). A scientist tells everyone there are dangerous chemicals seeping into the towns' baths, which are frequented mainly by tourists. Eventually the whole town turns on him, even though he is in the right.
The end is indeed, satisfying, positive, and noble minded. It's not preachy or pretentious in any way. Yet it still gets you thinking after watching this Dr Seuss story unfold. Cartoon family films of this caliper only come around every now and again. I am strongly recommending this movie.
Final Verdict: 96 out of 100 possible points.
