Our favorite pachyderm protagonist means what he says and said what he meant: “An elephant is faithful 100 percent.” But is the feature film adaptation of his kid lit masterpiece as faultlessly faithful to its 1954 source?
Heck no. But, then, how could it be?
At least “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!” comes much closer to capturing that singular Seussian vibe than Hollywood’s two previous attempts. The stilted live action “Grinch” and “Cat in the Hat” failed utterly at translating the minimalist genius of the good doctor, aka Theodore Geisel, into big-screen spectacle.
This time, the thoughtful use of CGI animation in the artistic style of the original drawings makes the forced lengthening and obligatory modernizing of a simple storybook narrative less annoying. And, despite itself, this grand-scale production eventually manages to preserve the philosophical essence of the modest classic, which may be the most elegantly reductive meditation on life’s cosmic significance since the Greeks first pondered it.
Directed by Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino, the three-dimensional expansion of the book boasts some impressive vocal talent — which cuts both ways.
With Jim Carrey as the benevolent idealist elephant Horton, Seth Rogan as his sidekick mouse Morton, Steve Carell as the mayor of teeny-tiny Whoville, and Carol Burnett as the nihilist antagonist Kangaroo, the cast covers several generations of past and future comedic cool. But while these big name masters contribute perfect timing and funny attitude, their distinctly recognizable vocal personalities sometimes overshadow the characters’ motivations.
It offers a droll update for the grown-ups, for instance, when at one point Jim Carrey riffs into his Henry Kissinger impression. But would our sweetly innocent Horton do that? Where does pandering to some studio executive’s idea of “entertainment value” stop and allegiance to a profoundly pure little story begin?
Most people probably already remember that story.
Yes, indeed, Horton hears a Who. That Who (Carell), is the chief resident of a very small world contained on a very small speck, which rests atop the bloom of a hot pink clover. Even though Horton can’t see the Mayor or his realm, he feels responsible to help them get situated in a safe place. Horton willingly risks complete social alienation for his principles in the face of the hostility of the cynical Kangaroo and the jungle mob she whips up to oppose his blind faith in the unknowable. It’s a fable of compassion, morality, and belief within a metaphor about our humble place on this giant, whirling planet.
“A person is a person, no matter how small,” the movie reminds us. And by doing that through charming — still clearly Seussian — cartoon imagery and ultimately heartfelt characterizations, this version of “Horton Hears a Who!” will do.
