Film Guide

Horton Hears a Who! Is a movie length adaptation of Dr Suess’ book of the same name. Translating Dr. Seuss books into movie hasn’t been very successful to date, but the creative team behind Ice Age decided to have a go, doing what they do best, and turning it into an animated adventure.

The story centers around Horton, and oddball elephant who seems to have trouble being a grown up – which is rather scary as he also seems to be the school teacher to the local ‘kids’, a bunch of adorable, impressionable animals.

Yes, as you’d expect, Horton lives in the jungle.

One day after class Horton is wandering the jungle when he notices a speck of dust fly by that call out to him for help. Being the oddball elephant that he is, Horton decides to investigate this speck of dust call for help and along the way discovers that the speck of dust actually houses an entire civilisation of microscopic beings that will die if Horton doesn’t find a safe place to keep the speck of dust.

Of course, Horton can’t see the civilisation, he can only hear them. Consequently, the Mayor of this civilisation can’t see Horton, but can communicate with him. As luck would have it. No one else can hear either of them, so both the mayor and Horton are treated as delusional freaks by everyone around them, and ultimately have to put their lives on the line for what is essentially there belief in another dimension.

True to form of the Ice Age series and most Dr Suess books, Horton is a riot of laughs that will crack a smile on the face of just about everyone that sees this film, young and old.

It’s positive message, along with spectacular animation and first-rate voice talent combine to make Horton hears a Who? A can’t miss film for the school holidays.

Food for thought:
When you strip away the fun, wackiness of the movie, Horton Hears a Who! Has a great message about faith. About believing in something bigger than you, even though you can’t see it. It’s about recognising a plan and a purpose that extend beyond ourselves and the immediate world around us.

Reviewed by: Jonathan Read.
Rating: G.
Duration: 86 mins.
Genre: Adaptation, Animated, Kids.
Director: Jimmy Hayward & Steve Martino.
Actors: Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Isla Fisher, Jaime Pressly.
Distributor: Fox.
Release Date: Out now.