

Silly, smart and sweet are words I often associate with Dr Seuss’s works, and each of these attributes is wonderfully abundant in the big-screen adaptation of HORTON HEARS A WHO. The central character in each of Dr. Seuss’s works is the driving force, and HORTON is no different. The enormous pachyderm is one of the most likable children’s characters to hit the screen in quite some time, and is also incredibly goofy, honest and determined. Jim Carrey voices Horton, and despite some ad libbing at times, restrains from going overboard, and brings life and a lovable nature to the big guy. The rest of the high profile voice talent is also good. Steve Carrell’s unique voice is appropriately quirky as the Mayor of Whoville, and Carol Burnett provides a terrifically twisted voice performance as an overly skeptical Kangaroo mom. Not only is HORTON HEARS A WHO true to Seuss’s characters, it also remains true to its verse. In its own poetic way, such lines as “A meant what I said, and I said what I meant, an elephant’s faithful one-hundred percent” and “A person’s a person no matter how small”, are refreshing from a literally standpoint, but also lend this charming picture even more assistance. HORTON HEARS A WHO is a wonderful example of Seuss on-screen.
Grade: B+
Grade: B+