3 1/2 stars
I think you'll love this pachyderm. On Horton's charms I must stand firm.
The animation's glorious; the message, near victorious.
It never gets too harsh or preachy. Parents and tykes will find this peachy.
And never does it leave behind the book that sprang from Seuss's mind.
It's longer than the book, that's so. But padded? Absolutely%u2026 no.
Here's just a glimpse at what ensues when Horton's life is touched by Whos.
Dear Horton's swimming in a pond when he hears a message from beyond.
Or rather, a sound comes from a speck and leaves our hero just a wreck.
He can't believe a tiny world could, by the wind, be tossed and swirled
(And possibly destroyed, alas). Then kindly Horton shows some class.
He overcomes his disbelief, and chases down the speck. In brief:
He saves the speck upon some clover. Now Whoville's far from being over!
But not every animal thinks it's true there's such a creature as a Who.
Among the disbelieving crew's a narrow-minded kangaroo.
She won't believe that there could be a universe of creatures wee.
"Can't see it? Then it can't be there." She turns her nose up in the air.
His neighbors turn against our boy. As for his speck: They must destroy!
The chase is on for Horton's flower while all the Whos in Whoville cower.
When Horton flees to save the Whos, then not a moment does he lose.
He and his speck go far and wide while danger lurks at every side.
The mayor of Whoville has a friend whose loyalty can know no end.
The two can't see each other. Still, they hear each other with clever skill.
Horton's always sweet and sunny. Sometimes the story's really funny.
It's fun to hear the tiny mayor and Horton talk. Well, when they dare.
The creatures of their equal size would think them mad. So they disguise
Their conversations, and hide the truth from friends and relations.
The show is fun and tender, too. Its message rings both clear and true.
All folks, regardless of their size, should be respected in all our eyes.
Small-mindedness is not the way. Our minds should open every day
To new ideas, it's very clear. Then maybe our ears a Who can hear.
Running time: 90 minutes.
Rated: G, with nothing offensive for anyone.
Voice stars: Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Isla Fisher, Amy Poehler, Jaime Pressly and Charles Osgood.
Directors: Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino.
Screenwriters: Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, based on the book by Dr. Seuss.