With apologies to Dr. Seuss, I can't resisit waxing poetic about the latest animated film version of his colorful children’s book, Horton Hears a Who! Ready? Okay, here goes:

Some people are large.

Some people are small.

But size, says Horton,

Shouldn’t count at all.

Horton, of course, happens to be an elephant -- and a very compassionate one. 

After hearing a cry coming from a speck floating by in the air, the shocked pachyderm discovers the tiny town of Who-ville located there. That's hard for others -- with smaller ears -- to believe. How could such a thing be true? Anyone spreading an idea this ridiculous must be crazy. Still, Horton knows he's right. Realizing he must do something to help, Horton embarks on a perilous journey to find a safe place for the endangered speck. 

Quite frankly, Horton’s humanitarian trek left me exhausted, and I had to take a long afternoon nap when I got home. In contrast, I suspect those enthusiastic tiny tots at the screening I attended were too stimulated by the movie to do the same. Case in point, while my husband and I waited in line to buy tickets, a group of young school children wearing creative “Horton” paraphernalia (big ears and trunk included) lined up to enter the bus for the trip back to their classroom. It seems a clever teacher had arranged for a special early showing. I can’t remember seeing a group of kiddies more excited about a field trip. No naps for them!   

Voiced appealingly by Jim Carrey (great also as The Grinch, another Dr. Seuss adaptation), Horton emerges as a lovable hero indeed. The movie's animators also deserve credit for bringing the beloved Seuss character to life in such a delightful and whimsical way. Those huge ears stand out -- better to hear the worried Who-ville Mayor (voiced by Steve Carell), naturally. But they also become a bathing cap or oars when needed. Watch your back, Dumbo. You have heavy competition here.  

Regarding the tiny world of Who-ville, it looks amazingly bizarre -- everything we see there, including objects and characters, comes in weird angles and shapes. Still, isn’t that what Dr. Seuss is all about visually? It took me a couple of scenes to get my Who-ville groove on, but once I settled in, I found it a fascinating place. My favorite Who-villers? The Mayor’s 96 daughters, who frolic without a care in the world after a surprising snowfall, and his sad-faced, seemingly unmotivated son.     

Without being too preachy, Horton Hears a Who! teaches youngsters about the value of unselfish concern for others and that every individual is important. Even the main villains of the piece, Kangaroo (voiced by Carol Burnett) and Vlad the Vulture (voiced hilariously by Will Arnett), end up with a bit of sweet redemption. 

BAD POETRY ALERT!

Sorry, dear reader. I feel more poetry coming on.

Some movies are good.

Some movies are bad.

But Horton, to me

Is totally rad.

(Released by 20^th Century Fox and rated “G” as suitable for all audiences.)