As children, we wondered if we are alone in this huge universe. Grown-ups, we still wonder, believing more or less that somewhere, light years away from our planet, a civilization might be confronting with our wonders, too. Cognitive dissonances or just complacency made us stop thinking further and the contemplation of other fellow civilizations limited to far, far away time and space, should wonders persisted. And if, by any chance, someone cried out loud that our society is not neighbored, but it actually shares the same planet with some other, the first reaction world be to disbelieve, dismiss and ridicule that idea.

Isn’t that so? That was the same reaction of cohabitants in the Jungle of Nool when they learn about elephant Horton’s claims that he has discovered another world, a microscopic one, on a dust speck. Who-ville is the coveted civilization that would diminish ours’ loneliness. However, once discovered, it’s refused to be believed in. Characters in the freshly launched animation “Horton Hears a Who!” haven’t been concerned actually to discover other civilizations, but their reactions are human and comprehensible.

It is without doubt the first translation of one of Dr. Seuss’ books into a successful story fit for the silver screen. Given the precedent set by flawed Ron Howard’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” or Bo Welch’s “The Cat in the Hat,” there was little expectation that the new production would rise to the grandeur of the book. Yet, produced by Blue Sky Studios, the guys that turned the story of a nut and a squirrel-rat into the huge-selling animation (“Ice Age”), Horton and the Whos’ adventures are unlikely to meet poor success.

Horton is an elephant whose ears are extremely talented. Apart from substituting modern objects, such as a bath cap, for example, they are very sensitive to noises imperceptible to others. It was Horton’s ears that discovered the tiny world hidden in the dust speck. Moreover, his soul is animated by a belief that becomes the leitmotif of the movie “A person’s a person, no matter how small” and it makes him to do anything to protect the little creatures.

Not only Horton is confronted with disbelief, though. The mayor of Who-ville desperately tries to persuade the other inhabitants of the city that they have a very strong ally whose name is Horton, who will take care of them. The Whos’ disbelief in his words is based on the same mistake that the Nool inhabitants make: they don’t see the other, hence they don’t exist.

The strength of the movie probably stems from the fact that it sticks to the book. No gimmick or diversion has been added to the plot of the 1954 classic, remaining with the simple, but witty original story. Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Geisel, is renowned for the full of wisdom political jokes and the present production not only that it doesn’t leave them out, but also augments their hilarity due to the computer-generated characters. Directors Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino make a go and include one additional character, sarcastic mouse Morton (Seth Rogen), a move that not only that brings no alteration to the general theme, but embellishes the story with ironic lines.
The adventures of Horton and the residents of Who-ville are enjoyable for both children and parents. The movie rings some bells for the latter, who certainly indulged themselves in Dr. Seuss’ writing in the early years of school. The elder will be pleasantly surprised to watch Horton imitate Henry Kissinger or John F. Kennedy, some of the best amusing moments of the production. Kids alike will derive pleasure from the lively characters and the funny jokes. The theme of the movie remains equally important for both categories of age, children and adults learning that the importance of a creature is oblivious of its size or origin, as Horton will highlight repeatedly “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

The innocence of the title character is charming. He makes considerable effort to protect Who-ville and its residents, based only on his principle upon a person and the ability to communicate with their mayor, despite the fact that he knows virtually nothing about them. Horton talks with himself, just like children do when they are outsiders of a group as a means of entertainment.

Moreover, his definition for the term ASAP is “Act swiftly, awesome pachyderm,” besides being extremely hilarious, suggests that his charisma stems from his ingenuity. His determination in protecting the Whos is pinpointed by his famous line: “I meant what I said, and I said what I meant, an elephant's faithful 100 percent.” Horton imagines that he is a ninja warrior (helped by his large ears), to be capable of facing the perils while ensuring the security for the microscopic civilization, depicting him as an eternal child, given the crave specific to children for becoming a superhero.

The celebrities that lend their voices to the characters fit as a glove. Famous comedy actor Jim Carrey, who at the age of 46 years is more of kid than an adult, brings Horton to life and he is capable to make Horton as genuine as possible. Steve Carell joins the crew as the Mayor of Who-ville, father of 96 daughters and one son and husband of a loyal wife.

The mean kangaroo is voiced by Carol Burnett, demanding punishment for Horton’s claims of hearing voices. The kangaroo is a mother and is afraid that Horton would set example of galloping imagination that would result in the children’s declination to obey the established rules. Horton is oblivious of the ruthless requests of the kangaroo and her pal, a foreign-accented buzzard (Will Arnett).

The 86-minute movie is released under the signature of Fox Animation and is rated G. Children, parents and grandparents are invited to become acquainted to a story created more than half a century ago, but which remains actual and equally charming due to the simple fantasy it depicts and, nevertheless the computer-generated animation that is so in fashion nowadays.

Movie Type: Kids/Family, Animation and Adaptation
MPAA Rating: G
Directed By: Jimmy Hayward, Steve Martino
Cast: Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, Seth Rogen, Will Arnett
Released: March 14th, 2008 (wide)