The family blockbuster of the Easter season revolved around an elephant and the citizens of ‘Whoville’ in Dr. Seuss’s “Horton Hears a Who!”
It all begins in the jungle one early morning when Horton (Jim Carrey) is sitting in his bathtub, minding his own business, when all of a sudden, he hears a mysterious sound come from a speck on a flower. In that speck is the world of the Whos, who live in Whoville. When the mayor (Steve Carrell) becomes concerned with the strange happenings going on, he consults the council, who dismissively put him down.
Horton’s relentless efforts to prove he heard a voice from the speck gets him in trouble with Mother, the kangaroo, who abruptly tells Horton not to spread what is not real. This situation puts the Whos on the speck in danger of becoming nothing more. Together, Horton and the mayor collaborate to prove each other exists while at the same time surviving.
The fun-filled fantasy of Dr. Seuss’ is vividly portrayed in this quirky, off-the-wall children’s story. What is right and what is wrong is set up for all ages of imagination.
What’s so pleasant about this movie is that it really speaks to everyone. It covers what could be very political connotations in a world where politics are spoken through Darwinism and fantasy.
“A person is a person, no matter how small,” is a remark Horton makes throughout the film. This one remark has sparked enthusiasm in anti-abortionists, proclaiming it teaches children the value of life in the tiniest organisms, including the cells of an embryo.
But really, if you think this movie has the potential to spark a fire in the children of the world then you are mistakenly wrong. It will teach them life is precious, and that even the smallest animal – even an ant – is alive. It will not teach them to make a choice on whether or not to have a child, although it could encourage them to become better informed on the situation at such a young age.
And in the world of teenage pregnancy, where children are becoming mothers, maybe we should be showing this film to our 3- and 4-year olds to better inform them of their future.
Truly, “Horton Hears a Who!” was a wonderful little animated film that captured the attention and imagination of this critic without being politically motivated. Take your children and enjoy this family film for the spring.