Horton - and My Parent Company - Hear a Hooray

I'm a little late with this review, but a few weeks ago, my film class saw Horton Hears a Who. Even though I'm the one who selected it from Patricia's list, I felt a little uncertain: Jim Carrey is up there with Ben Stiller on the list of people I steadfastly avoid, and the last two Dr. Seuss movies reportedly were some of the worst flicks ever made. Much to my relief, this wasn't half-bad, although I wonder if I would have appreciated it a little more if I had children or had read the book as a kid.

Dr. Seuss fans, rejoice: A return to animation means a return to cinematic charm in this latest Theodor Geisel adaptation, Horton Hears a Who. Much of the joy comes from the folks at Blue Sky Studios (Ice Age), who depict the Jungle of Nool in IMAX-like splendor. From leaves and waterfalls to mottled wings to WhoSpace - nice News Corp. tie-in - the three-dimensional splendor nears the best of Pixar. (The REO Speedwagon chorus at the end echoes the worst of DreamWorks.)

Horton also gleans pleasure from two very different vocals: Carol Burnett as Kangaroo and, surprisingly, Jim Carrey as the earnest elephant Horton. Carrey was part of the 2000 live-action fiasco How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but here he exhibits childlike appeal, determined to protect the speck harboring the land of Whoville even when no one believes him. His eagerness most beguiles during a clever faux-anime sequence in which he imagines himself Whoville’s hero. In fleshing out Seuss’ book, screenwriters Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul amp up the political nature of Kangaroo - “That Horton is a menace! He has those kids using their imaginations!” - and Burnett delivers a most deliciously snooty busybody. (Alas, despite the punched-up script, Horton still drags a bit, even at 88 minutes.)

Steve Carell doesn’t fare as well as the overwhelmed Mayor of Whoville; his mania recalls 1990s-era Carrey. Between Horton and last year’s animal adventure Evan Almighty, it seems Carell should seek screen forgiveness - perhaps from the Almighty himself, Morgan Freeman.