THE LORAX
(PG)
MOVIE: *** (out of 5)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5)
STARRING
Danny DeVito as THE LORAX
Ed Helms as THE ONCE-LER
Zac Efron as TED
Taylor Swift as AUDREY
Betty White as GRAMMY NORMA
Rob Riggle as MR. O’HARE
Directed by: Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda
BY KEVIN CARR
Though it’s not a fantastic movie by far, “The Lorax” is one of the better theatrical adaptations of Dr. Seuss. Of course, the only real one-to-one comparison that can be made is with the superior “Horton Hears a Who” because these films actually embody the spirit of Dr. Seuss in the images. The live-action terrors known as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “The Cat in the Hat” are atrocities and should be stricken from our collective memory.
Expanding the charming and thought-provoking 70s-era children’s book far beyond what it ever should have, “The Lorax” tells most of its tale outside of Dr. Seuss’s influence. The story follows a boy learning about how the world of trees were destroyed to make way for industrialization. As the Once-ler (Ed Helms) tells his tale, we learn of the mysterious Lorax (Danny DeVito) who speaks for the trees.
Overblown and overlong, “The Lorax” struggles to support itself from its own waste, an odd analogy to the original story itself. But the bright colors and nonsensical songs will help keep the children distracted enough for a kid’s movie.
The Blu-ray comes with a nice variety of bonus features, including the Blu-ray exclusives “Expedition of Truffula Valley,” “Get Out of Town” game and “O’Hare” TV, plus access to BD-Live, pocketBLU and Ultraviolet with Digital Copy. Additional features that are also included on the DVD are three new mini-movies as well as the making of these mini-movies. Additional features include deleted scenes, games, sing-alongs and a look at Dr. Seuss adaptations and the Once-ler’s Wagon.