Sunday, March 11, 2012

Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda: Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Universal Pictures, 2012.


Overflowing with eye popping synthetic candy colors, this new version of timeless storyteller Dr. Seuss' conservation cautionary tale The Lorax from 1971 is undeniably engaging. The film's overall plot structure reminiscent of Burton's Edward Scissorhands, this tale of generic suburbia, hypocracy, and going green has a fun little script written by Ken Daurio. He also co-wrote the songs for the films' musical numbers, with the brilliant composer John Powell. Powell's lush sound-score for the film contributes a lot to the atmosphere of endearment.

Zac Efron and Taylor Swift are our young neighborhood kids, our heroes, with a crush, of course. After we are exposed to the utter drone-ism of suburbia, recalling the 60s mixed with inexpressive CGI for a maximum feeling of ambivalence. Ed Helms (great) as the Once-ler, Danny DeVito (perfect) as the titular character, not to mention countless others.

While the plot does wear rather thin, and the animation is ultimately unsatisfying aesthetically, the filmmakers do a good job of keeping things popping at a peppy pace which kids all over will eat up with their buttered popcorn.

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