'Dr. Seuss' The Lorax'

'DR. SEUSS' THE LORAX (PG) (3 STARS)

Written by Ken Daurio based on the book by Dr. Seuss
Directed by Chris Renaud
Voice Actors: Taylor Swift, Zac Efron, Danny Devito, Ed Helms, Betty White, Rob Riggle

Oh the colors we will see when a movie based on Dr. Seuss' book there will be! Finally someone takes a Dr. Seuss book and simply makes a relaxing, sunny and fun animated movie that doesn't throw non stop action at you. This is the best adaptation of a Seuss book on the big screen. It isn't a world beater but it takes it's time and I haven't seen an animated movie with this much eye popping color and warmth forever. You usually have to get this much visual splendor in live action movies like "Hugo" and "Detective Dee". There is also an easy going, fun, sweet, charming story going on here with a nice little message.

Zac Effron is Ted and Taylor Swift is Audrey and Danny Devito is The Lorax and they are all very good here. Ted has a crush on Audrey and Audrey is all sunshine with her beautiful, glowing red hair which is one of the images that warmed me up in this movie. Dr. Seuss's books are all sunny and catchy but very short. This movie does what the other adaptations couldn't. Keep it simple and sweet because movies like Jim Carrey's Grinch remake did it wrong for an example. That movie was over crowded and noisy and very obnoxious while "The Lorax" is quiet and soothing. There is also a nice message about the enviornment and how important trees are to our daily lives. The movie thankfully doesn't hit us over the head with the message either or preach to us.

I love how this movie works and I love the Lorax character and Danny Devito is pitch perfect. There are also some cute little bears in the movie and when they showed up I was weary. I didn't want an Ewoks flashback and the bears here are hilarious! I also like the chorus of other little animals like the little fishies that remind me of the minions in "Despicable Me". Both of those movies have the same director, Chris Renaud, and I am liking Renaud's style. There are also some catchy and decent tunes in this movie capping it off with a beautiful song at the end that recites the story's message.

This is an animated movie that adults will not mind taking their kids to and watching. I liked it and I am getting jaded by animated movies lately and "The Lorax" is better than both "Kung Fu Panda" movies. I just like that this movie doesn't try too hard and respects Dr. Seuss' story unlike the Grinch remake. It is sunny, delightful and fun, the voice work is great including natural work from Ed Helms and Betty White. I also love Rob Riggle as the bad guy who is funny and just right. The colors of this movie are beautiful and I think 2D would be a better bet than 3D. "The Lorax" works because it doesn't have too many dumb pop culture jokes and it just charms us with it's story and visuals.