Horton Hears a Who 2008
Horton was one of my favorite Seuss characters when I was a child: He did the right thing, no matter the personal cost. He is a classic hero and this is a classic fable about persevering in respecting others. But the problem with the movie, is that the book is quite short and this simple but beautiful message just can not sustain a feature-length movie. It probably would have been better as a double feature with another Seuss selection or two. The movie is still enjoyable and the message is certainly still there, but the slower pace is a disservice to the original piece and adds nothing.
Kids will certainly still enjoy this, although the parts where Horton suffers are likewise drawn out, giving the movie a darker feeling. If you’re a Seuss fan, it is worth seeing and remembering this story, especially if you have kids that can be taught an important lesson. For others, this one is easy to miss. B-.
Written: 15 Aug 2008
Owned on: Digital