Dr. Seuss' 'The Lorax' Review Thread (Use Spoiler Tags)

[Lord_Stewie]

Hey,

I love Dr. Seuss stories. This is a new story headed to the big screen. Thought I should share it with the fans out there.

Enjoy:



http://www.cinecon.com/news/2298/dr-...he-big-screen/

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Update June 7th, 2010:

Wow its been a long time since there was a discussion on this topic. Its covered in spiderwebs.

Somehow, between the first announcement and now The Lorax has a poster.

Here is more about the subject: (third photo on the right)

The Lorax is an adaptation of the 1971 Dr. Seuss book that’s part childrens’ literature, part environmental message. With a targeted release of March 2, 2012, the picture is still far enough away that not much is known except to expect a 3D rendering.

And its another edition to 3D upcoming releases.

Source.

[Lord_Stewie]

The Lorax is a children's book, written by Dr. Seuss and first published in 1971. It chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax (a mossy, bossy man-like creature resembling an emperor tamarin), who speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler. As in most of Dr. Seuss works, most of the creatures mentioned are original to the book.
The book is commonly recognized as a fable concerning industrialized society, using the literary element of personification to give life to industry as the Once-ler (whose face is never shown in any of the story's illustrations or in the television special) and to the environment as the Lorax. It has become a popular metaphor for those concerned about the human impact on the environment.

I guess it targets the environmentalists out there.

anyone.

[jasonicus]

Yeah, it does pretty much. Been some time since I read the book though.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by jasonicus

Yeah, it does pretty much. Been some time since I read the book though.

I just hope it isn't a disaster such as the Cat's in the hat.

although i did find the movie somewhat amusing.

[Foggy]

The problem with dr Seuss adaptaions are that there only 10 pages long and practicly don't have a storyline, so while the films are visually right, they have to spread out a 10 page book to an hour and a half film, while they have a lot of room to add new stuff, like back storys and messages, it loses the charm of Dr Seuss and also becomes quite tiresome as they find that they can't stay as true to the book.

[SonOfArathorn]

agreed. I would prefer a bunch of them in one movie, like a short story collection, but animated. Like Horton hears a Who style cgi, only truly faithful adaptations.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by Foggy

The problem with dr Seuss adaptaions are that there only 10 pages long and practicly don't have a storyline, so while the films are visually right, they have to spread out a 10 page book to an hour and a half film, while they have a lot of room to add new stuff, like back storys and messages, it loses the charm of Dr Seuss and also becomes quite tiresome as they find that they can't stay as true to the book.

The Grinch worked out great, and Horton hears a who was cool. but unfortunately that wasn't the case with the cat in the hat. I was actually amazed with the language used for a children movie.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by shadblz

The Grinch worked out great, and Horton hears a who was cool. but unfortunately that wasn't the case with the cat in the hat. I was actually amazed with the language used for a children movie.

The Grinch was the one with the most story to from the begining, and it still kind of mange to add alot more plot to it with it working, but just sometimes got to madcap in parts. Horton hears a Who was one that worked out okay, but that film was streched and got a bit tendious in the middle. I guess what ever Dr Seuss movie Jim Carrey is in is okay, but none of them have caught what Dr Seuss is, without becoming just short of taking crack.

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by Foggy

The Grinch was the one with the most story to from the begining, and it still kind of mange to add alot more plot to it with it working, but just sometimes got to madcap in parts. Horton hears a Who was one that worked out okay, but that film was streched and got a bit tendious in the middle. I guess what ever Dr Seuss movie Jim Carrey is in is okay, but none of them have caught what Dr Seuss is, without becoming just short of taking crack.

I think I read somewhere that if Dr. Seuss was alive he would refuse to have his stories to hit the big screen. its his wife who took advantage of his work after his death to capitalize on them.

[Hep]

Welcome news, thanks OP. This is one of, if not my favourite, Dr. Seuss story. Apart from the fact that environmentalism is fashionable these days, I think this has some great potential. It's one of Seuss' more fleshed out stories. That being said, just like Horton, a lot is left up to the production crew to deliver the goods and transform it into a meaningful adaptation. I really hope they do the book justice.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Foggy

The problem with dr Seuss adaptaions are that there only 10 pages long and practicly don't have a storyline, so while the films are visually right, they have to spread out a 10 page book to an hour and a half film, while they have a lot of room to add new stuff, like back storys and messages, it loses the charm of Dr Seuss and also becomes quite tiresome as they find that they can't stay as true to the book.

All three were messed up:
In the Jim Carrey Grinch, the Whos come out to find their Christmas trappings missing, and panic...Um, excuse me??

While "Horton" claimed to be "closer to the book" in that it didn't have Mike Myers in it (although it still had Jim Carrey)--
But Seuss's theme in HHaW actually wasn't about "Believing in the impossible"...Whether Seuss claimed it or not, the book's been regarded to be his parable for the US turning a deaf ear to reports of peasants struggling under Stalinist repression (or, indeed, repression anywhere), and how easy it is to say "they don't exist", and to shun, exile, and call "subversive" any "troublemakers" who say they do.
And how such "nonexistent" folks, no matter how "small", need to speak up before it's too late--It doesn't matter who or what, even one little kid in a corner with a "yip" or a "yop" that gets heard might just turn out be the one by accident to break the silence and change everything forever...

When the CGI "Horton" gave us the Mayor's Son as yet another "misunderstood Lisa Simpson" so we could get the neglectful-parent defaults, and in the climax gave him his epic, "heroic" Excalibur-like shouting of "YOPPP!" to personally save the city (without any real explanation in the script as to why that particular phrase), I just kind of stared for a moment going ".........wwwWhat?? "

(As for Universal plans to do with the Lorax, I claim that it's possible to predict just how exactly they Won't Get that one either, to within a 3-5% margin of error, but that is for another time.
Unless the thread is morbidly curious, of course. )

[Lord_Stewie]

Update June 7th, 2010:

Wow its been a long time since there was a discussion on this topic. Its covered in spiderwebs.

Somehow, between the first announcement and now The Lorax has a poster.

Here is more about the subject: (third photo on the right)

The Lorax is an adaptation of the 1971 Dr. Seuss book that’s part childrens’ literature, part environmental message. With a targeted release of March 2, 2012, the picture is still far enough away that not much is known except to expect a 3D rendering.

And its another addition to 3D upcoming releases.

Source.

[Hep]

Thanks for the update. The poster looks pretty good. I'm surprised it's still nearly two years out.

[Lord_Stewie]

The Lorax is a children's book, written by Dr. Seuss and first published in 1971. It chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, who speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler. As in most of Dr. Seuss works, most of the creatures mentioned are original to the book.

The book is commonly recognized as a fable concerning industrialized society, using the literary element of personification to give life to industry as the Once-ler (whose face is never shown in any of the story's illustrations or in the television special) and to the environment as the Lorax. It has become a popular metaphor for those concerned about the environment.

Wiki.

=========================

You are welcome Hep.

I know there is a gap of development (I as well am surprised about it) But its a definite Dr. Seuss follow up for me since I am a huge fan of the genre.

[MyBlu-rayBrotherEd]

I'm really looking forward to this one.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Lord_Stewie

Wiki.

A boy (representing the reader) comes to a desolate corner of town to visit a being called the Once-ler (who is never shown throughout the book except for his arms, legs, and eyes) and learn about the Lorax. After the Once-ler receives payment from the boy (consisting of 15 cents, a nail, and the shell of a great, great, great grandfather snail) he recounts on how he first arrived where they now stand, back then a beautiful forest of Truffula Trees, colorful woolly trees that were spread throughout the area and supported various fantastical creatures.

And....lemme guess:
Since every Universal and/or BlueSky version of Seuss has to play the "Adult-satirizing our modern culture" card (and has to play the "Parent" angle because they don't know how to make Kids' films), the Boy will now be the same mooning, crabby, left-out Emo character, because he feels neglected that his dad works for the Once-ler's big corporation, right?

I just keep having these mysterious psychic flashes...

[detective392]

Voice cast has been announced Danny DeVito will lend his vocal talents to the iconic title character of the Lorax, while Ed Helms will voice the enigmatic Once-ler. Also bringing their talents to the film are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic young boy who searches for the Lorax, and Taylor Swift as Audrey, the girl of Ted's dreams. Rob Riggle will play financial king O'Hare, and beloved actress Betty White has signed on to portray Ted's wise Grammy Norma.

http://movies.ign.com/articles/115/1156238p1.html

[ArmyOfDarknessAW]

Well that's an interesting cast. I will see it no matter what because I love Dr. Seuss( we share the same birthday too) and I loved Horton Hears A Who.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by detective392

Voice cast has been announced Danny DeVito will lend his vocal talents to the iconic title character of the Lorax, while Ed Helms will voice the enigmatic Once-ler. Also bringing their talents to the film are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic young boy who searches for the Lorax, and Taylor Swift as Audrey, the girl of Ted's dreams. Rob Riggle will play financial king O'Hare, and beloved actress Betty White has signed on to portray Ted's wise Grammy Norma.

http://movies.ign.com/articles/115/1156238p1.html

See, y'get it, get it, she's named "Audrey", because...

....

....

....THERE'S NO FREAKIN' GIRL IN THE STORY!!!
The Boy doesn't even have any LINES!!!!
(He didn't even know about the Lorax, the Once-Ler was the one who told him!)

I've already gone into detail about how far off the They Just Don't Get It compass "Horton" traveled.
This don't look like it's gotten any further back on the road map...Don't you hate it when adults try to figure out Dr. Seuss?

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by ArmyOfDarknessAW

Well that's an interesting cast. I will see it no matter what because I love Dr. Seuss( we share the same birthday too) and I loved Horton Hears A Who.

I love Dr. Seuss and I thought Horton Hears a Who was great, so I'm looking forward to this. It should be a lot of fun.