Lorax, The (08/07/2012)

Rated PG for brief mild language.

Starring (the voices of) Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Ed Helms, Danny DeVito and Betty White

Directed by Chris Renaud, Kyle Balda (Despicable Me)

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is the perfect movie to watch with the family.

A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.

This clever environmental fable first published in 1971, has always been Theodore Geisel’s (aka, Dr. Seuss) most political book. Now I am the first to get upset when I feel the sole reason a movie has been made is to push an agenda, but I still loved every second of this movie. I got the “save the trees” message, but there is so much more to this animated feature. Director Chris Renaud and writers Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, got together again (they previously collaborated on the CGI hit Despicable Me), and once again effectively mixed sharp and witty comedy with warm family values.

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is everything you would expect in a big-budget, studio-produced 3D CGI musical comedy. There are hearty laughs, wonderful characters and big, beautiful and colorful animation. Daurio and Paul’s script expands on Dr. Seuss’ book with a few new subplots, half a dozen rock-infused Broadway-style tunes (that I actually loved), and several new characters.

While all these additions work quite well, they also cause the poetic wordplay of Seuss’ work to virtually disappear. Those new characters and subplots added depth, humor, conflict and more importantly, they added teachable moments. Like the Once-ler’s family who loves him while he is successful and immediately leave him when things go sour. Then there is Mr. O’Hare, the miniature CEO of a massive corporation that exploits everyone by selling bottled air and convincing the people of the town that they don’t want plants and trees because they’re dirty and messy (and not because they produce clean air for free). Greed, unconditional love and so many other topics are served up on a colorful platter…all you need are a few questions to get the ball rolling…just keep reading.

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is an absolute winner, and absolutely “Worth Buying.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Yes! Unlike many animated films, this one leaves out all those “jokes” that only the adults in the room get. It’s fun, clean and wonderful to watch.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. At one point the Lorax asks the Once-ler, “Which way does a tree fall?” He then answers his own question by saying, “a tree falls the way it leans…be careful how you lean.” What do you think he means by that?


2. The Once-ler made a promise and then broke it. Has anyone ever broken a promise they made to you? Have you ever broken a promise?


3. What happened when you broke your promise?


4. What happened when the Once-ler broke his promise?


5. In the film, how did he redeem the situation?


6. How do we find forgiveness?

Read 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
7. Finding forgiveness from God is one thing, but just like in the film, sometimes we need to make amends with those we have hurt. Who do you need to make amends with?