On March 2, the long-awaited movie, “The Lorax,” opens in 3D nationwide. In addition to being available at cinemas using existing technologies, IMAX has specially digitally mastered a version of this animated Dr. Seuss favorite to be seen and heard in a way only IMAX viewers will experience.
Popular with kids from two to 102, the Lorax is a creature that transforms humans into better-natured characters. Unlike “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” or “The Cat in the Hat,” Dr. Seuss gives the Lorax the duty of redeeming people into more caring individuals regarding the earth’s natural resources. Always full of hope, the Lorax is sometimes sarcastic and pessimistic when fiercely protecting his “green” forest. He is not so sure the humans are up to the task of saving the planet.
The story begins with a 12-year old boy on a quest to win over a sweetheart. In order to do so, he must find something that the Lorax is protective of and bring it back for her. In doing so, he runs into a society led by a greedy Once-ler who leaves his and his factory town’s carbon footprint everywhere. The Lorax, with the boy’s help, set out to defeat this society of waste and non-recyclers.
Although 40 years old, the story parallels the issues we face today as a society. Anyone who read the book full of the strange, colorful characters and their adventures will come away from the movie with many of the messages Seuss created in his book. This story is a good look in the mirror at how we live our lives as a society and a reminder of what can happen if we do not transform our behaviors.
Danny DeVito lends his voice to the title character while superstars Taylor Swift, Zac Efron and the “It Girl” of the moment, Betty White, provide their voices to the major characters in animated feature from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment who brought the world “Despicable Me” and “Hop.” This movie is rated PG.
Sources: IMAX.com, theloraxmovie.com
Published on Examiner.com