Dr Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who! (2008)

Synopsis:

An imaginative elephant named Horton hears a cry for help coming from a tiny speck of dust floating through the air. Suspecting there may be life on that speck and despite a surrounding community that is convinced he’s lost his mind, Horton is determined to help. Animated. Based on the children’s book by Dr. Seuss.

Our Thoughts:

After seeing the trailer for this one, only one thought is going through my head: who knew the re-teaming of Bruce Almighty (2003)’s Jim Carrey and Steve Carell would be in a movie where one’s an elephant and the other’s smaller than a speck of dust?

But, that’s what’s happening in the upcoming animated film Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who!. Jim Carrey is Horton, the big elephant, and Steve Carell is one of the Whos living on a speck of dust. After revamping the classic role of The Grinch in the big screen adaption of Dr. Seuss’ beloved Christmas story, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”, Jim Carrey seemed an obvious choice for Horton (especially after hearing the reviews of Mike Myers performance in The Cat In The Hat).

And Steve Carell, who’s career has skyrocketed since his appearance in Bruce Almighty (2003) (enough so that the filmmakers gave him the lead spot in the sequel, Evan Almighty (2007)), now gets to play a tiny Who.

It seems almost fitting. Jim Carrey’s comedy stylings are larger than life, so he gets the biggest role, literally. Steve Carell, who is decently funny in his own right, pales in comparison next to Jim, so gets the - literally - smaller role.

These two played so well off each other in Bruce Almighty (2003), it should be enjoyable to watch their animated alter-egos banter back and forth. And with a supporting cast that includes the newly popular (Dane Cook, Seth Rogen) and even a nod to old school comedy (Carol Burnett), this movie looks like it’s capable of becoming an all-star laugh-a-thon.

However, since I don’t remember much of the books (if I ever read them at all), I’m not sure if I’ll be checking this one out in theaters. But, I’ll keep my ear to the ground and listen for the buzz…if it gets loud enough, this may beat out Inkheart (2009) and Wanted (2008) as my 2008 birthday film.