Dr Seuss’ The Lorax

Indian Express Ratings:**

When Dr Seuss wrote The Lorax,it was 1971 and activism of any kind was in the air,including environmental. Now every child who comes in to see this film is likely to be acutely conscious of the dangers of chopping down trees and the various uses and excuses put forth for same. This sanitized version then,of red colourful things swaying in the wind and being chopped down to make a piece of clothing,seems so comical as to be making fun of the entire effort.

Plus,though it has the requisite animals,this Illumination studio animation is neither funny nor musical enough to fill in the gaps in a story that labours and yet doesn’t labour enough to make its point. The most interesting thing about it is the curiously haired “villainous” O’Hare who makes his money selling fresh air. However,children can’t love him can they? And there is little else they can identify with in ‘Thneedville’,where plastic trees change seasons and stream light at the touch of a remote button.

The need for a tree seems as frivolous as the need for this replacement.

shalini.langer@expressindia.com