Movie Reviews ... and a little more

Horton Hears a Who

A group of us went to see this movie over the weekend. As a movie, it was excellent. Although rated G, we all, adults and kids alike, thoroughly enjoyed it. They changed the story, some to extend it into a movie and some to be more pro-liberal (the pouch-schooled joke was particularly pointed), but even most of the changes worked within the overall story.

Horton Hears a Who is a book by Dr. Seuss, a complete literary genius, in my humble opinion. While he was somewhat more popular in my generation and before, there have been a couple recent lame attempts to make movies based on his stories (Grinch was average at best and Cat in the Hat was a disaster).

They got it right in this one. Jim Carrey wasn't over the top and the animation was both modern and honoring to Seuss' style. My only criticism is a cheesy REO Speedwagon cover at the very end (a Shrek-like debacle -- didn't need it -- not original).

For those going to see the movie, or have seen it, Horton Hears a Who is very symbolic. At some point, I may do a series on this, but others pointed it out to me first, so I don't really feel like I have the creative license. But the whole story centers around life on a speck that no one but Horton, an elephant, can hear. Horton is symbolic of the Church (whose only power is one of hearing the Voice of God), and the speck is the unborn.

Think I'm crazy? It goes on. The kangaroo (court) represents the Supreme Court, the law, that is adamant about the unborn not being truly alive, or a person (the same argument the Supreme Court made about slavery in the 1850's to justify the injustice then). To support her are the monkeys, symbolic of evolutionists who argue that no life is divine, that we are all just another form of animal, that humans are only evolved primates, which makes the unborn "just another mass of flesh and tissue".

And it must be the Church above all others that must speak out for the innocent who cannot speak for themselves -- how do you get any more innocent and voiceless? -- even though others will mock you, call you names -- like "conservative Christian" -- gasp! We must know that the blood of the innocent cries out (like Abel in Genesis) to God Himself.

I've made my feelings on abortion clear before. It, more than any other sin, defines this generation, much as slavery did in the 1800's and racism through the 1900's.

Did Dr. Seuss mean it to symbolize these things? Probably not. I would guess he meant it to symbolize the need to protect life in any form especially lives we believe are "small." This could mean the poor or those in "third world" countries, whatever.

Did Carrey, Carrell, Carol Burnett, and the makers of the movie know the message they were participating in? Much more unlikely. It wouldn't have passed the Bono Litmus test. But God says what He wants to say, even if he uses donkeys to do so.

Did this color my review? Maybe. But I also think it's a great story, and they were extremely creative with it. Worth seeing with or without kids.

And the message is clear. A person is a person, no matter how small.

(by the way, I paid matinee price -- $8! Why isn't anyone complaining about price inflation at the movies? I remember when gas was under a dollar a gallon and a matinee movie was like three bucks. Why don't we profit tax movie makers or actors? Does an actor or producer really need to make more money? Just a thought)

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

While not as good as Horton, still a surprisingly good movie. The first time I saw the poster for this movie, I immediately dismissed it. It just looked very candy/cheesy to me.

They should have done a better job with their marketing, because it actually possessed some deep themes. Mr. Magorium is leaving this magical toy store (i.e., he is dying) and others must take up the responsibility for it to carry on. Also a personal thing for me, as someone who has dealt with the death of a mentor, but I thought well done.

The actors all did a great job, the story was simple but good, and there were moments I truly enjoyed. I did actually cry -- but I'm fasting, and that tends to make me more emotional, so give me a break.

Peace.