The Lorax

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Just went to go see The Lorax tonight with my son and it's pretty good in that it is by far the most watchable of the Dr Seuss movies (which are historically bad.) I don't really understand why every character in an animated film has to be voiced by some big Hollywood name today. I guess it was the way they wanted market the film but from the audience in the theater I saw it with, none of them were there seeing the movie because of who supplies a voice. Most of them probably couldn't tell you who any of the actors are!

Here's the thing with this film though...I heard that Danny Devito, Taylor Swift, Zach Effron, and Betty White were the main voices in the film but none of them play the lead character. The most dialogue and songs are actually given to Ed Helms, a guy who until I saw his name come up in the credits, had no idea was even in the movie. By far though Helms gets the most lines and screen time. I'm not even sure why a film like this needed to get someone like Effron and Swift to voice a character. Especially Taylor Swift. It's not like she's recognizable by just hearing her talk as say Betty White is. Effron is at least the protagonist but her character is extremely minor in the film. She didn't sing much either except at the end when everybody sings so it's not like they got her to do a song for the film either. Just kind of a weird casting choice really.

One other note...a lot has been made of the new Tim Burton "Frankenweenie" movie trailer being attached to this film. It looks morbid. No way would I take my kid to see that. It's also in black and white, not to mention I think the original short is attached to the DVD of Nightmare Before Christmas. There was however a preview for a movie called Paranorman (from the makers of Coraline) and that looks great.

[MegoMark71]

They have to market it somehow and those names are big names.

[doctor09210]

They have to market it somehow and those names are big names.

Well it worked... The Lorax opened to a massive $70.7 million start this weekend.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Took my kids on Saturday. They loved it. I was pleased as well.

[4NDR01D]

Loved the 3D, the attention to detail (dust particles etc) were just about the best I've seen in a 3D movie yet. It was fun to watch, but the characters were really shallow and the music was completely horrid.
I assume this was the same team that did Despicable Me?, which I really liked.

[nazgul]

There was however a preview for a movie called Paranorman (from the makers of Coraline) and that looks great.

Keira is dying to see it...so am I. It looks really cool. I especially love that they used Donovans "Season of the Witch" for the music..awesome song.

[4NDR01D]

Keira is dying to see it...so am I. It looks really cool. I especially love that they used Donovans "Season of the Witch" for the music..awesome song.

I'm a big Donovan fan too, when this commercial first started running a few months back, it stopped me dead in my tracks. I was brushing my teeth, came out of the bathroom to see what commercial was using "SotW" and just stood there gape jawed staring at the screen. I was really disappointed that we didn't get to our seats in time to see the teaser on the big screen last night. Probably my most anticipated movie of 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsxTy8KJIPA&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zIjLA8NGLY

[toys2cool]

Well it worked... The Lorax opened to a massive $70.7 million start this weekend.

dam

[Earth 2 Chris]

Took the family to see it this weekend. We all really enjoyed it. One of the better, non-Pixar CGI movies. The 3D was actually very effective! The Despicable Me 2 trailer had the best 3D effect I've ever seen. But the Lorax itself was well done, with a very good message, but still very entertaining and not cloying.

No Frankenweenie trailer, but we did see ParaNorman. My daughter ducked her head (she's 4), but my 10 year old is all about seeing this.

Chris

[Brazoo]

I never saw the other Seuss movies - too heartbreaking. They all looked horrible. This is the first one that looks like it has any quality to it, to me.

I think the question of why animated movies use so many stars is partially the marketing, but also tied into how movies secure funding. It doesn't always make artistic sense - there are a lot of great voice actors who aren't famous - but sometimes it works well.

"Paranorman" looks great and I love the trailer.

I'm a little excited about "Frankenweenie". I use to love Tim Burton, but he hasn't made anything I liked in a long time. Since this is going back to his roots I'm interested. The story is a little dark, but all his great movies are. I don't think I'd have a problem taking my nieces to see this, but they seem to like creepy stuff when I show it to them, I could see some kids being upset by this.