I think it is an interesting message and is packaged in a
way that children will understand it. It brings to light important
environmental issues today, such as sustainability. Children need to realize
the effects that they have on the environment and that even they are capable of
helping the environment. As a country, we have gotten into the mind set of
getting as much as we can and using as much as we can, but The Lorax shows the
effects of greed and will hopefully help children and even adults understand
how our actions effect the world we live in.
The original book by Dr. Seuss was released in 1971, when environmental issues were not main stream or important. The movie reintroduces The Lorax at a time when the message will be received better than before. Also, as previously mentioned, it is also a great way to introduce the topic of environmentalism to children. However, even Universal has received complaints from both sides of the movement over the message of the movie: those who complain the animated movie aims to "indoctrinate children and turn them into millions of little eco-warriors," and those who question whether the marketing and promotional tie-ins, including one for an SUV, are sufficiently eco-friendly (Rome, 2012)." There was even controversy about the message Universal was sending at the red carpet premiere, where attendees received potted plants upon exiting the theater, but some complained there were no recycling bins for the complimentary plastic bottles of soda given to viewers (Rome, 2012). Many more people complain that Universal teamed with Mazda and not an electric car, and there are also complaints that the trailer and the website do not display the environmental message and that Universal needs to stay true to Dr. Seuss' lesson (Rome, 2012). But in Hollywood, it is still about making money, regardless of the theme of the movie.
Here is the movie trailer:
"An
adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic tale of a forest creature who shares the
enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a boy as
he searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the
girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the
grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.”
See the reviews and movie times for Tallahassee
here.
Has anyone else seen the movie yet? What did you think about
it? Do you think it is a good example of what’s really going on?
Sources:
Fenkl, Heinz. (2001). The secret alchemy of Dr. Seuss. Retrieved from http://www.endicott-studio.com/rdrm/forseus.html
Rome, Emily. (2012). 'The Lorax' targeted for its green credentials. The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/01/entertainment/la-et-lorax-20120301
Sources:
Fenkl, Heinz. (2001). The secret alchemy of Dr. Seuss. Retrieved from http://www.endicott-studio.com/rdrm/forseus.html
Rome, Emily. (2012). 'The Lorax' targeted for its green credentials. The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/01/entertainment/la-et-lorax-20120301