Review - Horton Hears a Who

Horton Hears a Who proves that animated movies don't have to be huge spectacles to succeed. Based on the Dr. Seuss picture book of the same name, Horton remains just as charming and lyrical as the Seuss material. If The Cat in the Hat had tried that, perhaps it would have been more successful.
The film follows a gentle elephant, Horton, who hears a cry from a speck in the air and spends the rest of the movie trying to get said speck (which just happens to house Whoville) to the mountain where it will be saved. Along the way, he must overcome Seuss's version of Hitler in the form of a dictatorial kangaroo and an entire jungle who believes him crazy. On the speck is the mayor of Whoville who is powerless to protect Whoville and must rely on Horton to save them while trying to convince the citizens of Whoville that their world is not perfect and is indeed in danger and work around the somewhat fascist board who refuses to postpone some giant celebration in Whoville.
The colors and visual design of the movie are simply amazing. The lush jungles of Noole are a nice contrast to the geometric Whoville but its the characters that really work. Horton and all of his compatriots are fully realized and full of expression, due not only to the creative teams but also to the amazing ensemble of voice actors assembled for this film. Whoville is graced by not only Steve Carell, and Jim Carrey (in his least annoying role yet) but also by Amy Poehler, Jonah Hill, Will Arnett, Isla fisher, and even Carol Burnett. It's a children's movie that has heart and enough genuine fun to be a nice ride for adults as well.
Particularly inspired are the cutscenes featuring Horton in a variety of different animation styles. For example, one shows his daydream as he imagines himself a ninja of some sort and is styled to resemble anime. Though they don't add anything to the story these scenes show that the movie doesn't take itself too seriously, nor is it devoid of ideas. The film pays remarkable respect to Dr. Seuss, a loving homage to the illustrious Theodore Geisel while also adding some wit and charm to aid the transition to the big screen. It is one of the better children's adaptations to come out of Hollywood in this past year which seems to have preferred bloated, overdrawn crap as opposed to actual entertainment.