Horton hears a who

Introduction

Ah yes, I remember Dr. Seuss and I remember it well. A story about an elephant in the jungle of Nool who we find one day splashing in a pool. He finds a spec of dust that holds a tiny world. Dr. Seuss's stories were truly excellent. I didn't know it then, but they taught me so much and this movie reminded me I need to by my little nephew some of his books. We need to brainwash him as soon as possible!

The Narrative

This movie is based on either the children's book or the animated movie of the same name. And the director, for the most part, seemed to try and capture what the book and the movie relayed. Dr. Seuss is known for his interesting rhymes by making up words and his messages. This particular story's message was about accepting people for who they are. On the surface the narrative is about Horton, an elephant, interacting with people that are too small, "the Who's", for anyone to hear, but none of the other animals believe they exist. The tiny people, ironically, don't believe that there is anything beyond their world. Horton's stand point is a "person is a person no matter how small."

In the big scheme of things, the story says that difference shouldn't be a reason to believe an individual isn't a person. People are people no matter what; is what I take from the story. This, of course, is open to other interpretation.


The critique

The movie was good overall. I enjoyed it because it rhymed in some parts, it maintained the some of political elements of the story, and it had some new things that made it funny. For instance, the narrator adds a line that the "nosy kangaroo thinks she knows better than you", how they do a Japanese Anime action sequence with Horton, or with Steve Carell as one of the voice actors you can't go wrong! And if you like Jim Carrey, then you'll love Horton! Some of the political element it maintained were the people being worried that Horton's ways were going to somehow "ruin" their society. The Wickerson brothers even talk about moving away from the forest of Nool to protect their children from Horton.

The first bad thing is I don't like Jim Carrey that much and so he ruins Horton for me. The story added way too many characters for me and that distracted from what I thought Dr. Seuss would have liked. The movie also didn't rhyme as much as the book or the animated movie, but I think that was because the director may have thought people wouldn't have liked that. Jr. Kangaroo didn't incessantly agree with his mother and her meddling like the original story and I feel this takes away from the point that children will sometimes follow their parents no matter how wrong the parent is.

The Wickerson brother's also weren't that scary, and the forest animals didn't gossip enough about Horton and show how bad people can get when they get together. While I was disappointed with the lack of music, the main thing for me was the change from Dr. Hoovey to the Mayor and the change of JoJo to a more major character. I felt the Who's not listening to the Dr. that warned them was supposed to symbolize how people ignore education. (A mayor doesn't scream the importance of education in my book). And JoJo in this movie had a bigger role, a distracting role. I watched a Youtube video of Horton Hears a Who and people were more concerned about how cute JoJo was than the message of how the words of children can save you if you just listen.

The conclusion

I'm afraid, however, that people may not remember what, I feel, Dr. Seuss wanted to convey. He was a political writer and yes some of his messages lead to some unhealthy options. In reference to the old Horton story, the people turn to Dr. Hoovey and say they'll do whatever he ask: never a good idea just to follow blindly. I, however, Dr. Seuss's point was that people will do this when they are in trouble but it's still not good.

Overall, I think the movie was enjoyable and I recommend seeing it. It is entertaining overall and you may not want a political statement when you go to the movies. If you love Dr. Seuss, then you'll enjoy this variation on one of his classics.



side note: I know I said I was going to try to be short but this movie is really important to me. I'm sorry. :(

Note to my readers

Hey everyone! I hope you are enjoying my post so far. I just want to take this moment to thank those who have read my blog and commented. I see their are only a few comments so I'm going to try and start being a little less long-winded. I think it's important to share and break the elements of the shows/movies I review down, but maybe I'll get more comments if I wrap things up quicker.
Thanks to all,


~Justiceforusall

Source of pic: http://polyphobia.de/html/wordpress/

Gummi Bears Movie

The Gummibears are back!
or as I first remember them: Gummibärchen

If you're old enough to think of two things when you hear the words "gummy bears," then you'll love this fake trailer! I love College Humor because their site is filled with all sorts of goodies. This time they decided to do a modern version of Disney's Gummibears! Gummibears is an old show from the 80's that aired through the early 90's. The show was inspired by the candy gummy bears but these guys weren’t candy!

The Old Cartoon

This show had miniature bears were anthropomorphic, human characteristics to nonhuman things, and they lived in a tree where a bunch of Gummi’s used to live, but the greed of Man destroyed their old home. So the show premised somewhere around this plot. The trailer, however, presents a movie that takes place in modern times.

The Trailer

The trailer brings a feeling of nostalgia to those who remember it because the director plays on your memories. For instance, at one point in time the main villain proclaims “Let’s see how dashing and daring, courageous and caring you really are!” If you watched/remember the show, this statement was in the theme song. They also flash words from the theme song across the screen like a real movie trailer does for what ever the plot is, and the characters make various references to the show.

My Presumed Plot

The plots a little fuzzy, but some kids travel in the forest one day and the encounter full-size, bouncing bears. They try to tell anyone who’ll listen but of course, everyone thinks they’re crazy. Mayor Duke, a play on the main bad guy of the cartoon, has been investigating large berries in an area called Gummi Glen (place in the cartoon) and none of their scientist returned: yet somehow a recording did.

The kids discover the berries and show it to their scientist friend while Mayor Duke declares the bears a menace. The scientist friend realizes the juice from the berries could give a person super strength and the kids must act. The guy and the girl conflict because he trust the bears while she’s reluctant, but when she realizes that the Mayor has Ogres for project O.G.R.E, she decides to help. Of course there’s a love story and a final battle.

In the end, in spite of everyone’s efforts, Mayor Duke gets his hands on the juice and he gets ready for a show down with the Gummibears!

My Impression

Overall the trailer is fun and it takes less than two mins. to watch:

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

Just for fun

Here are the old lyrics to the Gummibears song and a video of the opening theme:



Lyrics:

(verse 1) (verse 2)
Dashing and daring Magic and mystery
Courageous and caring Are part of their history
Faithful and friendly Along with the secret
With stories to share Of gummiberry juice
All through the forest Their legend is growing
They sing out in chorus They take pride in knowing
Marching along They'll fight for what's right
As their song fills the air In whatever they do

CHORUS:
Gummi Bears
Bouncing here and there and everywhere
High adventure that's beyond compare
They are the Gummi Bears

(Second time around)
They are the Gummi Bears!