"The Lorax" 3D (26/30 on the Daddymeter)
Galaxy Theatre, Saskatoon
March 23, 2012

Didn't have high hopes for this one, but it was better than I expected.  The movie is based on Dr. Suess' book of the same name, and follows it the book accordingly.  To make it a full length feature the writers added a secondary plot that makes "The Lorax" a story within a story, within a story, but it works.

The Daddymeter:

1) Happy Daddy?  Like I said, I didn't have high hopes, but I did enjoy this film.  Creative characters, an easy to follow plot, playful rhymes, lots of colour, just like the books.  They kept it simple, and didn't try to make it something it wasn't.  I like that.  I Didn't have to think too much, but it gave me something to think about.  It was also only 86 minutes long.  Too many kids shows get too long.  Here are some highlights.  Remember these comments are within the context of a Dr. Seuss film!
- Some really neat 3D effects.  I jumped a couple of times, and Ava did spill pop on my lap once.  Jesse needed a bathroom break anyway, and he ran into the women's bathroom and locked himself in the stall before someone could bring him to me.  Thankfully he only had to go 'number 1'.  Maybe he left the seat up.
- Some surprisingly good action sequences and chase scenes.
- Music was fantastic.  Strangely reminiscent of "Jesus Christ Superstar"
- The 'love story' was exactly how a grade 5 boy feels when in the presence of a beautiful grade 6 girl who is (in relative maturation) twice his age.  I could relate.  And it's hard to not fall for Taylor Swift, no?
- Lots of little laugh bits, "She's a woman?"
- Danny Devito was born to play the Lorax.  Oscar?!

Happy Daddy? Yes. For sheer fun, and surprisingly well rounded entertainment quality I am giving this one an 8.5/10

2) Happy Kids?  My kids liked this film, all of them, from my 3 to 5 to 7 and 9 year old.  Outside of my 3 year old, they all sat through the entire movie.  This is rare.  They laughed a lot, and liked the music.  They sort of shimmy-danced in their chairs.  They also followed the story, and were engrossed in the movie enough that they didn't resort to the usual 'he got more popcorn than me' type of scenarios. 

Happy kids?  Yes. They laughed, followed the story, and didn't get bored.  they didn't rave on and on about it, but they definitely enjoyed it, and told me so.  8.5/10

3) Happy World?  Dr. Seuss is known for his moralising tales and this is one of his most popular in this regard.  It is a cautionary tale, and one worth heeding.  Let's use our resources wisely, or one day they may be gone.  The producers handled this exceptionally well.  They lured the audience in with the colour and simplicity.  As the movie progressed They slowly added to the depth of the message without detracting from the story, making it laborious, or feeling like you were being preached at.  The "How Bad Can I Be?" song was particularly poignant.  A small piece of me died when they cut the last tree, but this happens when your last name is Wood.  As well, the critical social commentary of Thneedville as a modern suburban city was difficult to miss, and a point well taken.  "But why would you want a real tree? They are so dirty."  Ending the movie with the a signature Seuss quote was also a nice touch: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”


Happy World?  I sure hope so, this is the Lorax!  Don't mess with The Lorax!  They could have blown this but they didn't.  9/10

Well done producers. the Daddymeter gives this film a 26/30