 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Lorax
- Review Date: March 2, 2012
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Dr. Seuss classic is cute, but watch for product tie-ins.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this animated adaptation of Dr. Seuss' beloved tale of THE LORAX is age-appropriate for younger kids; there's little scary stuff, and the pro-environmental message is a positive one. The main issue here is really the movie's huge number of consumerist tie-ins -- at least 70 different marketing promotions. For an anti-materialism story to advertise so many products to kids and their parents sends a particularly confusing message. Still, the movie itself -- like the original story -- promotes conservation and protecting the environment. Kids will leave the film wanting to do more to help the natural world ... too bad that take-away will be diluted by the onslaught of available merchandise with the Lorax's bright-orange image on it.
What's the story?
In the town of Thneedville, there are no real trees, or grass, or nature to speak of -- everything is plastic and fake. When young Ted (voiced by Zac Efron) discovers that what his crush, Audrey (Taylor Swift), wants more than anything is to see a real tree, he sets out to find one for her. Advised by his grandmother (Betty White), Ted leaves Thneedville in search of the reclusive Once-ler (Ed Helms), who tells him the story of The Lorax (Danny DeVito). As Ted learns more about the history of the Truffula Trees that the Once-ler chopped down, his life is Thneedville is challenged by the town's bigwig, Mr. O'Hare (Rob Riggle), who profits from the manufactured air that the citizens have been taught to buy and breathe. But if Ted exposes the truth to the people of Thneedville, they'll realize nature isn't the dirty inconvenience they've been taught to believe.
Is it any good?
To those who consider THE LORAX Dr. Seuss' magnum opus, this adaptation will be at least somewhat a relief (unlike the miserable The Cat in the Hat). It's light and sweet and frames the original story in an easy-to-understand plot about a boy who wants to impress his tree-obsessed crush. The star-studded voice cast does a fine job (the main characters are even named after Dr. Seuss -- Theodore Geisel -- and his widow, Audrey), and the songs are all upbeat, if not Randy Newman-memorable. If it weren't an adaptation, The Lorax would make for a fun, message-filled movie with a charming set of characters.
The problem is that passionate lovers of The Lorax will expect more; they'll hope for a movie as timeless and important as Seuss' subversive commentary on the perils of conspicuous consumption and forsaking the environment to benefit the almighty dollar. But the studio has already marred that idea with its constant parading of various Lorax-approved products. Having the Lorax shill for an SUV or themed breakfasts is counter to the spirit of the story -- which, at least in the movie, promotes a return to nature. Kids will surely delight in The Lorax, but teens and parents savvy enough to recognize the irony of big-studio consumerism may wonder whether Dr. Seuss would have approved at all. (If you're looking for another take on the tale, try the excellent 1970s adaptation -- it's shorter, but it doesn't have the pesky tie-ins to worry about.)
What families can talk about
Families can talk about The Lorax's messages. What does it want viewers to take away from the story? What are some ways that parents and kids can make a difference to the environment?
What made kids want to see this movie -- the story or all the product tie-ins? Do kids want a product because The Lorax is on it? How do kids feel about the fact that one of their favorite characters is being used to sell products that might not be good for the Earth?
What are your favorite Dr. Seuss stories? Which ones were best translated into movies? Are there any other Dr. Seuss books you'd like to see adapted?
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AGE
I wish I knew
The movie was cute and not too far out of the realm of the book. However, based on what I read from this site's review, I formed the opinion that there weren't really any scary moments. I chose to take my 4 year old and even though she tells me now that it wasn't scary, there were quite a few moments that she ended up in my lap or covering her eyes; thunder and lightning before the lorax shows up, when the onceler first looks through the window, and some of the intimidation moments from the bottled air guy - I'm sure there were more. Nothing lasted long and everything ends well, but if you have a sensitive child, there may be a moment or two with their face in your shoulder. The SCARIEST part was actually one of the previews for a movie called "ParaNorman". It's a cartoonish movie about a kids who sees dead people. As you can imagine, his dead friends are not all nice looking and the preview was quite scary!
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AGE
disapointing.
I just came back from watching this movie with my 5 year old kid. I will have lots of explaining to do. The movie go to an over reach attempt to demonize business man or the use of natural resources. I hope my kid does not feel guilty for sitting on a wooden chair as it's made of the corpse of a murdered tree. This kind of movie as they are highly political and never offer a constructive message as to using the planets resources responsibly (i.e. trees). Message in this movie is that you cut a tree you are a murderer.
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AGE
Enjoyable for all ages, just minus the "WOW" for parents.
While the movie was as enjoyable as we thought it would be and the story was charming and the kids gave it thumbs up, the parents left the theater a bit disappointed--movie didn't give us a "WOW--THAT WAS AMAZING" feeling like we'd hoped and expected it to. Still, a great movie that pleased the adults and kids alike, excellent for the littlest ones while still enjoyable for the oldest ones including the grown-ups. And how fun that it was released on Dr Seuss's birthday!
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AGE
Disappointed!
Disappointing! It was too long, the first half was too slow, and those with an adopted child need to be aware of an insensitive comment on the theme.
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AGE
Great movie...nomatter how old your are!
I saw this movie with one of my friends and we both loved it even though we're teenagers! The movie had great rolemodels,cute graphics and was overall an adorable family movie to go and see!
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AGE
Watch out for the trailer of ParaNormal -- too scary for kids!
Just a warning to parents -- My movie theater showed a trailer to ParaNorman which totally freaked out my kids -- 1st and 3rd grade. Especially my 1st grader who only watched a second of it before covering her eyes for the remainder. The image stuck in her mind and came back to her when it was time to go to bed. She was crying that she couldn't stop thinking about it. And this is unusual for my daughter.
And I know the movie is rated PG, but they are marketing this film to first graders -- her teacher read the book to the class the week of the opening and they made the trees as a craft. I think the movie was fine for her to watch, but the trailer was not!
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AGE
The Lorax is too scary for little kids.
If you are protective about what your children watch on tv, DO NOT take them to see The Lorax. There were two previews that were terrifying and the movie itself was scary. We had to leave 30 minutes into it. Totally disappointing...
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AGE
the movie was perfect for my first grader!
the lorax was much better than i expected! the storyline moved quickly, and the graphics and characters were developed enough to support the storyline. my first grader read the book before seeing the movie and was mesmerized by the story. the theme of environmental responsibility was not at all preachy, but conveyed simply enough so that my son said he felt sad when they cut down the last tree. i considered bringing my 4yo to watch this movie, and am glad i did not. she would need to be at least 6yo to appreciate this movie.
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AGE
fjdifijdi
Dr. Seuss' and his cool hairy Charecter The Lorax bring many laughs with Educational stuff about Trees
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AGE
Junk Food for your Eyes and Ears
This movie is not for children who can't already recognize that attitudes expressed in a film may not be appropriate or representative of real life. But every cloud has a silver lining: The film would be very good for teaching bad writing. Junk food makers spend their money on packaging, not nutritional content. It's cheaper and easier. That's what this movie is: A junk food version of Dr Seuss. Beautiful, to attract you, but empty, even negative at the core.
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| Topics: | book characters, science and nature |
| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Chris Renaud |
| Cast: | Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Taylor Swift, Zac Efron |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 2, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | brief mild language |
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