I was pleasantly surprised at how entertaining this was. Jim Carrey and Steve Carell have not had anything worth a good buzz but this should change that. Not to mention how previous Dr. Seuss’ adaptations were not well-received. Again, this should change that.

Jim Carrey brought in a new and innocent – a first for him, I’m sure – voice for the character of Horton. His lines were great, only to be contended for the best lines from Carol Burnett as the obnoxious Kangaroo. However, Steve Carell still sounded like himself, again reinforcing that he may be a one-trick pony.

The CGI drawings on the cartoons were great because as cartoons, and as far as cartoons go, they looked their best. The colours were vibrant and the textures were rich. The movements were seamless and smooth but that also came as part of the directing.

The storytelling I thought was exceptionally good. The story didn’t feel fragmented or interrupted in anyway, especially when the scenes changed from reality to one of Horton’s rather vivid imaginations. They took nothing away from the story but added more colours to it. And both directors, Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino, were first time at the helm too. Quite impressive.

Other than the very hilarious and well choreographed slapsticks, the messages and the moral of the story were also something children and adults of all ages can enjoy, relate to and take home. Especially when towards the end of the movie, when the whole of Whoville were chanting, “We are here. We are here,” as well as a line Horton used throughout the movie, “A person’s a person, no matter how small,” it sends out the message that every single person has the right to live and a right to life.

Rating: 8 / 10

(all images from imdb.com)