The Lorax," which opens in theaters Friday, is the latest adaptation of a classic Dr. Seuss children's book. Dr. Thedor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, created wonderful rhyming books that have delighted children and parents alike for decades. His books, although not moralistic, frequently introduced issues like prejudice, consumerism, and aging to children, albeit in a sweet and humorous way.
His classic book "The Lorax," first published in 1971, touched on pollution and the environment. The story follows a young boy who lives in a smoggy, dirty world. He visits a person called the "Once-ler," who tells him that the world was once bright and beautiful and full of Truffula trees, fish, birds, and other animals. But the Once-ler cut down all the trees, despite the warnings of a creature called the Lorax:
"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees."
The release date (March 2) of "The Lorax" coincides with the 108th birthday of Dr. Seuss. The movie stars the vocal talents of Danny DeVito as the Lorax, Zac Efron as the boy Ted, and Ed Helms as the Once-ler. Characters that don't appear in the book have also been added, including Taylor Swift as Audrey, a girl Ted likes, and Betty White as Grammy Norma, Ted's grandmother.
There has been criticism of the film from both liberal and conservative camps, citing the film's marketing with Mazda, IHOP, and others as in direct opposition to the book's original message and intent. Conservatives like Lou Dobbs have claimed that the environmental message is an attempt to "indoctrinate our children." But maybe what is most interesting is that we have yet another adaptation of a Seuss classic to contend with.
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