Based on the 1954 children's book by Dr. Seuss, HORTON HEARS A WHO! is a 2008 computer-animated Hollywood update of the beloved illustrated tale. Horton (voiced by Jim Carrey), a thoughtful elephant living in the jungle of Nool, discovers that an entire society, Whoville, rests inside a speck. He gently rests it on a clover flower, and searches for a place where it will be safe from the perils of the larger world. Establishing contact with Whoville's befuddled mayor (Steve Carell), Horton faces disbelief from his animal friends, including his blue mouse pal, Morton (Seth Rogen), and unwittingly incurs the wrath of an uptight kangaroo (Carol Burnett), setting the playful pachyderm on a journey to the most remote parts of Nool, with malicious vultures and monkeys not far behind.
Executive produced by Chris Wedge, the creator of ICE AGE, and directed by Steve Martino and Jimmy Hayward, this CGI take on Seuss (aka Theodore Geisel) is the first 21st-century adaptation to hew closely to the artist's true spirit and visual style. While Carrey, Carell, Burnett, and the rest of the vocal talent (also including Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, and Jonah Hill) contribute lively performances, the animation is the real focus of the film, displaying a stunning array of colorful characters and landscapes that capture Seuss's wonderfully whimsical aesthetic. Though Seuss loyalists might be dismayed by some liberties taken (particularly a Japanese anime-style interlude and a brief musical number set to a REO Speedwagon hit), the movie's heart is in the right place, resulting in a topnotch family feature.
DVD Features:
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
Dolby Digital Surround - French, Spanish
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Jimmy Hayward, Steve Martino - Directors
2. Jim Carrey - Star; Steve Carell - Star
Bonus Short - Ice Age Short: Surviving Sid
Deleted Scenes - 13 Deleted Scenes with Introduction jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino
Featurette - 1. Watch Horton Hears a Who! with Who
2.Beyond Animation
3. The Voice of Horton: Jim Carrey
4. That's One Big Elephant
5. The Genesis of Katie
6. Your World is Changing, Too!
7. How Does Horton Hear?
8. A Person is a Person - Practical Life Lessons
9. Is It Seuss?
Trailers - Forced Trailers
Interactive Features:
BD-J Game - We Are Here!
Text/Photo Galleries:
Introduction to Animation Screen Tests with Animator Nick Bruno
23-Animation Screen Tests
Disc 2: Digital Copy
Executive Producer
Audrey Geisel: Executive Producer, HORTON HEARS A WHO
Source Writer
Dr. Seuss: American Children's Writer, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Voice
Amy Poehler: Actress, WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER (2001)
Voice
Carol Burnett: Actress, comedienne, THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW
Voice
Dan Fogler: Star, BALLS OF FURY (2007)
Voice
Dane Cook: American Standup Comedian/Actor, EMPLOYEEE OF THE MONTH
Voice
Isla Fisher: Actor, SCOOBY-DOO (2002)
Voice
Jaime Pressly: American actor, NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE/My Name is Earl
Voice
Jesse McCartney:
Voice
Jim Carrey: Canadian Actor/Comedian
Voice
Jonah Hill: Actor, ACCEPTED (2006)
Voice
Josh Flitter: Actor
Voice
Laura Ortiz: Actress
Voice
Seth Rogen: Actor/screenwriter, KNOCKED UP
Voice
Steven Carell: Actor, BRUCE ALMIGHTY (2003)
Voice
Will Arnett: Actor
Executive Producer
Christopher Meledandri:
Review 1:
"The look of the story is an undeniable treat, and the message it weaves is both funny and sweet....Razzle-dazzling and artful..."
Source: USA Today
03/13/2008
Review 2:
"[T]he movie retains much of the gentleness and sincerity of the book..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
03/14/2008
Review 3:
"[T]rue to the Seuss vision, with a contemporary integrity that makes full use of CG power without sacrificing the delicacy of the author's springy, zingy illustrations."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.42 03/21/2008
Review 4:
3 stars out of 5 -- "Carrey and Carrell are nicely understated....Genuinely amusing....This WHO is easily as good as the sum of its parts."
Source: Empire
p.62 05/01/2008