“They Just Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To”
“Horton Hears a Hoo” is the latest Hollywood attempt to cash in on the legacy of Dr. Seuss. This follows two live action films - one mediocre (”How The Grinch Stole Christmas”) and one catastrophically bad (”The Cat In The Hat”). “Horton” is neither - it’s a solid effort, compared to the other two. And yet…
Each of the films features the latest in makeup, special effects, and animation. Each features famous comedic actors. And yet…
Each of the films stretches out the original source material into full-length features, but don’t match the quality of their respective half-hour TV versions. And yet…
NONE of them are as good as this 10-minute Looney Tunes animation of “Horton Hatches The Egg,” circa 1942. In 65 years Dr. Seuss features have REGRESSED.
What makes it better? Two things - the classic animation is top-notch, and the screenplay STICKS TO THE ORIGINAL SOURCE MATERIAL. Special effects and makeup can’t make up for a lame screenplay.
Remember: Sometimes innovation doesn’t pay dividends unless it’s applied in the right places.
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