Must have been less than enamored if they saw the latest Dr. Seuss Installment: Horton hears a Who!I don't ever recall reading this particular Dr. Seuss book as a child, but I wish I had now. This evening Julie and I went to see Horton hears a Who, and I was pleasantly surprised at many of the Biblical themes woven into the fabric of this film.
Primarily, the idea that faith is not some cosmic allusion, but rather a sensible and normal way of approaching life. In the movie Horton, a big, lovable and goofy elephant, discovers that there is an entire world living in a 'speck' that rests on a purple clover. The Mayor of this little world, McDodd, discovers that there is a giant elephant holding the clover that supports his little world. As you can imagine it is hard for McDodd to wrap his mind around the thought, even harder to convince his family and friends of the 'greater' existence beyond Whoville.
Naturally there is an antagonist, the kangaroo that takes a hard-line naturalist view. "If you can't see, hear or feel something, it doesn't exist!" she insists. But her dogmatism is shown to be unfair and motivated by fear of losing control over the other jungle creatures.
Additionally, the book and the movie are pro-life.
"Horton the movie holds hands with Horton the book in terms of one main theme: "Even though you can't see them or hear them at all, a person's a person, no matter how small!" Theodor Seuss Geisel penned this noble premise back in 1954, and the idea of caring for the tiny and powerless is even more meaningful today in the aftermath of Roe v. Wade.
Horton acts as protector and defender of those who can't protect and defend themselves, even in the face of persecution. At one point, he is given the opportunity to escape ridicule and punishment if he will only deny the Whos' existence and end his quest to deliver them to a safe home. He refuses to denounce his small friends. Filmmakers import a line from companion Seuss book Horton Hatches the Egg to reinforce his resolve. It reads, "I meant what I said and I said what I meant: An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent!"" - Plugged In
Horton acts as protector and defender of those who can't protect and defend themselves, even in the face of persecution. At one point, he is given the opportunity to escape ridicule and punishment if he will only deny the Whos' existence and end his quest to deliver them to a safe home. He refuses to denounce his small friends. Filmmakers import a line from companion Seuss book Horton Hatches the Egg to reinforce his resolve. It reads, "I meant what I said and I said what I meant: An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent!"" - Plugged In
Parents, this one is definitely a good one, with the right worldview for your kids to see.
- Brad
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