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Gloss for the Seuss

When it comes to Dr. Seuss adaptations, it's nigh on impossible to trump 1966's animated holiday perennial "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!", with its classic, low-res animation and pitch-perfect Boris Karloff narration. As Ron Howard's 2000 live-action attempt proved, it's wiser not to even try (even with Jim Carrey covered head-to-toe in green fur as the green meanie of the title). "Horton Hears a Who!" - a computer-animated adaptation of the 1954 Seuss favorite about an imaginative elephant's belief in life on a speck of dust - may not have the staying power of "The Grinch", but it's sure to occupy a space in the (Blu-ray Disc) library of many a tyke. And the adults will have plenty of fun watching it too.

It turns out Ron Howard had the right idea, just the wrong medium. Jim Carrey is perfect for those playfully acrobatic Seussian rhymes. But his place is behind a mic, not covered in prosthetics (the same could be said for Mike Myers in "The Cat in the Hat"). As Horton, Mr. Carrey is able to employ his usual rapid-fire vocal antics, turning up the wide-eyed innocence which has been known to lapse into schmaltz in the past (i.e., "The Majestic"). Not so in "Horton", however, thanks in large part to the clever, non-stop script by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul ("The Santa Clause 2"). "Horton" keeps the Seuss text in voice-over (natch) and injects its characters with a distinctly modern patois (lots of "awesomes" and a few "dudes" are thrown in). There's even a wildly inspired Manga-esque sequence and an out-of-left-field rendition of "Can't Fight This Feeling" which feels like is belongs at the end of a Judd Apatow comedy.

As in the original tale, the plot is set in motion when a speck of dust floats by the ear of the titular pachyderm. The sound emanates from the town (or is it a planet?) of Whoville, peopled by those classic pear-shaped Seuss creations brought beautifully to life here in pristine not-too-busy animation. In short order, Horton establishes communication with the Whos, led by the Mayor (Steve Carell, a fine vocal partner for Mr. Carrey), and the elephant makes it his mission to keep the Who-world safe from harm. Complicating things are a close-minded kangaroo (voiced by none other than Carol Burnett) and an accented Vulture (Will Arnett), who may be enough to scare some little ones.

As with the best Seuss stories, there's a lot at work here. Themes of faith, loyalty and some wicked metaphysics float by like so many specks of dust. While it never gets too heavy (except perhaps when they threaten to "rope and cage" Horton), and though there are some mixed messages in there (don't listen to mom?), it's enough to make you think more than you might except from a G-rated cartoon. Co-directors Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino keep things moving briskly and there's enough going on in the background to warrant repeat viewings. The animation by Blue Sky Studios is flawlessly gorgeous. Of course, it helps that the filmmakers are working from such rich source material. It all comes together in a delightful, bouncy 88 minutes that parents and kids can enjoy. I hear more than a Who. I hear a hit.