Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax-Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and the Lost Forest (2012)

Directed by: Chris Renaud, Kyle Balda | 86 minutes | animation, family, fantasy | Original Voice Cast: Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle, Betty White | Dutch voice cast: Frits Lambrechts, Ferry Doedens, Marly van der Velden, René van Kooten, Willeke Alberti, Isa Hoes

‘The Lorax’ is an American animated film of which you expect a lot in advance. The film is based on a story by the popular Dr. Seuss, whose ‘Horton Hears a Who!’ already produced an original and relatively in-depth film. Chris Renaud, (co-)director of ‘The Lorax’, has also previously made the witty and cheerful ‘Despicable Me’. Both films were a welcome change at a time when the American animation world largely opted for the safe formula work.

It certainly won’t be the story of ‘The Lorax’. In a futuristic town, all the greenery has disappeared, so that the richest man in town earns his money by selling fresh air. Then young Ted discovers the world beyond the city walls, a desolate plain where only a creature called The Once-ler lives. He tells Ted how it is that the trees have disappeared from the area, and with the trees the protector of the forest, the Lorax. As befits any animation hero, Ted goes in search of the last tree. Not for idealistic motives, but to win over the beautiful Audrey.

This original story did not lead to an original movie. ‘The Lorax’ seems to have drawn more inspiration from previous animation successes than from Dr. seuss. Here we have yet another animation hero with a mild form of ADHD, we see three singing fish (‘Flushed Away’, anyone?), we see worn animation slapstick and cheerful, clumsy, but especially cuddly animal stuff. With the bonus of a very fat moral.

So not very original, but at least the makers don’t deliver uninspired work. There are some nice jokes, the songs you sing along right away and the universe of ‘The Lorax’ looks colorful and imaginative. And luckily, 3D still adds something, with well-timed effects and some nice chases.

Despite those positives, ‘The Lorax’ hasn’t turned out to be the magical animation experience you’d hoped for. The film doesn’t come close to eco-animation like ‘Spirited Away’ and ‘Wall-E’ and also lags behind predecessors ‘Despicable Me’ and ‘Horton Hears a Who!’. Adjusting expectations is then the motto. Then you have a film that is pleasant to watch for an hour and a half.

After which you forgot him again within an hour and a half.