Very Cool!!!

Sadly Over-hyped

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

Dr Seuss' zippy rhymes brought generations of children together and this one, with its constant refrain 'a person's a person, no matter how small' is no exception.Beautifully animated, this tale of Horton the friendly elephant takes a step on from the 1940s Merrie Melodie 'Horton Hatches The Egg' and has just as much charm. Horton, a slightly dim but kindly elephant, hears a whole colony of 'Whos' who live in a dust speck housed on a clover head, and seeks to keep them safe from doubters who wish to do them and him harm.Memorable, funny, with bright colours and well-shaped characters such as Jane Kangaroo and the Doctor of Whoville himself, 'Horton Hears A Who' is probably the best of the Dr Seuss films.

Growing up in the '70s, I had vague, but favorable memories of animation like "Horton Hears a Who", "The Lorax", "Dr. Seuss on the Loose (the Sneetches)", and "Rikki Tikki Tavi". After having children of my own, I took up the mission of finding, acquiring and viewing these films with my kids. I discovered all of these children's books converted to animation withstood the test of time and were loved by my boys as much as they were by me (maybe it's a male thing).These cartoons had two things that 21st century remakes (e.g. Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") don't have: 1.) they respected the original but built upon it (Dr. Seuss/Ted Geisel and Chuck Jones complement each other with their own unique contributions); and, 2.) they focused on well-founded ethical points that many films today lack. Writers and directors today could learn something from these animated features. Namely, when producing films targeted at children and their parents (e.g. "Shrek 2"), subtlety, and a good story beats ostentatious effects and double entendre wisecracks any day.My intent is neither to trash the remakes that are ubiquitous in Hollywood (I liked "Shrek", "Shrek 2" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"), nor is it to wallow in the nostalgia of my childhood. It simply is my opinion that these old cartoons deserve a second look. If you enjoy illustrated entertainment like comics, children's books and cartoons you (and your kids) will enjoy "Horton Hears a Who".

...you'll enjoy this small counterpart accompanied with the feature cartoon of 1966 narrated by Boris Karloff, adapted onto the big screen in 2000 with Jim Carrey.It's good fun, but lacking the warmth of "The Grinch," and not something, I think, that will become a family tradition -- especially since it doesn't take place around the holidays. It's a good cartoon, though, with a pretty fun song in it.4/5 stars.John Ulmer

I saw both of these TV specials as a kid. I was 8 when How the Grinch Stole Christmas! premiered and 12 when Horton Hears a Who premiered.And I wondered then and wonder still As children do and adults willIf those kind Whos in the Grinch's show Are the same that Horton hears, you know?Then this would mean to one and all That Whos are not the only ones smallAnd that big, gruesome, greedy Grinch Who seeks the Whos' Yule for to pinch Is towered over by an INCH!Did Seuss mean for Whoville to be The same in either show we see?I've pondered this and ponder still As adults may and children willThe Whos we meet in Grinch's show Are kindly folks we'd like to knowBut those we see mock Dr. Whovey Are arrogant and not so groovy!Seuss never linked the Whos for us So you may ask why I make fussI simply think his brain sublime Would create different pronoun rhyme If those Whos weren't the same, cor blime!