There are handful of family movies that demand the description "also suitable for adults". It is rare to find children entertainment that engages adults on an intellectual level. Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is a film production based on a book of by Dr. Seuss of the same name. Having never read it, I can't make any comparisons between the two genres with validity.
In summary, the movie is about a 12-year boy in search for a tree to win the affection of his beloved, Audrey. His grandmother suggests he meets Once-ler, who could help him in his quest. Ted discovers that Once-ler lives outside the walls of Thweed-ville, a barren and empty wasteland. The Once-ler agrees to help Ted on the condition he listens to his story about the Lorax over multiple visits. Ted agrees, even thought the nature-hating mayor of Thweed-ville, Aloysius O'Hare, who is also the CEO of a bottled oxygen company, pressures him to stay in town.
In Once-ler's recollections, the viewers realize that Once-ler was a young and idealistic businessman with big dreams for his product, the thweed. He packs his belongings and leaves home and his unsupportive family to fight for his dream. He reaches a valley abundant with trees and decides to set camp and start his business there. After chopping one tree he meets an angry, yet sweet creature, the Lorax, who being the guardian of the land objects to any logging in the land. The young business man agrees. He introduces a revolutionary new invention made from the tufts of the Truffula Trees, the thneed. It becomes a major success and Once-ler's family is brought in to help with the business.
The Once-ler keeps his promise at first, but due to the demand and the greed and laziness of his relatives, he resumes logging much to Lorax's dismay. As a result, the forest is completely depleted. All the creatures relocate, leaving the once prosperous Once-ler poor and in agony.
The story ends with Once-ler's gift of the last Truffula Seed to be planted in town. O'Hare finds out Ted's intentions and chases with the intent of destroying the last seed, but he fails. With much encouragement from the townsmen, the single tree is planted. The message being is to care.
I couldn't help, but draw some parallels to today's world. The movie had an obvious "love nature" paradigm, but it was also made not -so-subtle and pointed remarks on the culture of cooperations and mass production. In the age of rising costs of gas, we think about the true nature of supply and demand and whether the gas prices truly reflect the geo-political tensions in today's world or just a game for the oil companies.
