The harebrained title doesn’t exactly fill one with a desire to rush out for a ticket, but then this is a Dr Seuss adaptation, so I guess anything goes. When Horton the elephant (voice of Jim Carrey) hears a high-pitched plea for help emenating from a ‘speck’ that drifts past his over-sized ears, he’s convinced it’s not a figment of his imagination.

Cue tracking shot into the bowels of the speck where we alight upon the inhabitants of the wacky, microscopic town of Who-ville. It emerges that even a puff of wind could cause havoc here so, following a request from Who-ville’s Mayor, the happy-go-lucky pachyderm takes charge and spends most of the film protecting it, much to the consternation of a matronly kangaroo who, in one of several references to faith and morality, believes his wild imaginings will soil the minds of the young.

Blue Sky Studio’s latest CGI creation is aimed squarely at youngsters who’ll appreciate the jocular banter, cute characters, rich colour palette and fanciful backdrops. But what a shame there’s so much padding.

Director: Jimmy Hayward, Steve Martino

Time Out rating: 3/6

Source: Time Out London Issue 1961 March 20-26 2008