Horton Hears A Who!

The genius of Jim Carrey is so evident in the film Horton Hears A Who , the latest Dr Seuss classic to hit the big screen.
For a book published over 50 years ago, in 1954, Horton stands up very well to modern day and even uses some pop culture references (the Apocolypse Now one comes to mind).
On the fifteenth of May, in the Jungle of Nool, In the heat of the day, in the cool of the pool, He was splashing ... enjoying the jungle's great joys . . When Horton the elephant heard a small noise.
The central message of the book/film is simple - everybody matters regardless of who they are - and it is repeated many times as `a person's a person, no matter how small'.
Animating this film was a masterstroke, getting Carrey (who played the Grinch in the live action film a few years back) was another because it is his film.
Horton is so loveable, whimsical, and he is dedicated to saving the people of Whoville, who live on a speck of dust.
The animators turned the elephant Horton into Carrey and it works (at this point I should mention I'm a big fan) as he goes against the way of the jungle (run by an evil Kangaroo voiced by the wonderful Carol Burnett) which says `if you can't see it and can't hear it, it doesn't exist' to ensure the safety of the Whos, even though no-one else believes they exist.
The Mayor Of Whoville (Steve Carrell) has similar problems. He can hear Horton but no one believes him.
I think there is a definite parallel with Christianity here in two places. The people of Whoville don't believe in the voice from the sky who is trying to protect them. It's the old question of faith. More telling though, I think, is the reference to a speck.
I'm talking from Matthew 7:3-5 which says `Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye....' The jungle animals are far too attentive to the `speck' Horton is carrying to pay attention to the `planks' which prevent them from seeing the truth.
I think the whole film carries a wonderful message, it's fun to watch and also funny and is great for people of all ages. There's a hilarious rendition of REO Speedwagon's classic Can't Fight This Feeling thrown in as well. Dr Seuss would be very proud. Easily the best thing I've seen so far this year and a 9 out of 10.