Horton Hears a Who

Based on the book by Dr. Seuss, starring (the voices of) Jim Carrey as Horton, Steve Carell as the Mayor of Whoville, Carol Burnett as the uptight Kangaroo, Will Arnett as Vlad (the vulcher) and Seth Rogen as Morton (the mouse).

Horton Hears a Who is about perspective and faith.

Kangaroo is the chief skeptic of the jungle. Her favorite phrase: "If you can't see it, or hear it, or touch it, then it doesn't exist." She can't imagine any other world than the one she's familiar with and she doesn't want to imagine any world she can't manipulate for her own ends.

Horton can't see Whoville, but he knows what he heard. No one else can hear what Horton hears because their ears aren't as powerful as his.

It seems harmless enough to claim to have heard a microscopic person, but somehow this threatens Kangaroo's sense of control. She cannot tolerate anything that threatens her small-minded world. Indeed, she maintains control over her surroundings by advocating small-mindedness.

Eventually the Whos make enough noise to break through to the other animals, but it is Horton who fights the good fight for not compromising his convictions in the face of rejection, discouragement and even physical danger.

We have long since discovered that our world is a speck in comparison with the rest of the universe. Compared to us, the universe is infinitely huge. Scientists have to invent new numbers in their attempts to quantify the number of planets, stars and galaxies floating around out there. We are also discovering more about the painstaking details of God's creation. We have yet to comprehend the particles that make up the world around us or the forces that hold them all together.

As both Horton and the Mayor discover, there are signs all around us that hint at a higher Power. Those with eyes to see (or big elephant ears to hear) acknowledge this. Some signs are small, like whispers from a speck of dust. Others are as powerful earthquakes or as far reaching as night and day. It is often inconvenient to acknowledge these signs, but blessed are those who keep the faith despite opposition from the majority, which is made of skeptics and and their followers.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Sermon on the Mount)

11 comments:

D Herrod said...

One the first things I noticed from the movie were spiritual applications.

Mama Grizzly said...

What an interesting connection - I have always loved the book and the original movie. But, I've never connected it to faith - I like that!

Anonymous said...

Our family loved this movie. We went to see it two times already!

Dane said...

I just approved your comment on my blog. I must say, I like what you're doing here. Keep up the good work. I saw quite a few spiritual implications in this movie as well. I loved the moment in the movie where the Mayor realizes that the voice he is listening to just might be right about everything. I get that feeling every time God shows me that he is sooo much bigger. It's like I want to just shrink into nonexistence instead of face the big, undeniable truth.

Lela said...

What a wonderful take on an already wonderful story!

May I also point out that the oft repeated "A person's a person, no matter how small" can also be interpretted through faith, as God loves each and every one of us and knows the number of hairs on our heads, even sees when the lowliest sparrow falls? :)

Anonymous said...

I can definetly relate to the Kangaroo's world perspective..

issa said...

Hi Patrick! Thanks for visiting my site. Your reviews on movies are worth reading since you're doing it on a spiritual level. Keep it up :)

Jo said...

"My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind." ... Albert Einstein

What an interesting perspective you have pointed out in this movie.

Jeb said...

I've never connected it to faith, thanks for putting that up! I really enjoy reading your blog as I'm a big movie fan too. Keep up the good work!

Unknown said...

I don't get to watch to many movies, but we did make it to the theater to see this one. When I saw it, I immediately connected to what you were saying. How refreshing it is to see something with such obvious faith issues come out of Hollywood!

DP said...

i was watching the movie and thought about your blog immediately. You echoed my thoughts exactly. I am sure some atheist would try to link it to global warming or something. you are spot on.