If you’ve been wondering which Dr. Seuss book would be hitting theaters next, the big news is out! On March 2, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax will be transformed and brought to life on the big screen for all of us to enjoy. The Lorax will fast become a must see family film that parents and kids will likely love for generations to come with catchy music and a plot everyone can enjoy all wrapped around a message of protecting the environment.
The movie drew me in immediately with a very catchy opening song and colorful imagery, and I was hooked for the entire film. The story follows a 12 year old boy named Ted (voiced by Zac Efron) on his journey to find a real living tree to give to his dream girl Audrey (voiced by Taylor Swift).
On Ted’s quest, he finds himself on a wild adventure to plant the last Truffula Tree seed in his town.
Flashbacks during the movie tell the story of the Lorax and the Truffula trees. When a young entrepreneur plans to make useless thneeds (one of many fun Dr. Seuss words) out of trees, the Lorax desperately tries to stop him. The man ignores his warnings and destroys the land around him. Now it’s up to Ted to keep the Truffula trees from disappearing forever. Of course, the movie thickens the plot with an added villian Mr. O’Hare who will stop at nothing to make sure the town is full of fake trees, bottled air, and polluted water.
I was impressed how the movie shared a very serious message in a light-hearted way that kids of all ages will enjoy while still grasping the bigger moral of the story. I think parents will find The Lorax a great conversation-starter with their kids on the importance of going green and this will trigger families to talk about ideas on how they can help make a difference.
Kids will love the movie for the clever story and fun songs, and parents will feel great about the valuable lesson portrayed throughout the tale. You won’t want to miss sharing this movie with your kids and maybe even with the adults in your life. I know I left that movie theater feeling inspired myself to think twice before I forget to recycle my plastic bottles. Every little bit counts.
Side note: For those Despicable Me fans, if you listen close enough, you can catch a few humorous references (hint: check out the Converse shoes). Make a game out if and see who in your family finds the most!
Watch and share The Lorax trailer on Facebook! Watch clips, play games, get free mobile downloads and download printables!
THE LORAX is now on Pinterest! Browse the film’s boards at http://pinterest.com/
Take a peek at the trailer here:
Disclosure: Thanks to Universal Pictures for paying for my travel expenses to attend the press junket for The Lorax – which hits theaters in 3D on March 2nd, 2012. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Look for a Movie review: The Lorax entertains while telling a powerful message on eBay - maybe you'll get lucky and find a great bargain!
We got a sneak peek at a screener copy of the new Thoms & Friends: The Great Discovery movie soon to be released on DVD on 9/9/08. This is the 1st full length movie style release for Thomas – all about Thomas discovering and then restoring a long lost town on Sodor. I would recommend this over any other Thomas dvd’s we’ve ever reviewed. I found it a more exciting adventure for sure! As expected my 2.5 year old was enthralled, but what parents will like best is that Pierce Brosnan of 007 fame was the narrator. Very cool. And I totally got a kick out of the cheeky “train like” play on expressions and exclaimations used again and again. For more information, click 
With Kenzie turning 3 this coming month, Disney Princesses galore infiltrates almost every activity and conversation during our play. So Kenzie could not have been more thrilled with our sneak peak at Disney’s 50th Anniversary Platinum edition of Sleeping Beauty – which will release next week on 10/8/08. We’ve watched this dvd at least 3 times (although not always all at once) over the past 5 days and she adores it. I highly recommend this DVD for all any little girl who is crazy for Disney Princess. What makes Sleeping Beauty really special for my Kenzie is that this classic movie literally matches her classic fairy tale storybook, that was mine when I was a little girl some 29 years ago…. The characters look identical to those in her book and the movie pretty much follows the storyline exactly – but for one impressive scene where the wicked fairy calls on “naughty pigs” to tie up Prince Phillip. We love this movie and I’m sure you will too. This is a perfect gift to give or receive before Disney puts it back in the “vault”. For more information, click 
I am BEYOND impressed with the Barbie and the Diamond Castle DVD ! As a mother of a 3 year old, I’d call myself new to the "Barbie" DVD franchise – so I was not sure what to expect. This story about two best friends – with fantastic music – had a beautiful message about friendship and I found it totally entertaining for Moms and truly exciting and captivating for my Mackenzie. Usually with new movies, I try to watch them with Mackenzie so I can answer her questions and we can discuss the story. Near the end of the movie when it was not certain the friends would "escape", Kenzie was enthralled and a bit nervous about the outcome, but I re-assured her that it would all work out and that the drama is what made the movie so exciting. At 3 years old, she appreciated my vote for the "happy ending"! She’s been talking about this movie non-stop for the past 5 days and I know we’ll be watching it again and again – and I suspect she’ll be asking Santa for some of these new "Barbie" Diamond Castle toys. I’ve got my eye on a Barbie learning laptop I saw in the store the other day that I’m sure she’ll love! Seriously, I was just thrilled with the plot of this movie, the message about friendship, and seeing a "fresh" new princess tale. Classy Mommy Approved! For more information, click 
Kung Fu Panda is a movie the entire family will love. I watched it with my 3 year old and both of us were equally captivated by this fantastic tale. Loved the animation, fight scenes, and the key message about accepting others who are different from you and the inherent theme that you should never give up on following your dreams. Not to mention, you really can’t beat Jack Black in this starring role! A perfect holiday gift for anyone 3 and up. For more information, click 
Wall-E is another DVD pick for the entire family. Kenzie at age 3 was fascinated by Wall-E, the rocketships, outserspace, robots, and Planet Earth. She found 
,~2,I remember watching (and loving!) Fraggle Rock as a kid and being totally fascinated by those little critters! Now you can enjoy all four seasons of the iconic Fraggle Rock show with The Fraggle Rock Complete Series Collection boxed DVD set. I always love sharing my old favorites with my 3 year old to see if she loves the same things I did back in the 80′s. Featuring 20 discs and 96 hours the boxed set is loaded with bonus extras including a fascinating behind-the-scenes look with Jim Henson.,~3, For more information, click 
Recently released on DVD, Horton Hears a Who! is sure to excite both parents and kids anxious to see the Dr.Seuss classic come to life on film. We were able to see a review copy a few weeks ago and I loved hearing Jim Carrey play Horton and my beloved Steve Carell of "The Office" fame play the Mayor of Whoville. This imaginative tale is sure to delight the Dr. Seuss fans, parents, and kids 5 and up. For more information, click 
