For movies night we chose the new version of The Lorax.
I like the book and the original movie version. I don't love them. They are a little preachy for my tastes, but they are still good Suesian fun,
I don't dislike the new version. On its own, it is a fun, well executed kids movie. It is still preachy, but the core message of protecting nature is good.
When considered as a remake, or reimagining, of the original, the new version is a mess.
First off, it does not move the story forward in any meaningful way. The new animation is good, but so what. The reframing of the story actually detracts from the core message.
Second, the reframing of the story is terrible, The hero becomes a slacker kid who saves the trees for a girl? The Lorax forgives the Onceler for doing nothing for a long time and then giving the seed to a slacker, love sick kid? Seriously? Why doesn't the Onceler come down from his tower and atone by planting the tree? Why not make the girl, who actually cares about the trees, the hero of the story?
My opinion is that if you want to see The Lorax, see the original. The remake is fine, but nothing special,
