Movie: The Lorax

It’s a deforestation fable about an industrialized society’s effects on the environment. And it’s a family film: Dr. Seuss' The Lorax.

Zac Efron is the voice of Ted, a 12-year-old living in a not-so-environmentally friendly world. He wants to get his sweetheart, Audrey (Taylor Swift), a real tree to win her over.

Ted sets out for the one person, or thing, that will help him out: an orange, mustachioed environmentalist known as the Lorax, an optimistic guardian of the forest who “speaks for the trees” and sounds suspiciously like Danny DeVito.

The supporting cast of voice actors counters the environmental gloom and doom. The colors are bright, the look is Seussian, and there is something to be said about the movie’s anti-greed message.

It's kind of absurd at times, but the common-sense philosophy that each one of us, in some small way, can change the world is pretty cool.

Sure, it's rambunctious and fanciful, but it's a film the entire family can go see.

So the flick-o-meter gives The Lorax four out of five. The Lorax barks up the right tree.

Showtimes: Cherokee 16 Cinemas

Check out all the showtimes and pricing on the Cinemas 16 website.

Dinner: Menchies

Splurge a little before seeing this family flick at Menchies. Let the kids make their own topping creation of sprinkles, candies, fruits, syrups and cereals. It's a perfect setup for seeing an imaginative Dr. Seuss movie for Read Across America Day.