Dinner and a Movie: 'The Lorax' Gives Dr. Seuss a Modern Makeover

Editor's Note — Dinner and a Movie is our newest feature on Roseville Patch. Every Friday, we'll give you a quick review of a new movie, where and when it plays and a dinner idea to go along with it.

Dinner: Make your own environmental statement by indulging in some vegan cuisine at . Try the . You can also expect to spend less than you would at some other eateries. A sandwich with a drink such as tea or a smoothie will cost you around $10 per person.

Showtimes: "The Lorax" plays at United Artists Olympus Pointe Stadium 12 on N. Sunrise Avenue at 11:20 a.m., 1:10 p.m., 1:40 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:20 p.m., 8:40 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. It also shows at the same movie theater in 3D at 12:20 p.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:50 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 8:10 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.

Review: It's a deforestation fable about the effects of an industrialized society and its effects on the environment. Sounds a bit complicated, but it is a family film: Dr. Seuss's "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 (voiced by Taylor Swift), a real tree to win her over. Ted then sets out in search of 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 environmental gloom and doom is countered quite nicely by a supporting cast of voice actors. The colors are bright, the look is very Dr. Seussian, and there is something to be said about the anti-greed message the movie projects.

It's kind of absurd at times, but the common-sense philosophy that each one of us can change the world, even just a little bit, is pretty cool.

So the flick-o-meter gives "The Lorax" four out of five. Sure it's rambunctious and fanciful, but I am thumbs up when it's a film the entire family can go see. "The Lorax" barks up the right tree.

—Roseville Patch staff contributed to this story.

Film critic Brett Martin gives his take on a new release. See all Brett's reviews at www.flickedup.com, or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brettervideo.

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