If I were the Once-ler
Watching movies can sometimes feel like a mindless activity, but animated children’s movies provide a moral compass for viewers in a creative way. The first time I went to see The Lorax in the movie theatre, I was in awe of the colorful trees, catchy songs, and storyline.
Growing up, Dr. Suess's books had been my favorite books to read, and seeing a live take on one of my favorite books felt like the best thing in the world! The Lorax came out when I was 8 and captivated my attention with striking visuals.
The movie is set in the fictional, consumerist land of Thneedville, and while its inhabitants seem happy-go-lucky, the world outside of Thneedville is dying. The main theme regarding environmental degradation was highlighted in the film, and since then, prevalent societal themes have caught my attention in other animated children’s movies as well.
This topic is important because more and more parents are limiting screen time for kids, and advocating against children’s films such as Cinderella, Peter Pan, and The Jungle Book for many different reasons.
Exposing children to sensitive topics through children’s movies is important because these films help educate viewers on societal and historical issues.
