The Lorax (film)

{{redirect|Dr. Seuss' The Lorax|the book|The Lorax{{!}}The Lorax|the TV special|The Lorax (TV special){{!}}The Lorax (TV special)|other uses|Lorax (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox film

| image = Lorax teaser poster.jpg

| alt = An orange poster with the Lorax's face in the center.

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Chris Renaud

| screenplay = Cinco Paul
Ken Daurio

| based_on = {{Based on|The Lorax|Dr. Seuss}}

| producer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| editing = {{Plainlist|

Steven Liu
Claire Dodgson
Ken Schretzmann

}}

| music = John Powell

| studio = {{Plainlist|

Universal Pictures{{cite web |title=Dr Suess' The Lorax |url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/film379839.html |website=Filmaffinity |access-date=24 July 2024}}
Illumination Entertainment

}}

| distributor = Universal Pictures

| released = {{Film date|2012|02|19|Universal Studios Hollywood|2012|03|02|United States}}

| runtime = 86 minutes{{cite web | title=DR. SEUSS' THE LORAX (U) | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/dr-seuss-lorax-2012-0 | work=British Board of Film Classification | date=May 4, 2012 | access-date=July 4, 2013 | archive-date=May 8, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508030341/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/dr-seuss-lorax-2012-0 | url-status=live }}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $70 million

| gross = $351.4 million

}}

The Lorax (also known as Dr. Seuss' The Lorax) is a 2012 American animated musical fantasy comedy film produced by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, and distributed by Universal. The film is the second screen adaptation of Dr. Seuss' 1971 children's book The Lorax following the 1972 animated television special. Directed by Chris Renaud, co-directed by Kyle Balda, produced by Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy and written by the writing team of Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio (who also served as executive producers alongside Dr. Seuss' widow Audrey Geisel), it stars the voices of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Rob Riggle, Jenny Slate and Betty White.

The film builds on the book by expanding the story of the Lorax and Ted, the previously unnamed boy who visits the Once-ler. The idea for the film was initiated by Geisel, who had an established partnership with Meledandri from a collaboration on Horton Hears a Who! (2008). Geisel approached Meledandri with the idea when he launched Illumination. The film was officially announced in 2009 with the creative team attached, and by 2010, DeVito was cast as the titular character. John Powell composed the score, and also wrote the film's songs alongside Paul. The animation was produced in France by the studio Illumination Mac Guff (the animation department of Mac Guff that was acquired by Illumination in 2011).

The Lorax globally premiered at Universal Studios in Hollywood on February 19, 2012, and was theatrically released in the United States on March 2, in IMAX, 3D (known in the film exclusively as "Tree-D") and 2D. Critics praised the animation, music and voice acting but criticized the characters and story, while the marketing received backlash for its perceived contradictions to the book's original message. Despite these criticisms, The Lorax was a commercial success, grossing $351 million worldwide against a budget of $70 million.

Plot

Twelve-year-old Ted Wiggins lives in Thneedville, a walled city where all vegetation is artificial. Ted is infatuated with a teenage girl named Audrey and decides to impress her with a "real tree". His grandmother, Norma, tells him about a reclusive man known as the "Once-ler", who is said to know what happened to the trees. Ted leaves Thneedville and discovers that the land outside of his home town is a barren, contaminated wasteland. He finds the Once-ler, who agrees to tell Ted the story of the trees over multiple visits. The next time he tries to leave town, Ted encounters Thneedville's greedy mayor, Aloysius O'Hare, whose company sells the bottled air that is the town’s only source of fresh oxygen. Explaining that trees and the oxygen they produce pose a threat to his business, O'Hare tries to intimidate Ted into staying in town, but Ted continues to visit the Once-ler.

The Once-ler recounts how, as a young inventor, he arrived in a lush forest of Truffula trees. After chopping down a Truffula to create a knitted garment known as a Thneed, he was confronted by the Lorax, the self-proclaimed "guardian of the forest". The Lorax made him promise not to cut down any more trees. The Once-ler harvested the Truffula tufts in a sustainable manner until his unscrupulous relatives arrived to help him with his business and convinced him to resume cutting down trees, which led to large profits, but also deforestation and pollution. After the last tree was cut down, the Once-ler's business folded and the Lorax vanished into the sky, leaving behind a stone platform etched with the word "Unless".

The Once-ler gives Ted the last Truffula seed and urges him to plant it. Ted returns home, but is spotted by O'Hare's city-wide surveillance system. Enlisting the help of Audrey and his family, Ted takes the seed to the center of town. O'Hare rallies the citizens against Ted, saying trees are dangerous and filthy. Ted uses a bulldozer to knock down a section of the city wall, revealing the environmental desolation outside. Inspired by Ted's conviction, the crowd turns on O'Hare, whose henchmen banish him, and the seed is finally planted. As time passes, the land begins to recover, and the Lorax returns.

Cast

Danny DeVito as the Lorax, a mystical orange furry humanoid creature with a yellow moustache, who is both the guardian of the truffula forest and acts as a voice of reason.{{cite web|title=First look: Danny DeVito will stump for trees in 3-D 'Lorax'|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-10-25-Lorax25_ST_N.htm|author=Breznican, Anthony|work=USA Today|date=October 25, 2010|access-date=October 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104173755/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2010-10-25-Lorax25_ST_N.htm|archive-date=November 4, 2012|url-status=live}} DeVito additionally provided the voice of the Lorax in the Italian, European Spanish, German, Catalan and Russian dubs of the film.{{cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |title=Q&A: Danny DeVito speaks for 'The Lorax' -- EXCLUSIVE VIDEO |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/03/01/danny-devito-lorax-languages/ |date=March 1, 2012|access-date=May 7, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Tartaglione |first1=Nancy |title=Actor, Dub Thyself: Daniel Brühl & Danny DeVito On Joy In Voicing Themselves — Cannes |url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/cannes-danny-devito-daniel-bruhl-dubbing-actors-interview-news-1202091800/ |access-date=May 7, 2024 |work=Deadline |date=May 20, 2017}}
Ed Helms as the Once-ler, a reclusive old man and former inventor
Zac Efron as Ted Wiggins, an idealistic 12-year-old boy.{{Cite web |title=Dr. Seuss' The Lorax |url=https://www.illumination.com/movie/the-lorax/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=Illumination Entertainment |language=en-US |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601215545/https://www.illumination.com/movie/the-lorax/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news|author=Sharlette|title=CINEMA WITH SHARLETTE: 'THE LORAX'|url=http://www.etonline.com/sharlette/119649_Cinema_with_Sharlette_The_Lorax/index.html|access-date=June 15, 2013|newspaper=ETonline.com|date=March 5, 2012|quote=In the 3D-CG version of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, we focus on Ted Wiggins, a 12-year-old boy in search of a living tree for the girl he adores.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016030035/http://www.etonline.com/sharlette/119649_Cinema_with_Sharlette_The_Lorax/index.html|archive-date=October 16, 2013}} He is named after the author of the book, Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel).{{cite news|last=Radish|first=Christina|title=10 Things to Know About DR. SEUSS' THE LORAX From Our Editing Room Visit; Plus an Interview with Producer Chris Meledandri|url=https://collider.com/chris-meledandri-dr-seuss-the-lorax-interview/141379/|access-date=January 30, 2012|newspaper=Collider.com|date=January 30, 2012|archive-date=February 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202041421/http://collider.com/chris-meledandri-dr-seuss-the-lorax-interview/141379/|url-status=dead}}
Taylor Swift as Audrey, Ted's love interest. She is named after Audrey Geisel, Dr. Seuss' wife.
Rob Riggle as Aloysius O'Hare, the diminutive and greedy mayor of Thneedville and head of the O'Hare Air company that supplies fresh air to Thneedville residents
Jenny Slate as Mrs. Wiggins, Ted's neurotic mother and Grammy Norma's daughter{{cite news|last=Sytsma|first=Alan|title=Jenny Slate Throws Epic Engagement Parties, Starts Every Morning With Coffee in Bed|url=http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2010/10/jenny_slate_throws_epic_engage.html|access-date=December 26, 2011|newspaper=New York Magazine|date=October 29, 2010|archive-date=September 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918064606/http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2010/10/jenny_slate_throws_epic_engage.html|url-status=live}}
Betty White as Grammy Norma, Ted's wise-cracking grandmother and Mrs. Wiggins's mother{{cite news|last=Goldberg|first=Matt|title=Taylor Swift Joins Voice Cast of THE LORAX; New Image Released|url=https://collider.com/the-lorax-taylor-swift-movie-image/81062/|access-date=August 21, 2011|newspaper=Collider|date=March 17, 2011|archive-date=August 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806140516/https://collider.com/the-lorax-taylor-swift-movie-image/81062/|url-status=dead}}
Nasim Pedrad as Isabella, the Once-ler's mother
Stephen Tobolowsky as Uncle Ubb, the Once-ler's uncle
Elmarie Wendel as Aunt Grizelda, the Once-ler's aunt. This was Wendel's final film role before her death on July 21, 2018.
Danny Cooksey as Brett and Chet, the Once-ler's dim-witted twin brothers
Joel Swetow as the 1st Marketing Guy
Michael Beattie as the 2nd Marketing Guy
Dave B. Mitchell as the 1st Commercial Guy
Dempsey Pappion as the 2nd Commercial Guy
Chris Renaud as assorted forest animals

Production

The Lorax is the fourth feature film based on a book by Dr. Seuss, the second fully computer-animated adaptation (the first one being Horton Hears a Who! in 2008), and the first to be released in 3D. The Lorax was also Illumination Entertainment's first film presented in IMAX 3D (known as "IMAX Tree-D" in publicity for the film).{{cite web|title=Dr. Seuss' The Lorax: An IMAX 3D Experience|url=http://www.imax.com/movies/m/dr-seuss-the-lorax-an-imax-3d-experience/|work=IMAX|access-date=November 12, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029202936/http://www.imax.com/movies/m/dr-seuss-the-lorax-an-imax-3d-experience/|archive-date=October 29, 2011|df=mdy-all}} The idea for the film was initiated by Audrey Geisel, Dr. Seuss's widow, who had an established partnership with producer Chris Meledandri from a collaboration on Horton Hears a Who!. Geisel approached Meledandri when he launched Illumination, saying "This is the one I want to do next".{{cite news|last=Debruge|first=Peter|title=Illumination Chief Chris Meledandri Lines Up Originals for Universal|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/illumination-chief-chris-meledandri-lines-up-originals-for-universal-1200564348/|access-date=July 22, 2013|newspaper=Variety|date=July 17, 2013|archive-date=March 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305051800/https://variety.com/2013/film/news/illumination-chief-chris-meledandri-lines-up-originals-for-universal-1200564348/|url-status=live}} The film was officially announced in July 2009, with Meledandri attached as the producer and Geisel as the executive producer. Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda were announced as the director and co-director of the film, while Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, the duo who wrote the script for Horton Hears a Who! and Illumination's previous films, were set to write the screenplay.{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Michael|title=U, Illumination to light up 'Lorax'|url=https://variety.com/2009/digital/news/u-illumination-to-light-up-lorax-1118006616/|access-date=July 22, 2013|newspaper=Variety|date=July 28, 2009|archive-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329140432/https://variety.com/2009/digital/news/u-illumination-to-light-up-lorax-1118006616/|url-status=live}} In 2010, Danny DeVito was cast as the voice of the Lorax.{{cite web | url=http://thefilmstage.com/news/danny-devito-will-speak-for-the-trees-as-the-lorax/ | title=Danny DeVito Will Speak For the Trees as The Lorax | publisher=The Film Stage | date=October 25, 2010 | access-date=March 3, 2012 | author=Puchko, Kristy | archive-date=March 29, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329172650/https://thefilmstage.com/news/danny-devito-will-speak-for-the-trees-as-the-lorax/ | url-status=live }}

The film was fully produced at the French studio Illumination Mac Guff, which was the animation department of Mac Guff, acquired by Illumination Entertainment in the summer of 2011.{{cite web|title=ILLUMINATION MAC GUFF|url=http://www.societe.com/societe/illumination-mac-guff-533478434.html|work=Societe|access-date=November 12, 2011|archive-date=September 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907164932/https://www.societe.com/societe/illumination-mac-guff-533478434.html|url-status=live}} DeVito reprised his role in five different languages, including the original English audio, and also for the Russian, German, Italian, Catalan/Valencian, Castillan Spanish and Latin Spanish dub editions, learning his lines phonetically.{{cite news|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|title=Actor, Dub Thyself: Daniel Brühl & Danny DeVito On Joy In Voicing Themselves — Cannes|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/cannes-danny-devito-daniel-bruhl-dubbing-actors-interview-news-1202091800/|access-date=May 20, 2017|newspaper=Deadline|date=May 20, 2017|archive-date=May 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520185020/http://deadline.com/2017/05/cannes-danny-devito-daniel-bruhl-dubbing-actors-interview-news-1202091800/|url-status=live}} Universal added an environmental message to the film's website after a fourth-grade class in Brookline, Massachusetts, launched a successful petition through Change.org.{{cite news|last=Kristof|first=Nicholas|title=After Recess: Change the World|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/opinion/sunday/kristof-after-recess-change-the-world.html?_r=1&ref=opinion|access-date=February 6, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 5, 2012|archive-date=May 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530145439/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/opinion/sunday/kristof-after-recess-change-the-world.html?_r=1&ref=opinion|url-status=live}}

Release

The film was released on March 2, 2012, in the United States and Canada, and later on July 27, in the United Kingdom. It was also the first film to feature the current Universal Pictures logo, with a rearranged version of the fanfare, originally composed by Jerry Goldsmith and composed and arranged by Brian Tyler, as part of the studio's 100th anniversary.{{Cite web|last=Kilday|first=Gregg|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/universal-pictures-100th-anniversary-logo-the-lorax-296227/|title=Universal to Debut New Studio Logo in Front of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 1, 2012|access-date=June 28, 2024}}

=Marketing controversy=

Despite the original Lorax being made as a critique of capitalism and pollution,{{cite journal|url=https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1095&context=tor|title="But Business is Business, and Business Must Grow": A Take on The Lorax|journal=The Oswald Review|volume=10|author=Rebecca L. Hahn|date=2008|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-date=October 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016195248/https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1095&context=tor|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://eprints.undip.ac.id/65733/1/PROJECT_-_MUHAMMAD_ISYRAQY_PUTRA_13020114140090.pdf|title=The Role of Mode of Production Depicted in Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Movie|author=Muhammad Isyraqy Putra|website=Eprints.undip.ac.id|access-date=January 24, 2021|archive-date=October 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015092039/http://eprints.undip.ac.id/65733/1/PROJECT_-_MUHAMMAD_ISYRAQY_PUTRA_13020114140090.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|url=https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/803/|title=The Lorax : Capitalism, Ecocentrism, and the Apocalypse|journal=Honors Theses|date=January 2015|last1=Schmidt|first1=Casey|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028175407/https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/803/|url-status=live}} Mazda used the likeness of The Lorax{{'}}s setting and characters in an advertisement for their CX-5 SUV.{{cite web|title=Mazda C5-X and Dr Seuss' The Lorax|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrvg33vkdFI/| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218013919/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrvg33vkdFI&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2012-02-18 | url-status=dead|work=YouTube|access-date=February 27, 2012}} This was seen by some as the complete opposite of the work's original message.{{cite web|title=Are You Shitting Me?: The Lorax Used to Sell SUVs|url=http://badassdigest.com/2012/02/23/are-you-shitting-me-the-lorax-used-to-sell-suvs/|work=Badass Digest|access-date=February 27, 2012|archive-date=February 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228024641/http://badassdigest.com/2012/02/23/are-you-shitting-me-the-lorax-used-to-sell-suvs|url-status=dead}} In response, Stephanie Sperber, president of Universal partnerships and licensing, said Universal chose to partner with the Mazda CX-5 because it is "a really good choice for consumers to make who may not have the luxury or the money to buy electric or buy hybrid. It's a way to take the better environmental choice to everyone."{{cite web|last=Rome|first=Emily|title='The Lorax' targeted for its green credentials|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2012-mar-01-la-et-lorax-20120301-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 1, 2012|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-date=March 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321053859/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/01/entertainment/la-et-lorax-20120301|url-status=live}}

The film has also been used to sell Seventh Generation disposable diapers.{{cite web|title=A Bad Marketing The Lorax and Disposable Diapers Really??|url=http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/bad-marketing-the-lorax-and-disposable-diapers-really/|work=DirtyDiaperLaundry|date=February 24, 2012|access-date=February 27, 2012|archive-date=February 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227051142/http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/bad-marketing-the-lorax-and-disposable-diapers-really/|url-status=live}} In total, Illumination Entertainment struck more than 70 different product integration deals for the film,{{cite web|title=Fake Lorax Twitter Mocks the Film's Many Marketing Tie-ins|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 2, 2012|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fake-lorax-twitter-dr-seuss-mocks-marketing-296530|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-date=April 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427002105/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fake-lorax-twitter-dr-seuss-mocks-marketing-296530|url-status=live}} including IHOP, Whole Foods and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.{{Cite web |author=Katia Hetter, Special to |date=2012-03-13 |title=Is the Lorax message what people need? Or is it IHOP and Mazdas if you please? |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/03/13/living/lorax-movie/index.html |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005202457/https://www.cnn.com/2012/03/13/living/lorax-movie/index.html |url-status=live }}

=Home media=

The film was released on DVD, Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray on August 7, 2012. Three mini-movies were released on the Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack: Serenade, Wagon Ho! and Forces of Nature;{{cite news|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-universal-studios-home-entertainment-dr-seuss-the-lorax-157198345.html|title=From Universal Studios Home Entertainment: Dr. Seuss' The Lorax|date=June 5, 2012|access-date=June 5, 2012|newspaper=PR Newswire|archive-date=December 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201111156/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-universal-studios-home-entertainment-dr-seuss-the-lorax-157198345.html|url-status=live}} In Serenade, Lou wants to impress a female Barbaloot, but he has some competition. In Wagon Ho!, two Barbaloots Pipsqueak and Lou take the Once-ler's wagon without asking his permission for a joyride. And in Forces of Nature, the Lorax makes Pipsqueak an "Honorary Lorax" and they team up to try to scare the Once-ler.

=Video game=

Blockdot created a mobile puzzle game based on the film, titled Truffula Shuffula. The game was released on February 1, 2012, for iOS and Android platforms.{{cite news|title=Blockdot Launches Game for Universal Pictures' Dr. Seuss' The Lorax|url=http://www.prlog.org/11787339-blockdot-launches-game-for-universal-pictures-dr-seuss-the-lorax.html|access-date=October 16, 2012|newspaper=PRLog|date=February 1, 2012|author=Blockdot|archive-date=December 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226033744/http://www.prlog.org/11787339-blockdot-launches-game-for-universal-pictures-dr-seuss-the-lorax.html|url-status=live}}

Reception

=Critical response=

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, The Lorax holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax is cute and funny enough but the moral simplicity of the book gets lost with the zany Hollywood production values."{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}}|type=m|title=Dr. Seuss' the Lorax|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}} On Metacritic, the film achieved a score of 46 out of 100 based on reviews from 30 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite Metacritic|id=dr-seuss-the-lorax|type=movie|title=The Lorax|access-date=March 2, 2021}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 22, 2016 |title='Rogue One' Targets $221.7M Opening Week; 'Sing' Raises Voice To $20M Over Two Days – Noon Update |url=https://deadline.com/2016/12/rogue-one-jennifer-lawrence-passengers-sing-assassins-creed-1201875103/ |access-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024143334/https://deadline.com/2016/12/rogue-one-jennifer-lawrence-passengers-sing-assassins-creed-1201875103/ |url-status=live }}

New York magazine film critic David Edelstein on NPR's All Things Considered strongly objected to the film, arguing that the Hollywood animation and writing formulas washed out the spirit of the book.{{cite news|last=Edelstein|first=David|title='The Lorax': A Campy And Whimsical Seussical|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/03/02/147573582/the-lorax-a-campy-and-whimsical-seussical|work=All Things Considered|publisher=National Public Radio|access-date=March 2, 2012|archive-date=March 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303000308/http://www.npr.org/2012/03/02/147573582/the-lorax-a-campy-and-whimsical-seussical|url-status=live}} He wrote that this kind of animated feature was wrong for the source material. Demonstrating how the book's text was used in the film in this excerpt from the review, Edelstein discusses Audrey describing the truffula trees to Ted:

{{Blockquote|The touch of their tufts was much softer than silk and they had the sweet smell of fresh butterfly milk – and [in the movie] Ted says, "Wow, what does that even mean?" and Audrey says, "I know, right?" So one of the only lines that is from the book, that does have Dr. Seuss' sublime whimsy, is basically made fun of, or at least, dragged down to Earth.}}

The film also garnered some positive reviews from critics such as Richard Roeper, who called it a "solid piece of family entertainment".{{cite web|last=Roeper|first=Richard|title=Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Review|url=http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/drseussthelorax.aspx|publisher=Richard Roeper & The Movies|access-date=August 24, 2012|archive-date=June 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606062241/http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/drseussthelorax.aspx|url-status=live}} Roger Moore of the Pittsburgh Tribune called the film "a feast of bright, Seuss colors, and wonderful Seuss design", and supported its environmentalist message.{{cite journal|last=Moore|first=Roger|title=Review: 'Dr. Seuss' The Lorax' a feast of bright colors, design|journal=Pittsburgh Tribune|date=March 1, 2012|url=http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/movies/s_784370.html|access-date=August 24, 2012|archive-date=September 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930034017/https://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/movies/s_784370.html|url-status=live}}

=Box office=

The film grossed $214.5 million in North America, and $136.9 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $351.4 million.{{cite Box Office Mojo |id=1482459 |title=Dr. Seuss' The Lorax |access-date=December 22, 2023}}{{Cite The Numbers|The Numbers - Financial Information |id=Lorax-The |title=Dr. Seuss' The Lorax |access-date=December 22, 2023}}

The film topped the North American box office with $17.5 million on its opening day (Friday, March 2, 2012).{{cite web|title=Friday Report: 'The Lorax' Gets the Message Out on Friday|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3386&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|date=March 3, 2012|first=Ray|last=Subers|access-date=March 4, 2012|archive-date=March 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306004826/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3386&p=.htm|url-status=live}} During the weekend, it grossed $70.2 million, easily beating the other new nationwide release, Project X ($21 million), and all other films.{{cite web|title=Weekend Report: Little 'Lorax' Is Box Office Giant|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3387&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 4, 2012|archive-date=March 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306232259/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3387&p=.htm|url-status=live}} This was the biggest opening for an Illumination Entertainment film,{{cite web|title=Illumination Entertainment|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?view=main&id=illumination.htm&sort=opengross&order=DESC&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 4, 2012|archive-date=March 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306231402/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?view=main&id=illumination.htm&sort=opengross&order=DESC&p=.htm|url-status=live}} and for a feature film adaptation of a book by Dr. Seuss,{{cite web|title=Dr. Seuss Showdown|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/showdowns/chart/?id=seussshowdown.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 4, 2012|archive-date=March 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306232044/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/showdowns/chart/?id=seussshowdown.htm|url-status=live}} as well as the second-largest for an environmentalist film.{{cite web|title=Environmentalist|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?view=openings&id=environment.htm&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 4, 2012|archive-date=December 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228105554/https://boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?view=openings&id=environment.htm|url-status=live}} It also scored the third-best debut for a film opening in March,{{cite web|title=TOP OPENING WEEKENDS BY MONTH|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=03&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 4, 2012|archive-date=March 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316054849/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=03&p=.htm|url-status=live}} and the eighth-best of all time for an animated film.{{cite web|title=Animation|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=animation.htm&sort=opengross&order=DESC&p=.htm|publisher=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 4, 2012|archive-date=March 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306231408/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=animation.htm&sort=opengross&order=DESC&p=.htm|url-status=live}} The Lorax stayed at No. 1 the following weekend, dropping 45% to $38.8 million and beating all new nationwide releases, including Disney's John Carter (second place).{{cite web|title='The Lorax' Defeats Disappointing 'John Carter'|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3391&p=.htm|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=March 11, 2012|archive-date=March 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313220715/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3391&p=.htm|url-status=live}}

On April 11, 2012, it became the first animated film in nearly a year to gross more than $200 million in North America, since Walt Disney Animation Studios' Tangled.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2994537476/|title=Weekend Report (cont.): 'Titanic 3D' Doesn't Sink or Sail|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=January 24, 2022|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124173730/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2994537476/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=lorax.htm|title=Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (2012) - Daily Box Office Results|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 30, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006074413/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=lorax.htm|url-status=live}}

= Online popularity =

The film has garnered popularity online as the basis for Internet memes, with scenes such as the Lorax's departure gaining popularity on TikTok.{{Cite web |last=Stanford |first=Kaitlin |date=2023-04-24 |title=What's the meaning behind 'The Lorax Leaving' meme on TikTok? |url=https://www.intheknow.com/post/lorax-leaving-meme-tiktok/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=In the Know |publisher=Yahoo |language=en-US}} In particular, the film's version of the Once-ler developed a notable fandom on Tumblr, with many users creating fan art, fan fiction, cosplay, and even alternative versions of the character to ship with each other.{{Cite web |last=Doyle |first=Jack |date=2022-11-24 |title=These Are the Sexiest of Tumblr Sexymen |url=https://www.themarysue.com/these-are-the-sexiest-of-tumblr-sexymen/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=The Mary Sue |language=en}} This fandom lead to the character being labeled as the first instance of a "Tumblr sexyman", a term for fictional characters with massive popularity as sex symbols on Tumblr.{{Cite web |last=Schmondiuk |first=Natalie |date=2022-09-29 |title=Tumblr Sexyman Explained |url=https://www.themarysue.com/tumblr-sexyman-explained/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=The Mary Sue |language=en}}

Music

{{Main|The Lorax (soundtrack){{!}}The Lorax (soundtrack)}}

The soundtrack for the film was composed by John Powell, who had previously composed the score for Horton Hears a Who! (2008), and the songs were written by Cinco Paul.{{cite web|title=Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (Original Songs From The Motion Picture)|url=http://www.interscope.com/artist/releases/detail.aspx?pid=3225&aid=1265|work=Interscope|access-date=March 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303081303/http://www.interscope.com/artist/releases/detail.aspx?pid=3225&aid=1265|archive-date=March 3, 2012}} There were two soundtrack albums released for the film, the first being Powell's film score and the other being the original songs written by Powell and Paul performed by various artists. Original songs written for the film include "Thneedville", "This is the Place", "Everybody Needs a Thneed", "How Bad Can I Be?", and "Let It Grow".