DR. SEUSS’S HORTON!: Episodes 1.1-1.3

DR. SEUSS’S HORTON! is a 3D animated preschool action series on Netflix. Set in a fantasy jungle, a young elephant and his bird companion go on wild adventures to help their neighbors. They find themselves tackling giant caverns, dangerous waterslides, and unpredictable animals. Will the power of friendship be enough to carry them through? HORTON is based on the “Dr. Seuss” universe of children’s books, including HORTON HEARS A WHO.

The show follows a young Horton the Elephant (from HORTON HEARS A WHO) and his bird companion Samson. Horton has an appetite for adventure, optimism, and helping his fellow neighbors. Meanwhile, Samson is introverted, prideful, and struggles to fly with his tiny wings. In each episode, Horton and Samson assist their neighbors with quests that take them across the jungle. These tasks include retrieving a birthday cake, returning a polar bear to its parents, and finding a seashell for a friend.

In terms of production value, HORTON is colorful. The set design, lighting, and general animation quality are well-done. The best aspect is its action scenes. The heroes scale across giant mountains, canyons, and dangerous rivers. Each scene is dynamic and sells the peril the characters face. The only downside is the “generic kids’ show” design for the characters. Horton and Samson appear to be from any other program. Otherwise, HORTON succeeds in the visual department.

Where does HORTON land on the morality scale? It has a strong Christian foundation. The heroes, Horton and Samson, are driven by altruism, determination, and a “can-do” attitude. They express gratitude and kindness to their animal neighbors. There is no mention of God or spirituality, but the heroes persevere against the various environmental hazards. Moreover, they employ creative problem-solving and improv skills. Samson will make a ridiculous remark about the situation, and Horton will turn that remark into an out-of-the-box solution. When the hazards move closer, the boys improvise their way out of trouble.

The only notable objectionable content found in HORTON is its cartoon violence. There is no blood or gore, but the animal characters find themselves in perilous situations. In the first three episodes of Season One, the heroes leap over giant chasms, climb a dangerous mountainside, and chase their friends across a river. There is also slapstick comedy with the characters falling on their faces or getting tossed around. Lastly, there is a kangaroo character who sometimes sabotages the heroes on their quest.

DR. SEUSS’S HORTON is an uplifting series about friendship and never giving up. It’s well-animated and well-directed. However, the music numbers were underwhelming. Moreover, it does not fully capitalize on the “whimsy” factor of Dr. Seuss. Lastly, Season One features physical cartoon peril and slapstick violence. MOVIEGUIDE® advises slight caution for younger children.