Glorious Escapism Roleplay

LenLenWearsBlue · Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 1059 Location: Under your bed.

This thread is probably just going to be about the Dr. Seuss' tale in general, but I put it here because my post is primarily about the 2012 film.

The Lorax is a 2012 film, directed by Chris Renaud (director of the Despicable Me franchise) and written by Ken Daurio, who wrote the screenplay for the previous animated Dr. Seuss film, Horton Hears A Who!.

The original Seuss fable centers around the struggle between an orange moustachio'd creature, The Lorax, who "speaks for the trees" against The Once-ler, a greedy businessman who deforests The Lorax's home in hopes of using the tufts of the colourful Truffula Trees to craft his invention, the Thneed, a thing which he thinks everyone needs. The book has been praised for educating children about the effects corporate greed on nature, how deforestation can endanger certain species and for prompting its readers to think about how they can be more environmentally conscious.

The 2012 film, however, has recieved mixed responses due to the liberties it took. The film explores a lot more of the back-story of the characters, showing us what motivated Ted, the young (originally nameless) boy from the novel, to visit the estranged, elderly Once-ler. It introduces new characters entirely, mostly the citizens of Thneedville. The most controversial change, however, was those made to The Once-ler. Most notably, a large number of people are confused as to how he went from a pair of wiry, identity-less green hands in the book...

... To an equally wiry, whimsical musician in the film.

A lot of people feel that by adding an identity and back-story to The Once-ler, the point of the character was ruined - his lack of identity was meant to be representative of the facelessness of capitalism, and the idea that he could be anyone. Another lot of people, however, developed a deep affection for the character (myself included), and he has spawned somewhat of his own cult following on tumblr.

The film isn't released in the UK for another few months, so I've only been able to watch a relatively low quality screen-cam version, but it has been out in North America for a few weeks, perhaps a month. I'd recommend seeing it if you have nothing else to do, it's pretty fun.
Thoughts?

It's not like I desperately need more people to talk about this with or anything

Toutaku · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:51 pm Post subject:

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Rabukurafuto · Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 9:39 pm Post subject:

I like the way that person looks in the film.
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LenLenWearsBlue · Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 1059 Location: Under your bed.

His design is rather nice.

Rabukurafuto · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 3:07 am Post subject:

While I won't be able to legally see this for a long time, I was reading about it on TV Tropes and was amused that someone wondered why the Once-ler didn't kill himself in despair. The person answered its own question by remarking how that never happen in a family film.

There was also a link to one person's interpretation and to deal with people complaining about Once-ler's place in the film.
_________________

Where others are blind, I am futurely inclined
And you too could see, if you was widdle ol' me!

LenLenWearsBlue · Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 1059 Location: Under your bed.

Aha, that made me giggle and now everyone on the train is looking at me oddly. I think the Once-ler's optimism even though he essentially poisoned the world, drove several creatures to extinction and did it all essentially for nothing in the end is what made him such a memorable character for me.
I agree completely with that person in the link you sent me, though. Tumblr is pretty much just full of arguments about The Once-ler right now, half of the site are absolutely smitten with him and the other half can't stand him, so there's kind of these odd cyber gang hate wars. Over a fictional character.

Awh, shoot, I should have mentioned that a friend of mine I met through the fandom was streaming both the 2012 Lorax movie and the 70s one last night. I assume you prefer watching things legally though, and I had to wait until 3am my time for it to start, I don't know what time that would've been for you.

Rabukurafuto · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:51 am Post subject:

3 AM for you is actually about 11 AM for me, so it wouldn't be too bad. I do like seeing things legally though.

Well it's good he can make so much discussion, even if people are taking it too far.
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Where others are blind, I am futurely inclined
And you too could see, if you was widdle ol' me!

LenLenWearsBlue · Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 1059 Location: Under your bed.

They really do need to learn to deal with people picking holes in the story, but otherwise it's one of the best fandoms I've been in so far. People make all kinds of crazy interpretations of the character.

Rabukurafuto · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:17 am Post subject:

That sounds quite fun.
_________________

Where others are blind, I am futurely inclined
And you too could see, if you was widdle ol' me!

LenLenWearsBlue · Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 1059 Location: Under your bed.

Some of them are very dark for a children's film. I follow an RPer's blog who RPs a version of the Once-ler who's become a mutated monster-like creature because of the chemicals and pollution he pumped into the air. The same RPer also managed to shift the story so they've gone on a massive drive by vore-ing spree in Gotham with a 12 year old riddler. This fandom. I love it so much.

Rabukurafuto · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:48 am Post subject:

I was wondering if that had anything to do with Once-ler when you mentioned it before.
_________________

Where others are blind, I am futurely inclined
And you too could see, if you was widdle ol' me!

LenLenWearsBlue · Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 1059 Location: Under your bed.

I just checked the cannibal Once-ler blog and he's been eating everyone too.
Why can't they just eat cake on their birthday like normal people...
I swear I am in no way jealous because I wasn't eaten

Rabukurafuto · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:03 am Post subject:

I'm a bit jealous I can't eat anyone. I'm hungry now.
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Where others are blind, I am futurely inclined
And you too could see, if you was widdle ol' me!

LenLenWearsBlue · Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 1059 Location: Under your bed.

for the love of god consume me
I'm hungry too. I've only been living off energy drinks and millionaire's shortbread since last night to stay awake for the stream. I couldn't even eat the fandom's favourite food, pancakes and marshmallows.

Rabukurafuto · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:17 am Post subject:

That's unfortunate.
_________________

Where others are blind, I am futurely inclined
And you too could see, if you was widdle ol' me!