The colourful characters and gentle wit of Dr Seuss (The Cat In The Hat, How The Grinch Stole Christmas) provide the creative spark for this animated comedy, which promotes the valuable message of equality for all creatures.

Or as the film eloquently puts it, "A person's a person, no matter how small."

Unfortunately, Dr Seuss' Horton Hears A Who! insists on tarnishing its sweet and simple message with myriad pop culture references.

Thus, the tuskless hero echoes Apocalypse Now when he declares, "I love the smell of bananas in the morning".

Who knew that the cartoon inhabitants of the jungle were so well versed in 20th century celebrity and affairs?

Jim Carrey is surprisingly - and blissfully - restrained with his lead vocal performance as the eponymous pachyderm, who risks hide and trunk to save an entire universe he can barely see.

Funny accents and ad-libs are kept to a minimum, giving supporting performances a chance to emerge from the undergrowth and steal the film.

Horton (voiced by Carrey) lives in the jungle with his animal chums, who all quake in fear at the mention of Roo (Burnett), an officious kangaroo who enforces the laws of the land and pouch-schools her impressionable son.

During a swim in the river, Horton is startled to hear voices emanating from a speck of dust lodged on a clover.

He soon discovers that the speck is actually the microscopic world of Who-ville, where the Mayor (Carell) merrily goes about his business, juggling work responsibilities and caring for his 96 daughters and one son.

Realising the fate of Who-ville depends on finding a safe resting place for the speck of dust, Horton embarks on a trek to the mountain that dominates the skyline.

Dr Seuss' Horton Hears A Who! bursts with colourful visuals and fluffy critters.

Yet, for all its aesthetic charms, Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino's film lacks well-sketched characters, genuine emotion and a constant stream of laughs.