SCENESTEALER

Listen. Is that really a Who that Horton hears, or is it the collective sigh of relief from audiences tired of the painfully earthbound sight of costumed actors trying to re-create the outlandish characters of Dr. Seuss on screen? “Horton Hears a Who!” proves that much like the elephant himself, animators, too, can be faithful, 100% -- even if that means losing sight of megastars Jim Carrey and Steve Carell underneath their 3D animated alter egos (Horton and the mayor of Whoville, respectively). The result? The first truly Seussian cinema (as opposed to the live action “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “The Cat in the Hat”). Not that the actors don’t shine from within. “Every now and then their expressions come through but we never attempted to caricature Jim Carrey or Steve Carell,” says Blue Sky Studios art director Thomas Cardone. “We wanted you to accept the characters for who they are rather than associate them with someone else.” In the end, Blue Sky’s artists effectively translated the elements they loved about Seuss’ characters and their world, down to the toupee-covered hills and off-kilter Jungle of Nool.