For example, one unfortunate denizen of Nool is Vlad, the Vulture. Vlad is obviously named for Vlad Dracul, more commonly known as Dracula in folklore. Played by actor Will Arnett, Vlad’s character is made suitable for children’s audiences by blending both scary and funny elements of the traditional myth. Arnett accomplishes this by mimicking the voice inflections of the Transylvanian vampire with the Yiddish-like maunderings of a curmudgeonly zayde (grandfather). By the end of the film, this tension creates an uncomfortable stereotype for which Arnett should know better.

The story also has a disturbingly homophobic moment in the ancestor’s hall, where the mayor shows his son the only “not so great” family member: an effeminate man wearing a tutu. This brief dig was entirely unnecessary; however, it seems when Hollywood (or the society at large) needs an easy target for the “butt” of a joke, it goes for the only minority that it feels it can still openly—and comfortably—denigrate.

Furthermore, any father with ninety-six daughters should be able to find one female child among that number, who could suitably inherit the position as mayor of Whoville, rather than his only son—especially, considering that said son does not want the position.