Review of 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas'

grinch.jpg The Grinch (Jim Carrey) is a reclusive living at the top of Mount Crumpet above the town of Whoville who does not like Christmas, resenting the joy that it's people feel at Christmas. A young Whovillite (?), Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen) looks into the Grinch's past and finds that he has been unfairly maligned by the townspeople so believes that the Grinch just needs some love. Convincing the mayor (Jeffrey Tambor, played with a wonderful evil flair) and the rest of the people of Whoville that the Grinch should be made the “Cheer Meister” for the year results in a humiliating disaster for the Grinch. Now really annoyed at the Whovillites the Grinch comes up with the idea of stealing all of the Christmas decorations and presents from Whoville to prevent Christmas from coming. Can his horrible plan be stopped will he find the true spirit of the holidays?

This is the live-action adaptation of the original children's book by Dr. Seuss with a lot more detail added to fill the length of a feature film. We learn here of the Grinch's past and that the Whovillites are not as innocent as they were in the book. Certainly Cindy Lou plays a much bigger role and the mayor does not even feature in the book. As to whether this is any good or not, I will say it makes it more interesting though the ending is never much in touch (and has been, thankfully, left relatively untouched). The sets, make-up and other effects are absolutely amazing, bringing the story to life with the detail certainly in keeping with the original book - They have “channelled Seuss” for sure.. The imagination of the filmmakers is incredible and wonderful to look at with an amazing vibrancy - Quite magical.

I can't help but feel this is a Jim Carrey vehicle as he puts on an over-the-top performance in every scene he appears in - I think, to excess. I don't mind Carrey, as an actor, but here his personality and humour often overpowers the story and the story's important, underlying, message. His make-up, it has to be said, is incredible, allowing his exaggerated movements and expressions to be seamlessly merged with the Grinch character.

A festive movie that brings the story of the Grinch to a new audience with modifications that may grate for fans of the original book…others may be a bit lost, but it is fun and will make you laugh.

Rating: “It is OK but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2016-12-11


Directed by: Ron Howard

Studio: Universal Pictures

Year: 2000

Length: 104 minutes

Genre: Comedy

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0170016/


Other reviewed films by Ron Howard: