How the Grinch Stole Christmas
(B or 3/4 stars)
For decades now, 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' has been a venerable holiday television classic. The 22 min. cartoon, based on the book by Dr. Seuss & narrated by Boris Karloff, has enchanted generations of viewers. So, in deciding to remold it into a 90 min. live action movie, director Ron Howard has taken quite the risk. To Howard's credit, he keeps the spirit of the Grinch cartoon intact. The text of the Dr. Seuss book is all there, though, some 65+ min. of padding is added to the run time. Some viewers will think this version to be a heinous sacrilege. But got me, I kinda liked its particulars.
As in the cartoon, the Grinch (Jim Carrey) hopes to ruin the Christmas spirit of the citizens of Whoville and, quite a bit of backstory is narrated by the great Anthony Hopkins. High atop snowy Mt. Crumpit in his gaping cave, The Grinch is introduced as a surly, gruff, green-furred curmudgeon who absolutely hates Christmas + the Christmas-loving people of Whoville who live in the quaint, magical valley far below him. Among them is little Cindy-Lou Who (Taylor Momsen), a child far beyond her years, who seems to be the only one to question the 'real' meaning of Christmas; not her postmaster father, Lou (Bill Irwin); not her mother, Betty (Molly Shannon); and not Martha May Whovier (Christine Baranski), whom Betty is hell bent on defeating in the Whobilation lighting decoration contest.
Annoyed at the music & cheer rising up from Whoville, the Grinch concocts a scheme to steal Christmas and, with aide of his adorable dog, Max, sets out to just that by slipping on a disguise & pervading Whoville. This is all much to the chagrin of Mayor May Who (Jeffrey Tambor), but the town folk's spirits are unfading & undying. What the Grinch DOES achieve, however, is the sparking of interest in Cindy-Lou about him. Interviewing the citizens about the contemptible Grinch, Cindy Lou soon discovers exactly what made the Grinch such an outcast, & what inspired his vengeance of Christmas in the 1st place. Sure, his heart us 2x too small, but perhaps an unhappy childhood fueled his hatred, as well. Maybe - just maybe - Cindy-Lou Who can find his soft spot before the point of no return.
Many elements of the script are amusing; helps that the source material is Dr. Seuss' book. Not everything works, as plenty of stretches veer to over-the-top. But on the whole, it's easy to see why children, in particular, love this version and, how it made a ton of $$ at the box office. You know what DOES work in this film? The visual aesthetic. The fabulous makeup that transforms Jim Carrey into the Grinch won an Academy Award for Rick Baker & Gail Rowell-Ryan; hair & makeup on other characters are great, as well. The wondrous costume designs and bright, colorful sets were also nominated for their exceptional work in creating the happy hamlet of Whoville & cavernous Mt. Crumpit. I also admire James Horner's terrific music score.
Of course, How the Grinch Stole Christmas' huge selling point isn't nostalgia or production values ... it is Jim Carrey. Although he isn't physically recognizable under the mounds of make-up & prosthetics, there's no doubt who is under it all. His off-the-wall performance is reminiscent of his work in 1994's The Mask. Really, the combo of Carrey's interpretation of Seuss' creation + Carrey's own personality is what makes this nutty amalgamation as potent as it is. His Grinch is an absolute blast of unbridled energy and, mileage may vary on the portrayal. Many will LOVE it, and plenty will think it is too deranged for a family holiday movie. Taylor Momsen is perfect as Cindy-Lou Who, the Grinch's advocate & catalyst for transforming his cold heart.
Christine Baranski entertains as Martha May, who has had a secret crush on the Grinch since before his self-imposed exile to Mt. Crumpet. Jeffrey Tambor is enjoyable as the somewhat-conceited Mayor of Whoville, whose grudge against the Grinch goes back to when they were kids, & tries to keep the Christmas spirit alive. Bill Irwin & Molly Shannon enchant as Cindy-Lou's parents. And Anthony Hopkins' rich, non-threatening voice lends itself to the narration. Now again, there are legitimate questions as to whether or not this version is necessary. It does feel like a bit of a cash grab. This version is pretty different & not nearly as effective as the cartoon, but that doesn't make it a bad movie. I admire its pointing out that the true spirit of the holiday is to, perhaps, accept the lost & lonely into a community. Overall, the film represents 90 min. of curiously bizarre, if also solid family entertainment.
As in the cartoon, the Grinch (Jim Carrey) hopes to ruin the Christmas spirit of the citizens of Whoville and, quite a bit of backstory is narrated by the great Anthony Hopkins. High atop snowy Mt. Crumpit in his gaping cave, The Grinch is introduced as a surly, gruff, green-furred curmudgeon who absolutely hates Christmas + the Christmas-loving people of Whoville who live in the quaint, magical valley far below him. Among them is little Cindy-Lou Who (Taylor Momsen), a child far beyond her years, who seems to be the only one to question the 'real' meaning of Christmas; not her postmaster father, Lou (Bill Irwin); not her mother, Betty (Molly Shannon); and not Martha May Whovier (Christine Baranski), whom Betty is hell bent on defeating in the Whobilation lighting decoration contest.
Annoyed at the music & cheer rising up from Whoville, the Grinch concocts a scheme to steal Christmas and, with aide of his adorable dog, Max, sets out to just that by slipping on a disguise & pervading Whoville. This is all much to the chagrin of Mayor May Who (Jeffrey Tambor), but the town folk's spirits are unfading & undying. What the Grinch DOES achieve, however, is the sparking of interest in Cindy-Lou about him. Interviewing the citizens about the contemptible Grinch, Cindy Lou soon discovers exactly what made the Grinch such an outcast, & what inspired his vengeance of Christmas in the 1st place. Sure, his heart us 2x too small, but perhaps an unhappy childhood fueled his hatred, as well. Maybe - just maybe - Cindy-Lou Who can find his soft spot before the point of no return.
Many elements of the script are amusing; helps that the source material is Dr. Seuss' book. Not everything works, as plenty of stretches veer to over-the-top. But on the whole, it's easy to see why children, in particular, love this version and, how it made a ton of $$ at the box office. You know what DOES work in this film? The visual aesthetic. The fabulous makeup that transforms Jim Carrey into the Grinch won an Academy Award for Rick Baker & Gail Rowell-Ryan; hair & makeup on other characters are great, as well. The wondrous costume designs and bright, colorful sets were also nominated for their exceptional work in creating the happy hamlet of Whoville & cavernous Mt. Crumpit. I also admire James Horner's terrific music score.
Of course, How the Grinch Stole Christmas' huge selling point isn't nostalgia or production values ... it is Jim Carrey. Although he isn't physically recognizable under the mounds of make-up & prosthetics, there's no doubt who is under it all. His off-the-wall performance is reminiscent of his work in 1994's The Mask. Really, the combo of Carrey's interpretation of Seuss' creation + Carrey's own personality is what makes this nutty amalgamation as potent as it is. His Grinch is an absolute blast of unbridled energy and, mileage may vary on the portrayal. Many will LOVE it, and plenty will think it is too deranged for a family holiday movie. Taylor Momsen is perfect as Cindy-Lou Who, the Grinch's advocate & catalyst for transforming his cold heart.
Christine Baranski entertains as Martha May, who has had a secret crush on the Grinch since before his self-imposed exile to Mt. Crumpet. Jeffrey Tambor is enjoyable as the somewhat-conceited Mayor of Whoville, whose grudge against the Grinch goes back to when they were kids, & tries to keep the Christmas spirit alive. Bill Irwin & Molly Shannon enchant as Cindy-Lou's parents. And Anthony Hopkins' rich, non-threatening voice lends itself to the narration. Now again, there are legitimate questions as to whether or not this version is necessary. It does feel like a bit of a cash grab. This version is pretty different & not nearly as effective as the cartoon, but that doesn't make it a bad movie. I admire its pointing out that the true spirit of the holiday is to, perhaps, accept the lost & lonely into a community. Overall, the film represents 90 min. of curiously bizarre, if also solid family entertainment.