The Grinch: Movie Review
MPAA RATING:
PG for brief rude humor
GENRES:
Animation, Comedy, Family
RELEASE:
November 9, 2018
STARRING:
Voices of Benedict Cumberbatch, Cameron Seely, Rashida Jones, Pharrell Williams, Kenan Thompson, Angela Lansbury
DIRECTORS:
Yarrow Cheney, Scott Mosier
Who knew? Did you? That The Grinch would come through.
Ambivalent to the 1966 TV movie classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and so not a fan of Jim Carrey's 2000 take on Dr. Seuss' story, this critic was pleasantly surprised to enjoy Illumination's new animated feature.
Benedict Cumberbatch voices the mean green guy living alone on Mount Crumpit in this remake. His loyal dog Max by his side, we watch as his anger grows and grows. No joy in his three-sizes-too-small heart, the Grinch comes up with a dastardly plan to ruin Christmas for the Whos down in Whoville. He means to steal it and he will.
Visually pleasing and with music enchanting, The Grinch gives audiences (especially the littles ones) some laughs, Christmas cheer, and songs so lovely to hear. The soundtrack features seasonal favorites, but it's the holiday hymn about Jesus that made the movie shine ("God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen").
Coming in at 90 minutes, The Grinch stretches the children's book, adding a bit more to the grump's backstory. Through it, kids will get to understand why he's so mean and who brings him out of his lonely, dark cave in the mountain.
Rated PG for "brief rude humor", The Grinch is appropriate viewing for most ages. It's clean Christmas fun for the whole family.
Big question is - does this movie add anything to the The Grinch film collection already out there? It does. It updates Dr. Seuss' story for a new generation and reminds us all that people are more important than presents. Even more than that, it shows that joy is contagious, a friend can make all the difference, and how a community can restore a broken heart.
