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Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas 2000 UNIVERSAL MEDIA, DIRECTED BY RON HOWARD Starring Jim Carrey, Jeffery Tambor, Molly Shannon & Taylor Momsen When I first saw this movie was being made, I was a bit skeptical. Although I loved the cartoon, having seen it more than a few dozen times every Christmas season, I couldn’t help but wonder if Ron Howard would butcher the classic tale for the sake of making a colossal profit. You have to admit, everyone and their grandmother has seen the cartoon, and who wouldn’t want to catch a remake of such a popular staple of Christmas? But on the upside, The cartoon was and still is the most popular holiday cartoon ever made. So with that backing the production of such a million-dollar idea, how could you really go wrong? I walked out the theatre deeply satisfied. Needless to say, the movie did exactly what Howard wanted it to do. By holding true to the cartoon, Howard and company expanded a half-hour cartoon, into an almost two hour film. The film held true to its roots that Seuss implemented, while still having a fresh, clean look that simply could not fail. And it helps to have such a cast of all stars - and who better to play the Grinch than Jim Carrey? Jim Carrey plays the Grinch, a Who-hating, Yuletide-loathing green menace that resides in the snowy mountain overlooking Whoville known as Mount Crumpit. Most would remember the cartoon started with the Grinch venting, then preparing for the big night of debauchery. But it isn’t until you watch this movie that we find out what made the Grinch so miserable. Oddly, the cartoons perspective doesn’t even become evident until exactly one hour into the film, where the Grinch decides once and for all that the “Oh-too-happy” citizens of Whoville don’t deserve a Christmas. Thus, the big heist begins. Growing up with two elderly Whos’ , the Grinch began hating Christmas from the very start. Taking a bite out of a Santa cookie plate and exclaiming “Santa bye bye!”. Sadly, even in school, he was often seen drawing pictures of Christmas being destroyed. But when Martha May Whovier became an object of his affection, he decided that he who’d woo her by making a homemade gift for her. Upon completion, he decided to shave, obviously perturbed by Augustus Maywho’s continuous hairy comments. Grinch repeatedly nicked himself, resulting in the whole class laughing at his expense. This sends Grinch into an all-out “I hate Christmas!” campaign, destroying the class, and fleeing to Mount Crumpit feeling empty and stirring, and to forever hate the Whos. This film goes in two completely opposite directions. One way is that it holds completely true to the cartoon. The film portrays the message of acceptance, and holiday spirit, assuring that there is good in everyone. In the opposite light, the film holds so much more than Dr. Seuss could have ever imagined. The special effects were nothing short of amazing, providing realism, as well as sticking to the “Seuss formula” of abstraction. Such a style has not been tapped into much with the exception of Tim Burton’s “Nightmare before Christmas”, which still didn’t even come close to the Grinch. In the hour before the Cartoon is to begin to show its skin in film form, Ron Howard brings forth several supporting characters to allow the Grinch to progress as a villain. Lou Lou Who and his family allow for mediation between Augustus (the mayor) and the Grinch, insisting that Christmas is not something that can be hurt. Most importantly is Cindy Lou Who, who is the only person in Whoville who truly wants the Grinch to join them for Christmas. She goes out of her way to uncover his past, and attempts to give him the towns highest honor of Holiday CheerMeister. Ultimately, she is the reason for the Grinch’s change of heart. Inside and out, forward and backward, this is one of the greatest films I have ever seen. Its just not Christmas without this playing, or the cartoon playing to assure that Christmas is so much more than the giving of presents, and decorations. Those are merely to enhance, and symbolize what’s in our hearts. Because everone has a good heart, when its given the chance to show through. I must recommend this film to anyone who enjoys Jim Carrey, the Grinch animated cartoon, or any form of holiday spirit. Its definatly a must have. " MOUNT CRUMPIT RATING: 5 / 5 |
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