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The Grinch: Seven Years Later 2000 UNIVERSAL MEDIA, DIRECTED BY RON HOWARD Starring Jim Carrey, Jeffery Tambor, Molly Shannon & Taylor Momsen Seven years ago this November, Director Ron Howard and Producer Brian Grazer unveiled a masterpiece. For the two of them, the task was a challenging one. How do you re-create the magic of such a prestigious work that in itself has been a cult classic for the better part of four decades? A work that has gone unmatched, probably more so by choice, as to not stain the reputation of a writing genius? The biggest question remains the same. Did Howard and company pull it off? As far as Box Office earning, we can say that for certain, How the Grinch Stole Christmas was one of the biggest theater draws of 2000. Grossing more than $300 million dollars doesn’t just happen on its own, and has landed the film on the charts as one of the highest grossing movies ever made. But aside from that, Howard hasn’t won over nearly the same audience as Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) had. Critics panned the film as mediocre and unfitting of any relation to the Seuss work. More often than not, the film is heavily criticized on message boards, forums and independent film review websites. Many people contribute the lackluster story, character designs and overall concept as mere inaccuracies of everything Seuss had written in 1966. Many times, Ive tried to reiterate several key factors to people who view the movie with such distaste, hoping that maybe, people can enjoy the film as much as I do, and as much as all of us here at Mount Crumpit do. Having watched this movie for the first time in almost a year, I once again feel completely satisfied with everything Howard and Grazer brought to the table. The story, which does differ slightly from the book and 1966 Cartoon, is not by any means a poor one. Much has changed yes, but the ideal story and moral message of Holiday spirit and kindness shine through in cinematic glory. I believe that I enjoy this movie as much as I do based on the memories Ive attached to it over the years, remembering the great Holidays with much of my family. But that doesn’t make this movie good or bad. I see why people don’t like it, and they all seem to answer the same. The complaint that is most often uttered mirrors “Its not like the book or the cartoon”. In all actuality, it is. Its as close as anyone could have possibly carried it. Ron Howard presented this in a way that I believe would have made Dr. Seuss proud, having transformed the memorable twenty-six minute cartoon into nearly two hours long. Granted, Howard had a lot to add to keep the story afloat and keep an audience interested. I believe he did just that. Dr. Seuss passed away in 1991. I think many would have different views has he written the same story. We as people are often too critical, and I myself often repel something new in favor of tradition. However, those who express such distain for the film because its not identical to a forty year old cartoon, or refuse to watch it at all because they fear it will damage their liking for its predecessor tend to frustrate me. You cannot call this a bad movie if you’ve never watched it, and if you did watch it and didn’t like it, it serves to purpose that you would only like the cartoon more. While my early reviews penned this as one of the best movies ever made, I look back now and reconsider my statement. I believe this is a great movie and one of my personal favorites. But I know this movie wont be hitting the Roger Ebert classics list anytime soon. The film just has an insurmountable amount of negative viewing behind it, which is something that time itself will never change. Those who enjoy it for its presentation and good spirit know a good movie when they see it, and those who keep shutting their eyes will never be convinced otherwise. Its still timeless. Seven years later, I cant look away. I just hope that never changes. But if time is any example at all, I envision watching this movie with my kids many years from now. MOUNT CRUMPIT RATING: 5 / 5 |
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