"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" Won't Be on Your Wish List by Homer Yen (c) 2000
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch. He's as ugly as a cactus and as charming as an eel. Living atop the windy peak of Mount Crumpit, he peers out onto the town of Whoville far below. He's a solitary curmudgeon whose sole source of enjoyment comes from making life miserable for others, especially during the holiday season. Loathing their Christmas spirit with their bright lights, non-stop singing, gift giving, and general sense of gaiety, he devises a plan to rob Whoville of their most precious holiday.
However, his foul mission is thwarted by the kindhearted actions of little Cindy Lou Who (adorable Taylor Momsen). In a chance encounter with the Grinch (an unrecognizable Jim Carrey), she believes that he's not all bad despite what the rest of the town thinks. With her wide-eyed innocence, she hopes to bring out his warm side hidden under all that green fur and callous demeanor.
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is a slightly revved up version of the Dr. Seuss bedtime classic. Richly narrated by Anthony Hopkins, the film follows the original basic outline. However, it comes up short on imagination and has lost a touch of its sentimental spirit.
You would expect more in terms of design, considering the Grinch universe takes place within a snowflake. The Whoville denizens look and act like mannequins. They possess hog-like snouts and sport a hairstyle that looks like it was the result of a passing cyclone. And for a town that seems to be in a 24/7 preparation mode for Christmas, the whole place looks oddly somber. There is a noticeable lack of primary colors, the palettes seem muted, and the entire set design seems like something out of Candyland…or the backlot of Universal Studios. Of course, there are some terrific special effects. And its strongest segment occurs when the Grinch goes on his raid during Christmas Eve. He employs a giant vacuum to suck out the goodies, unleashes moths to eat the hanging Christmas stockings, and even steals the visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads. But up to that point, there's very little magic in the air.
Another shortfall was that the film didn't do enough to generate enough sympathy for the Grinch. Yes, we learn of the Grinch's past and the root of his hatred for Christmas and Whoville, but it spends an inordinate amount of time establishing his meanness. This disqualifies the film from being a wholesome child's tale, and moves it into dark territory that may leave wee ones confused. Among other things, he pushes little kids to the ground during a sack race and eats shards of glass while he plots against the town of Whoville. This is a bad hero/role model for children if they tend to mimic what happens on-screen.
Yet, the film has flashes of creativity, and kudos are in order for Jim Carrey who worked exceptionally hard to pull off this almost-impossible role. Despite being mummified under that green suit, he still applies his unique brand of physical comedy while snarling, growling, and scowling, and does his best to show us a good time.
The movie does have its funny moments even if its grander aspirations are unrealized. But it needed to be brighter to captivate and more fun to enthrall. Like the Grinch who felt hatred towards those who had him ostracized, This film's heart is two sizes too small.
Grade: C+ S: 0 out of 3 L: 0 out of 3 V: 1 out of 3 General meanness and some lowbrow humor.
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