Dr. Seuss is a giant in children’s literature creating such works as The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and his most famous story How the Grinch Stole Christmas with that being adapted the most. The television special with Boris Karloff is most likely how the majority of people have recognized the iconic green menace, but it was also adapted in 2000 as a live action movie starring Jim Carrey, and now illumination brings you the CG animated film with a new interpretation that oddly enough works fairly well.
Benedict Cumberbatch plays the titular character. In this version the Grinch himself is probably more grumpy, maybe a trickster, than a mean one, but for what they’re new interpretation was going for in this film it works wonders. Taking from the Jim Carrey era, this film portrays the Grinch as an orphan who was left behind and had to watch families celebrate happiness with their kids without him. Instead of growing up to be a mean boogeyman of sorts the Grinch is simply an outcast with low self esteem and awkward socializing skills. He might be the most different from what has come before, but this interpretation still feels like it honors what the core of the character is.
The Grinch isn’t the only character that got a make over. Cindy Lou Who isn’t the innocent child anymore, but a semi-punk exploration achiever that wants her over worked mother to have an easier life, and so she writes a letter to Santa to ask him to lighten the load her mother seems to always be burdened with. Again, this is a different interpretation of a well known character, but it works. Cindy Lou Who still believes in Christmas, in Santa, but a new layer was added to her as she’s selfless in wanting her mother to have it easy instead of giving Santa a list of toys this year.
A few other things were added to pad the story to an acceptable feature length, but instead of being groan induced padding the writers have found a way to expand upon the story to support the new themes of family. With the Grinch wanting a family from when he was a boy he is confronted with new character Fred, an overweight reindeer. He and max serve as the Grinch’s surrogate family and in a very humorous “puppy eyes” scene you see his want for connection, but also his distrust of it too. When it is time for Fred to rejoin his actual family the Grinch lets him leave with a heavy heart. What is great about this is it allowed the Grinch to briefly achieve happiness and allowed him to taste his joyful fate.
The theme of family extends to Cindy Lou as well. Not just because she has a rambunctious household, but the film oddly enough pairs the Grinch up with her mother. Not necessarily a romantic pairing, but everything that is set up with Cindy’s mother is fixed by the Grinch in the final scene where he helps out and takes a piece of her burden, and you get to see Cindy’s mother’s expression as relief, happiness, and hope fill her face.
The story itself plays out very traditionally, except Fred is added in the middle and Cindy’s Christmas dinner is added at the end. These two big addictions helped flesh out the Grinch’s journey and instead of ending with a bang, and everybody loves the Grinch now, the film ends with the Grinch getting up the nerve to socialize and slowly come toward the community he so wanted to destroy. It’s actually quite beautiful to see a children’s movie have a sort of quiet, and thinking, ending these days.
Illumination also brought the creativity. No stranger to odd creations from their Despicable Me franchise, Illumination has captured the spirit of Seuss by replicating and creating new gadgets that’ll delight any fan of Dr. Seuss. From the stealing Christmas equipment to everyday oddities this animated interpretation seems to grasp the creativeness and absurdness that comes with a Dr. Seuss property.
The talent involved in this film did a great job. The child actors were very good and added an extra layer of believability to their roles, and Cindy’s mom and Bricklebaum were delights. It is a pleasant surprise to see, or in this case hear, a well known actor such as Benedict Cumberbatch use a voice for the Grinch instead of his own. While it may need some time to get used to his choice it does add to the character, like how he’s soft and reserved, than if he used his own deep vocals.
Overall this film is a hoot. It understands Christmas and the new additions work surprisingly well. As a new interpretation of a classic tale it was a delight to experience, and it’ll work for both children and adults. There are some really clever creative imagery going on on-screen and there were lots of laughs to enjoy. It’s ultimately a feel good movie that’s a perfect holiday treat for the whole family.
8/10
Film Assist 
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