REEL REVIEWS COLUMN: How 'The Grinch' stole $6.50
By Justin Smith
Filming "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" probably sounded like a great idea when presented to Universal Pictures executives. After all, what can go wrong with simply converting one of Dr. Seuss’ most successful books into a full-length, live-action film with Ron Howard ("Apollo 13") directing and superstar Jim Carrey starring as the Christmas-hating Grinch? Sounds great, right?
But things can go wrong, and they do quickly. From the opening scene, Whoville (home of the munchkin-like Whos) is depicted as an unpleasant place to live. The Whos are overrun with holiday greediness, the town’s mayor is immoral, and the Whos are even shown to be adulterous. Is this the magical Whoville Dr. Seuss intended?
But there is a bigger problem with this film. It’s bloated. Expanding a 30-minute cartoon to a nearly two-hour movie obviously requires some additions to the story, but some of the storylines chosen for this film just seem wrong.
Howard’s adaptation explores the Grinch’s past, attempting to explain why the Grinch hates Christmas and why he lives secluded at the top of Mount Crumpit. You would think the writers would generate something more creative than the Grinch being teased as a child, but they don’t. A young Grinch attends school with Who children, but he is Christmas-calloused already.
His hate of Christmas is pushed further when, fueled by his crush on a female classmate, the Grinch participates in Christmas cheer only to be made fun of by a malicious classmate. This leads to a disturbing scene of the young Grinch running away to deserted, snow-capped Mount Crumpit.
Anyone who hasn’t lived under a rock their entire life has a fair idea of the rest of the story. The Grinch concocts a plan to steal Christmas, learns a lesson from a little girl, and is finally accepted by the Whos. Aside from some minor alterations, the movie retains the same story.
Don’t get me wrong; this movie has some great moments, most of which involve Carrey. This is a role that is perfect for him. Although you don’t see Carrey under all the makeup and prosthetics, his famous contortions make the character of the Grinch come alive, but even this isn’t enough to save the movie.
Rating: 5 (out of 10)