How the Grinch Stole Christmas

I don’t quite remember when I first found out about this live action film but I do remember seeing it for the first time. I like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” a lot for many reasons, even though it isn’t perfect. Jim Carrey as the Grinch is the biggest reason why the movie is so entertaining but not the only reason. The design and adaptation are also noteworthy. This is the first Dr. Seuss book to be adapted into a live action feature film and thanks to "The Cat in the Hat", it will probably be the last for a long time to come. The filmmakers also had to reference the very popular cartoon special by Chuck Jones and did just fine. The final product is fun, pleasing to the eye and humorous. I like the films of both director Ron Howard & Jim Carrey and this is my favorite family film from both of their filmographies.

As with many of his films, it is impossible for me to mention all the good parts of Jim Carrey’s performance because there are too many of them. His humor takes a center role as well as his level of energy. After watching this and other Jim Carrey movies, I have so much liveliness. Because this is a full-length feature, the title character needs to be further developed. In this movie, the Grinch is like Bigfoot in the world of the Whos and the newspaper front-page story best illustrates this. The Grinch also takes on a similar persona as the Wicked Witch of the West in that the Whos know that he exists and they fear him. Inside, the Grinch it turns out is not like these personas at all but he feels that he has no choice but to embody these assumed roles. He has to live up to his name as the Grinch and therefore nothing can go right for him. He is a very conflicting individual and this creates humor. He removes the tablecloth without disturbing the items on the table but as the Grinch, he has to run back and make sure that even the table falls over like it is “supposed to” for him. He doesn’t want people calling him on the phone but yet he still has a phone and an answering machine. His voicemail greeting deters anyone from leaving a voice message but he allows faxes. He is villainous but his evil deeds consist of pranks. He plans to solve world hunger but tell no one. Just like many people who are on a weight-loss roller coaster, the Grinch is on a heart size roller coaster. Jim Carrey is perfect in all these moments. I love other moments such as his attempts to drown out the singing, deciding whether or not to go to the Whovillation and what to wear. The Whovillation scene itself is entertaining because of Jim’s performance. It is too much Christmas for the Grinch’s first time in years and Jim takes full advantage of the comic possibilities. The best example of his comic timing is his reaction to whatever is not Christmas pudding that was just put in his mouth. His change in attitude towards the end of the montage creates funny moments as well. Jim’s performance of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” his so typical of his persona and that is another great sequence. The other montage when he steals Christmas is also fun. You can hear a little of Boris Karloff in Jim’s performance, which is good. As wonderful as Jim is in this character, the film success doesn’t fully rely on his performance alone.

The next best thing about “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is the makeup. For his work on this film, Rick Baker won his 6th Oscar and rightfully so. Because of his work, when I see the lead character in the movie it is more like the Grinch playing Jim Carrey instead of the other way around. The makeup did not restrict Jim’s facial acting, which is his best quality. Also, every supporting character and extra has makeup on which is a huge undertaking. The Whos look whimsical but they’re human-like at the same time so as to be relatable. The design of the film is very true to the book and it deserves its costume and art direction Oscar nominations. The cinematography is also whimsical. Anthony Hopkins' narration brings a similar feeling that the cartoon did and Taylor Momsen’s performance is perfect. As with all his films, Ron Howard casts members of his family in supporting roles or as extras. He even dedicates the film to his mother, who was the grandmother on “Apollo 13”. The live action film references both the book and the classic cartoon very well. Besides the humor from Jim Carrey, there are other funny moments written into the film for balance. The story is extended into feature length reasonably well and I like some of the additions. The Whos in this movie have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and this is meant as a representation of our society. The film’s message is more obvious because of that although less dramatic than the cartoon's climax. In the cartoon and book, the Grinch decides to steal Christmas for no apparent reason other than the fact that he has had enough. In the movie, the Grinch’s failure to ruin the Whovillation is what puts him over the edge and that makes a little more sense. I like how we acknowledge the real Santa in the movie. Other versions failed to do so. Also, I laugh at the scene when Cindy Lou asks “Santa” what Christmas is really about. The Grinch almost blows his cover but pulls off the fib by giving the classic, wrong meaning of Christmas: presents. The one thing I don’t like about this movie is the Grinch’s back-story. In all the versions, even this one, it is clearly indicated that “no one quite knows the reason” why the Grinch hates Christmas. In the past, this made his change of heart at the end all the more sweet and wonderful. The true spirit of Christmas is stronger than his unreasonable grudge. By giving the Grinch a back-story of why he hates Christmas, you take away the original power of the climax. Sure, it makes the Grinch redeemable but he did not need a back-story to be pitied. His act of saving Cindy Lou was alone enough to show that there was some good in him and that he was worth saving. Besides that one flaw, the story was well adapted and extended. Even though the Grinch’s heart grows at the end of the film, he still keeps the appealing parts of his personality. As he says: “One step at a time”. He offers the gizzard of the roast beast for example even though he has no intension of giving it to anyone but himself.

The opening snowfall and music that follows the Imagine Entertainment logo gives the film a perfect opening. The movie is not only funny but it also has sweet mood that begins with the opening shot and is reprised throughout. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” belongs in my many annual traditions. Jim Carrey is hilarious and will hopefully become immortal through his performance. The adaptation is for the most part well done as we experience our favorite parts of the book and the cartoon. The design is so over the top that I would hope that Dr. Seuss would be proud.

4.5 Stars