CLEVELAND, Ohio – Have you ever wondered how the Grinch became “a mean one?”
Why he’s waging his own personal war on Christmas?
Well, now is your chance to find out.
Directors Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier’s modern retelling of the Dr. Seuss classic is very much of its time. Not only do they take a look at the Grinch’s motivation – just what makes him so mean? – Cindy Lou Who is also the child of a struggling single mom. All she wants for Christmas is to make her mom’s life a bit easier.
If that sounds like it’s a lot of backstory, it is. But it works. Chesney and Mosier and writers Michael LeSieur and Tommy Swerdlow stay true to the heart of Dr. Seuss’ beloved favorite about a mean Grinch who tries to ruin Whoville’s Christmas, but ends up with his heart growing three sizes when they show him the true meaning of the holiday. It’s the people, Grinch, not the gifts.
Gorgeous animation by Illumination Entertainment that pops from the screen really brings the story alive, as does the adorable dog Max who almost steal the show from Grinch (the stellar Benedict Cumberbatch). A new addition, Fred the really fat reindeer, is a hoot.
Cumberbatch is smooth and scheming as the Grinch, but with an undercurrent of sadness from his lonely childhood. Rashida Jones as Donna Lou Who and Angela Lansbury as the Mayor are also standouts, as is 11-year-old Cameron Seely as Cindy Lou Who. My only quibble is that Pharrell Williams is a surprisingly bland narrator.
I was skeptical that the short story by Dr. Seuss, already immortalized in the 26-minute Boris Karloff-starring 1966 animated TV special “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” could be stretched into an 86-minute movie. I shouldn’t have been. The new-era “Grinch” is a holiday treat, a modern take on a classic tale sure to make the hearts of viewers of all ages grow a few sizes.
The Grinch
Who: Directed by Yarrow Cheney, Scott Mosier. With the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones, Pharrell Williams, Angela Lansbury, Kenan Thompson.
Rated: PG for brief rude humor.
Grade: A
Running time: 86 minutes
When: Opens Friday
Where: Area theaters