The Grinch (2018)

Christmas is a time where people appreciate the simpler things of life. And Hollywood follows this notion by releasing films around the holiday season. Films like “It's a Wonderful Life”, “A Christmas Story”, and multiple versions of “A Christmas Carol” have entertained generations for many years. One Christmas special that is very unique is The Grinch. Created by Theodore Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, this character is the ultimate curmudgeon when it comes to Christmas, and has been interpreted in media numerous times since the character's inception in book form. Now, in the year 2018, Hollywood is returning to The Grinch with another animated adaptation, with a result of being unnecessary. “The Grinch feels more or less a cash grab on a beloved character, than another attempt to bring forth a Christmas classic.

Everyone knows the story to The Grinch. But for the five of you who do not know, here it is: a mean old green monster is fed up with Christmas for the last time, and plans on stealing pretty much everything from his neighbors so that they can suffer without any happiness whatsoever. That's pretty much it.

As stated before, “The Grinch” just feels unnecessary, and not really has the purpose of being made. Sure, there are some modern things present, but what is the point? The story of The Grinch works best as either a short book, or a short television special, which is what happened in 1966 with Chuck Jones behind the helm.

Plus, the message does apply well to audiences: family does have its value, even when we have a multitude of necessity. But with The Grinch, he learns this message at the end of the story, instead of someone telling him this.

Speaking of characters, most of them of feel like they do not serve a purpose. Especially The Grinch himself.

Voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, he just doesn't sound like The Grinch, especially when compared to other actors like Boris Karloff and Jim Carrey. Cumberbatch just feels as if he his putting on a different voice to make the character more believable, but it doesn't work.

As for the rest of the cast, especially the actress who plays Cindy Lou Who, does a pretty good job with their roles, except for one other actor.

That actor being Kenan Thompson, who plays more of a comic relief for The Grinch, and it just doesn't work. Maybe the character could relate to The Grinch, or value the same morals as The Grinch, but the character that Thompson plays, just feels out of place, and doesn't fit very well.

Now onto the real meat and potatoes of this production: the animation.

Illumination Entertainment, the team behind the “Despicable Me” movies and had previously worked on another Seuss adaptation, “The Lorax”, provides a digital world of Dr. Seuss. And, honestly, this movie does excel in the animation department. The backgrounds are nice and colorful, as well as the sets that are provided are big. Big enough to fully appreciate what is going on the screen, and seeing every little detail that is happening.

On top of this, the character designs are unique, and are very different than any other previous version of The Grinch. Especially on the Who's, who definitely have a more modern feel than anything else that we have seen prior. As for The Grinch himself, he doesn't look too bad, and the has sort of curmudgeon feel throughout most of the movie.

The music by Danny Elfman is also positive that can compliment the movie. It's lively and feel at home during the holidays. Plus, the soundtrack, while not perfect, has some good hummable tunes that everyone can sing along to.

Also, while watching the movie, there's really nothing that can be truly negative or displeasing throughout the whole viewing experience. It's harmless, and the movie knows this as well.

“The Grinch” is one of those movies that looks nice, but the overall experience just feels like Hollywood is on this sort of repetition with itself. All I have to say is humbug!