"How The Grinch Stole Christmas" Rated PG
***.5/*****
Ron Howard's big screen adaptation of the classic Christmas tale is a very cheery and pleasant holiday film. Jim Carrey is the Grinch, a furry green misfit who lives in seclusion apart from all the Who's living in Whoville, up on Mount Crumpit. He hates everything but especially Christmas. The Who's are living peacefully in their little town, and are buying like crazy, and enjoying the Holiday spirit. Everyone except cute little Cindy Lou Who. She believes that there is something more to Christmas besides presents, but isn't sure what it is.
After the Grinch gets invited down the town to accept an award, and after he burns down the town tree and creates general havoc all over the town, he gets a very devious idea. He decides that he must stop this Christmas from coming, but how? He will steal it!
Although not nearly as good as the 1966 cartoon, this film does have its good points. The directing by Ron Howard (who I'm convinced can do anything) is amazing. The movie has a very gaudy feel to it through the incredible sets and buildings, and the whole different world. In Whoville, buildings aren't as boring and filled with perpendicularity and right angles as our world. Instead, the buildings are all warped and morphed to a visual appealing fantasy atmospheres. And, of course, Jim Carrey is the highpoint. He is extremely energetic and fits in to this role perfectly. He is the only person who could have played this part, and he did it perfectly. His acting is just as good in side an enormous suit than it is out of one (no, that's not a joke.) He is another person who I am convinced can do anything.
However it is lacking some very important things that the cartoon had. For instance a good musical score. The only musical parts of this movie are a very inadequate rendition of the main song "Mr. Grinch", and a quite annoying song called "Where are you Christmas".
Overall, Grinch is a happy, average holiday film to get you in the right mood for Christmas. It is also a must-see for any Jim Carrey or Ron Howard fan.
