‘The Grinch’ movie review
By Sonam Kaloti, Arts Editor
3/5
This Grinch has something very different to offer from the original—he is not so much a “mean one” as before.
The new adaption of The Grinch has quite a few major twists in the plotline. This was a pro and a con for many. It was a pro because we get to watch a brand-new movie instead of the recycled yearly 1966 classic, which we love but can’t say it hasn’t gotten old. The biggest con was that it lacks a lot of the essence from the original animated movie. The joy in Whoville is there, but it seems somewhat remote and small. The characters just aren’t as bustling with energy. The bouncing-off-the-wall aspect of Whoville is a disappointing loss. Still, this remake had enough of the properties of the old movie that watching this in all its Christmas movie magic made me feel like I was watching the original as a child once again.
I watched The Grinch in 3D, which I deem to be a good feature of the film. Watching without the 3D would have removed a whole layer to the movie, since there are many scenes within the film where action is popping out of the screen.
The animation is cute and still has a childhood animated feel to it. The characters all look cute, fluffy, and huggable. Cindy Lou’s hair is a flowing field of golden wheat, while the Grinch looks like an HD, freshly-mowed grass lawn.
Narration is done by Pharrell Williams in such a way that the story sounds hip and the rhymes are spoken as if they are being rapped. Benedict Cumberbatch voices a wonderful Grinch—he doesn’t sound like the original voice actor, but this Grinch voice is easily able to share the label. The soundtrack features several tracks performed by Tyler, the Creator.
Disappointingly, there are some very slow parts in the movie. After the rush of the beginning in all its fresh glory, the middle of the film relies heavily on the original, and thus on the book by Dr. Seuss, for the plot. The ending of The Grinch is the same in theory but different in practice. The beginning of the movie tells us a lot about the Grinch’s adorable and loyal puppy, Max. It also tells us of Cindy Lou Who’s wish for Santa, which is to help her single mom who is extremely overworked. A new backstory tells us the Grinch was an orphan who never got to have a family, therefore resulting in him feeling the most alone at Christmastime. As a result, he harbours resentment for the holiday.
By the end of the movie the Grinch does, of course, have his heart grow back to normal after years of his heart being two sizes too small. While not entirely fresh and yet not entirely faithful to the source, The Grinch serves as a decently nostalgic kick-off to the holiday season.
