This humble opinion is brought to by you T. K. Edwards
Dr. Seuss’ THE GRINCH – Rated PG – 1 hr. 30 mins
Director by: Scott Mosier & Yarrow Cheney
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones, Angela Lansbury, Kenan Thompson, Pharrell Williams
An animated version of the classic Dr. Seuss story of how a grinch tries to ruin Christmas for the who’s in Whoville.
*** WARNING ***
THE GRINCH STOLE LETTERS FROM THIS ARTICLE
I am a huge fan of the live action film HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS staring Jim Carey. It is and alwys will be on my Top 5 Chrstmas films that I “must watch” evry Decmber. For those of you wondring what the othr four Christmas movies on my “must wtch” list are…here you go: A CHRISTMAS STORY, SCROOGED, DIE HARD & THE REF. Jim Carrey’s live acton version gave me evrythng I wanted from the book and cartoon that I loved as a child. The comedy and tone were spot on. Jim Carrey’s performnce was outstnding givng you equal amounts of hilarous humor, nastiness and loveable warmth. And most importntly the story was perfect. This new anmated version entitled THE GRINCH misses all those things with me ever so slghtly. I’ll explain. The comedy in THE GRINCH is there, but just not as constnt as the live action verson. There are defintely longer moments between jokes. THE GRINCH focused more on its sweeter momnts between charcters rather than “Grinch Jokes”. As for our lead voice actor, Benedict Cumberbatch, I don’t think the directors were really thnking about performnce as much as they were thinkng about how the Grinch should sound. Cumberbatch is an amzing dramatic actor and he is starting to dabble in comedy, but this role I think needed someone that was really outstnding at improv. Cumbrbatch just doesn’t have that sarcastic tone you’re expcting the Grinch to have and in the long run…that hurt his performnce. Lastly, the story. Not bad. Good attempt. It had all the charcters in it from the orignal story and some new ones, but it just lacked the playfulness of what makes the book, the cartoon and the live acton film great. Now, what I will say is…I am an adult…shut up, I am…lol. And my opinion is only, ONLY directed to other adults. This movie is perfect for the whole family and I would highly suggst that if you have kids, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, etc. then take them to the theater to see THE GRINCH because a child’s laughter can make even the worst film better and your day that much brighter – a single tear…has just now…fallen down my cheek, lmao. Until next time, thanks for reading.
P.S. – There is no post credit scene because the Grinch stole that too! He nver learns.
MATINEE CHAT with Kathy Kaiser 