Entertainment

Film Review: The Grinch

Animated still from The Grinch

This film is challenging, entertaining and delightful.

The Grinch hates Christmas. Living in the mountains just above Whoville, The Grinch and his loyal dog Max only venture to town to buy groceries. They generally stay away in December to avoid the Whos irritating enthusiasm for the festive season.

However the grumpy and cantankerous Grinch who has a heart ‘two sizes too small’ has been wallowing in self-pity, and his emotional eating has left the pantry bare.

After a shopping trip to Whoville where he is sickened by the Whos Christmas decorations, carols and oversized tree, the Grinch decides a suitable revenge would be to steal Christmas the overly happy Whos.

This retelling of the classic 1957 Dr Seuss book ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ features Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of the Grinch and Angela Landsbury as the voice of Mayor McGerkle.

The story remains true to the original but is given a contemporary feel through the narration by Pharrell Williams and some new songs by Tyler the Creator. The soundtrack also includes well known seasonal tunes which the whole family will know including Silent Night, Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Jingle Bells.

Also featuring Cameron Seely as the voice of Cindy Lou Who and Rashida Jones and Donna Lou Who, this familiar story is an ideal Christmas family movie with plenty of laughs and superb quality animation by Illumination Mac Guff.

This Dr Seuss favourite also tackles some great values for younger audiences including social isolation, forgiveness, greed and the value of community.

I took a couple of young guests (nine and eleven years) to the premiere screening and they thoroughly enjoyed this film, giving it a 5 out of 5 rating and laughing and chatting about the funny moments all the way home.

In the words of the inspiring author himself ‘Children want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained, and delighted’. This film does just that.

Check out the website for further details.

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