DR. SEUSS' 'HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS'

2000

Whatever happened to the concept of "less is more?" If you're really interested in Dr. Seuss' "The Grinch,"(as opposed to director Ron Howard's "The Grinch,") then go to your local bookstore and buy a copy of the 33 -year-old classic. Seuss (Theodore Geisel) wrote a simple fable of selfishness, greed, and love, based on Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Ron Howard has buried this simple story under 10-million dollars worth of styrofoam sets used to depict Whoville (which Seuss conveys in one simple pen-and-ink sketch of a stepped arch!), and then destroyed the story completely by hiring Jim Carrey. In spite of a ton of ridiculous green make-up and costuming, Jim Carrey mugs shamelessly, changes accents continuously, and is never "The Grinch," but always Jim Carrey! If you want to hear what The Grinch SHOULD sound like, rent the animated version of the story, with a wonderful narration by Boris Karloff. Everything about the current film is unnecessarily overblown and completely lacking in the charm of the original book. I can only hope that this doesn't happen to Harry Potter!!!

1 Star

NJB

Let's face it- there's really very little of Dr. Seuss' classic tale represented here. Its basically just Jim Carrey bouncing around and doing his schtick. The story has been amended to make it a full length feature and even the songs don't sound so good. If you like Jim Carrey, though, its hilarious. All the same, some things just should be left alone. Shame on Ron Howard.

2.5 Stars

CDF