Opening 29 Nov 2018
Directed by:
Yarrow Cheney, Scott Mosier
Writing credits:
Michael LeSieur, Tommy Swerdlow, Dr. Seuss
Principal actors:
Benedict Cumberbatch, Cameron Seely, Rashida Jones, Pharrell Williams, Kenan Thompson
Here we are with a new version of the book How the Grinch stole Christmas, which was published in 1957 by Dr. Seuss. The story is still as appealing as it was when it first hit the market more than 60 years ago. The Grinch is a funny green person who lives alone in a cave on the top of Mount Cumpit overlooking the town of Whoville. From his viewpoint, the Grinch can see all the people collecting trees and food and presents necessary to celebrate Christmas, a holiday he hates. He decides to steal these ridiculous props and spoil the holiday for all. He hitches up his dog Max to a sleigh and races down into the valley. In one house, where he is loading up the Christmas tree, he runs into a little girl named Cindy Lou. It’s much more difficult driving back up the mountain with a fully loaded sleigh. The next morning to his surprise, his deed has not driven the villagers into a state of woe and sadness; no, instead, they are singing Christmas carols in the marketplace.
Naturally, every generation must learn about the Grinch; it’s just general education. And here we have, once again, a filmed version to do the job, even if you already do know the book or the television shows or the first filmed version in 2000, which starred real actors, including Jim Carrey as the Grinch. Here the animation is fine; there are 24 songs to support the action. It is being shown in 3D; I saw it in 2D which was definitely very good; there is no real need to see the film in 3D. (Becky Tan)
