The Grinch ***
There are many reasons to produce an animated version of The Grinch, the Jim Carrey character who hates Christmas, not least as when you have the makers of Despicable Me behind it, the possibilities are endless and the magic of the latter can filter through into a fun festive offering. Getting your head around Benedict Cumberbatch voicing said character is a little more challenging, but you can hardly tell it’s him from the start.
From Dr. Seuss, The Grinch (Cumberbatch) lives in isolation, high above the village of Christmas-loving Whoville. Determined to put an end to the excessive celebrations of the silly season, he decides to ruin Christmas and steal the Christmas spirit, but for one small, big-hearted child called Cindy-Lou Who (voiced by Cameron Seely).
Kids love animated characters, so directors Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier have won half the battle for Christmas. For adults, it’s all about escapism for an hour or more, and this Christmas film is no exception, full of fuzzy, fun festive colours in a village we would all love to live in; that idyllic cozy one nestled in snowy mountains. With the Christmas scene set, the contrast is The Grinch’s abode.
Here, there is some distinction, though the gloom is less so than in the live-action 2000 original – and deliberately less terrifying too. This is to (shamelessly) inject a bit of the lovable The Secret Life of Pets element into it and firmly establish the one character that all the kids will love – Max, The Grinch’s loyal dog. He gets a starring role in this film. Look out for Max merch on the Santa list. His appeal almost eclipses that of the lead.
For cuteness effect, little Cindy-Lou will have the hardest heart melting. But don’t be fooled; as with all recent animations, this little girl is not all ‘sugar and spice’ anymore. Cindy-Lou 2018 is fiercely independent, the oldest of a single mum of three and more than capable of looking after herself and the household. Her determination is infectious and she is more believable in her endeavors in trying to get The Grinch onside than Taylor Momsen was nearly 20 years ago in the Carrey flick, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. This Cindy-Lou is another Despicable Me gal, just like Margo, Edith and Agnes, designed to speak to – and for – kids.
With all the family-film elements, including slapstick antics, moral values and ‘love thy neighbour’ at this time of year message, The Grinch is solid and consumable entertainment that may feel lacking in wider, original narrative, but borrows or mimics the elements that made the previous kids classics like Despicable Me and The Secret Life of Pets so highly successful. The proof is in the Christmas pudding, so why change the recipe now?
