The Grinch Parent Guide

Remaking a beloved classic is always a risky proposition. The 1966 television adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ timeless “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” has been an annual seasonal tradition for generations of children. With its faithful retelling of the original story, whimsical mid-century aesthetic, unforgettable soundtrack, and flawless character animation (who can forget the Grinch’s evil grin?), it’s hard to beat. The live action remake in 2000 certainly failed to do so. Its crude humor and Jim Carey’s creepy make up and prosthetics detracted from the charm of the story. The big question in 2018 is: Does this year’s animated version live up to the original TV special? The answer is: Not quite, but it comes very, very close.

Our story begins with the green, grumpy Grinch (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) holed up in his mountain lair, loathing Christmas and hating the residents of nearby Whoville. Nursing his resentments, the crotchety curmudgeon decides that if he can’t enjoy Christmas, no one will so he dreams up an audacious plan to steal Christmas from every single Who. At the same time, young Cindy Lou Who (who is far more than two and is voiced by Cameron Seely) is hatching a plot to trap Santa so she can ask him to help her hard-working, selfless single mother (voiced by Rashida Jones). Viewers will not be startled when their plans intersect in a not-too-surprising way.

The plot differs from the book at a few points but holds few surprises for older viewers. It also feels bloated, a natural result of stretching a children’s book to feature film length. And the soundtrack is a disappointment, although to be fair, I am so wedded to the original music and narration by Boris Karloff and Thurl Ravenscroft that I’m not sure I could like any other. That being said, this film shines in its visuals and animation. The sets are all beautifully rendered – from the Grinch’s lonely home to his friend’s over-decorated house, to the town of Whoville, which is a bright, festive, child’s fantasy – so popping with colorful decorations that it looks good enough to eat. The animation is also superior, with the Grinch’s fur depicted in exacting detail: you can see individual hairs blowing in the wind. The animators have managed to project the Grinch’s personality, even adding a touch of vulnerability and self-doubt that was missing in previous versions. Max the dog and Fred the reindeer also have distinct personalities - a real achievement for these non-verbal characters

Parents looking for a new family Christmas tradition could do worse than this cheerful, upbeat movie. It has very few content issues aside from slapstick violence which will only scare the most sensitive children. And it has wonderful messages about caring for others, treasuring family, reaching out to those who are alone, letting go of past hurts, changing for the better, and forgiving others. Parents will also appreciate the movie’s message about Christmas. When the Whos wake up on Christmas Day and discover that their gifts and trees are gone, Donna Lou Who reminds little Cindy Lou that gifts aren’t Christmas: Christmas is in your heart. And the Grinch, preparing to carve the roast beast at the festive dinner that evening, proposes a toast: “To kindness and love, the things we need most.” That’s a message we all need to hear. Every year.