I will start out by saying that I absolutely love Christmas. I really don't think I could be further from a Scrooge if I tried and I enjoy nothing more than spreading tidings of comfort and joy the entire month of December. Therefore, I was thrilled to attend a screening of Illumination Studios' "The Grinch" ahead of its Nov. 9 release. Benedict Cumberbatch and Rashida Jones in a classic Dr. Seuss tale? Sign me up.
Unfortunately for me, as cute as the film was, it fell short of my expectations. Why? I'm glad you asked.
The Good
The lovely Benedict Cumberbatch lends his voice to Mr. Grinch (and oh what a lovely voice he has) and I would be remiss if I didn't admit that I loved him in this role. The pure buoyancy he added to the character is one that has never been seen, especially in Jim Carrey's 2000 adaptation, with humor so over-the-top we forgot we were watching a children's story all together.
Cumberbatch respects the character and the long history behind it while adding modern flair to appeal to today's audiences. In one particularly relatable scene, he plays a melancholy rendition of "All by Myself" on the pipe organ while his canine companion, Max, plays the cymbals. In another, he engages in a hilarious bout of "emotional eating" while still confused about how he ran out of groceries so quickly. If I had a nickel, I tell ya.
The Bad
First and foremost, the studio tried way too hard to capitalize on the holiday season with this film. If you want to release yet another remake of a classic like this, do it in mid-December or even as a Christmas Day premiere. There is no reason for anyone to see "The Grinch" in theaters two weeks before Thanksgiving, plain and simple.
Nothing in this film was inherently bad. As I mentioned above, I did enjoy it. That said, I did have one big issue, which brings me to my next point...
The Ugly
Quite simply, this film is attempting to fill a void that just isn't there. Nothing will ever compare to 1966's made-for-TV "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" that perfectly sums up Dr. Seuss's iconic children's book in 26 magical minutes. It was narrated by the late great Boris Karloff ("Frankenstein") and directed by Chuck Jones, the same man who fathered the Looney Tunes. How can you beat that? Sure, Jim Carrey's remake served as comedic relief that we could all use around the holidays, but beyond that, this is a story that's been done and done well.
The Bottom Line
Above all, "The Grinch" is a cute movie. Take your kids to see it or send the babysitter with them when you need a day off to wrap presents. But, for the love of god, please show your tots the original first so they can see how far it's come. If you haven't already, honor Dr. Seuss's legacy and read them the book a few times.
This is a family-friendly movie. As far as remakes go, if you don't want your young ones to watch Jim Carrey's borderline-inappropriate take on the character, "The Grinch" is a great alternative. You'll love the "Frozen"-esque nods in both the furry friends our Grinch chooses as companions and in the just-shy-of-lifelike animation style.
Then, remember your roots and consider watching "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" when you get home. Because long live claymation, am I right?