REVIEW: How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Released in 2000) [20th Anniversary]

DIRECTOR: Ron Howard

PRODUCER: Brain Grazer

WRITERS: Jeffrey Price & Peter S. Seaman (Based on the book by Dr. Seuss)

PERFORMERS: Jim Carrey Jeffrey Tambor Christine Baranski Molly Shannon Bill Irwin

introducing Taylor Momsen Narrated by Anthony Hopkins

It's been said before... Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.' If those words were to be incorporated into this, it would have gone on with 'except... The Grinch sneaking into every who's house stealing the cheerful holiday, etc'. Dr. Seuss didn't use that, but he didn't have to because he didn't need to. Off all the Seuss stories I grew up reading and watching as a kid, I enjoyed this one the most and when adapted into this live action version something told me I was in for something very rare and memorable... A story of having a change of heart, soul and perspective.

Director Ron Howard takes this classic tale and turns it into a holiday film of extreme proportions and incredible heartfelt themes of holiday, family, the real meaning of Christmas and compassion towards others when needed most. From the writers of the 1988 classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit? comes the story is as we all know: small town, a city full of people who love Christmas like it's their world and the anticipation building up to it and a mean, green somewhat boiling individual who doesn't share the same passion. Here, Jim Carrey really pulls off a magnificent performance as the title character The Grinch. Through his comedic timing, facial expressions and even his emotional gestures, you completely buy into his portrayal. But unlike the book, you get a background glimpse into his past history such as where he came from and how his hatred for Christmas started. Of course, most people don't care about those things, but when you think about it without them, there would be no film right? Then there's the one who changes his life and perspective on Christmas altogether: Cindy Lou-Who played by Taylor Momsen. She too delivers first class as the only who in Whoville willing to face The Grinch without hesitation and without fear where others aren't and bring him out of his shell of isolation and depression (LUKE 6:36-38 NIV). Something very rare because you don't see that in today's films. The story itself was also written like it was a real story, but using the elements of the book to capture the original feel without completely deteriorating from Seuss' vision.

The make up is spot on, Rick Baker really out-did himself with this one and the set designs were what really kept me invested. Just as I had remembered in the book and exactly the way they were conceived. As for the film itself, there were a few moments that, still to this day, keep me entertained: the backstory and the climax. Why? Because I found them to be very effective to the character evolution of The Grinch himself. The backstory was like looking into a mirror and seeing one's self as for who they are and just realizing 'so that's what happened' (JAMES 1:24 NIV), in this case, The Grinch when he shouts out to the Who's how much envy he has towards them. The climax because he ultimately, yet reluctantly does the noble thing and gives back. Every time I see Momsen's Cindy Lou on top of that oversized bag of stolen goods, saying ' I came to see you' I tear up at that moment, especially when they smile at each other with the music playing in the background. But when the sleigh is about to tumble even further, The Grinch gains the strength to pull both Cindy and the goods to safety and he's lifting them in the air like he's been working out during his isolation from the village! (PHILIPPIANS 4:13 NIV). That gets me even more every time and I just can't help but cheer! And when he joins the rest of the residents, I melt and weep.

The narration of Sir Anthony Hopkins is also something that seems interesting because if you're going to do a film about a children's story, you might as well have someone tell it. In fact, it makes the film all the more interesting that way because when showing it to a young child, it resonates with that child and somehow sicks with them. I always thought that's what voice over narration in films were about, not just telling you what's happening, but describing the circumstances and exploring the inner thoughts behind this person or that person and their intentions. When you hear Hopkins, he's not speaking from the perspective of The Grinch, he's speaking from the perspective of everyone and their doings. I'm not sure why some folks have a problem with this but I personally don't. If you listen to the voice over and at the same time see what's happening, put the two together and there's your answer. All you have to do is look, listen and observe and that's it. The music... absolutely timeless. James Horner (R.I.P.) gives us a score to remember and another song you just can't have Christmas without.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas is one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all time and there's a reason for that. Many adaptions came and went, including the 1966 Chuck Jones directed animated special and the recent version from a few years ago, but this one has always had a special place in my heart. As a kid, growing up on stories like this used to really make my holiday and I could not celebrate the holiday without coming to this. When I first saw this version twenty years ago, I almost didn't know what to expect. Carrey was already a bonafide star, he won his first award for playing Andy Kaufman, but this role of all the others is the one I keep coming back to the most. If anything it's my most liked performance of his in his craft and artistry as an actor and an entertainer. One time I was chosen to play his character in a holiday themed event and it was fantastic! Throughout the make-up and costume, I embodied his personality and his character traits because they were all the things that made him so flawless in every scene he was in. With Christmas coming up, I look forward to seeing this again and it having the same impact on me as it did 2 decades ago and is usually the last on my Christmas movie playlist to watch every year and it never gets old nor tiring. The Grinch doesn't just steal Christmas, he steals my imagination and my heart and will probably continue to do so for as long as this story lives. Happy 20th Anniversary to How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

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