12 Reviews of Christmas - The Grinch (2000)

         Hey guys, Chuck here. Last year for 12 Reviews of Christmas, I reviewed the timeless holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and while I still contend that that's the best adaptation of Dr. Seuss's story, most everyone I talk to is more familiar with the live-action remake with Jim Carrey in the title role. So, since it's the twentieth anniversary of that film this year, we'll be taking a look at it. This is the live-action version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

        We open in Whoville, the home of the Who's. We meet Cindy Lou, along with her father, as they're getting ready for Christmas. Cindy Lou, however, is having a case of the holiday blues, as she can't seem to find the true meaning of Christmas. Meanwhile, Cindy Lou's two older brothers, Drew and Stu, are running up to the top of Mt. Crumpit. In an attempt to impress the two Who girls that are with them, they try knocking on the Grinch's door, only to be scared off. The Grinch, meanwhile, decides to head down into Whoville to screw with everyone in town. Interestingly, saying the name of the Grinch is considered an offense in Whoville, particularly at Christmas time. However, at the post office, run by Cindy Lou's father, Cindy Lou runs into the Grinch, who's still messing with people through the mail. After getting wrapped up like a Christmas present, Cindy Lou and her father head home, where her mother Betty is setting up Christmas lights in an attempt to one-up their neighbor, the resident Who Ho Martha May, who as a child had a thing for the Grinch, but has been on the arm of the Mayor, Augustus MayWho, since the Grinch left Whoville. 

           So, aside from messing with the Who's, you may be wondering what the Grinch does at this point of the movie. Well, apparently, he likes to sit around making pop culture references. Is it hilarious? Yes. Does it move the plot along? No, they leave that to Cindy Lou, who goes around town learning about the Grinch's past. Apparently, he was raised by a couple of old maids, but as he got older, and attended school, the other Who children, particularly Augustus, were cruel to him and treated him like an outcast. Again, with the exception of Martha May. After making a custom tree topper for Martha May, Grinch decided to give himself a shave, but ended up with tons of cuts on his face, and when he was mocked, he went insane with anger, and declared his hatred for Christmas. Grinch then ran away, spending the next years of his life living in his cave atop Mt. Crumpit hating both Christmas and the Who's. 

        It's Christmas Eve, and Whoville is getting ready to crown their annual Holiday Cheermeister. Cindy Lou nominates the Grinch for the award, much to the detriment of the Mayor. Cindy Lou climbs Mt. Crumpit to give the Grinch the news, and he kicks her out. After contemplating a bit, and stealing a pair of lederhosen, the Grinch heads down, and begrudgingly enjoys the festivities. But after a painful reminder of his childhood, the Grinch causes all manner of anarchy, even burning down the tree in town square. 

          Return to Mt. Crumpit, the Grinch decides to steal Christmas from the Who's. The Grinch then makes himself a Santa hat and coat, and proceeds to (I'm not kidding here) pimp his ride to "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." And admittedly, Jim Carrey performing the cover of the iconic song himself is pretty funny. So, the Grinch and his dog Max head down to Whoville and steal all the decorations, food, and presents. Christmas morning arrives, and the Who's wake up, and they start singing "Boo Hoo." The Mayor goes into a n angry tirade over inviting the Grinch to celebrate Christmas. However, Lou stands up for his daughter, saying that Christmas isn't about the presents or the decorations, and all he needs for Christmas is his family. The rest of Whoville agrees, and they all sing the Whoville Christmas song. The Grinch, hearing this, has his big revelation, his heart, grows three sizes, and he returns the things he stole to the Who's. Oh, and Martha May breaks up with the Mayor to hook back up with the Grinch, who formally joins in with the Christmas celebration with the Who's, ending the movie with the Christmas feast in the Grinch's cave.

          Okay, so this version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is funny. Jim Carrey is hilarious as the Grinch, and Taylor Momsen was really good as Cindy Lou. And I definitely liked the narration by Anthony Hopkins. Director Ron Howard did a great job making a holiday classic that is watched by millions every year. However, I still contend that the original animated TV special that Chuck Jones made is the superior version. Overall, the live-action version is funny, and definitely worth a watch, but I still prefer the original. I'm giving the live-action version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas a rating of 4/5. Now yes, I do plan to review the 2018 computer animated version of The Grinch with Benedict Cumberbatch in the future, but I'm not sure when yet. As for tomorrow for 12 Reviews of Christmas, it's back to the Disney well with a review of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. See you guys then.