The Grinch

To accurately review the remake of a previous film, I would love to be able to discard any feelings and emotions that exist for the previous one. However, that review would not be accurate at all as the new film’s relation to the old one is one of the most important aspects of any remake. So, in reviewing Illumination Entertainment’s rendition of the 1957 Dr. Seuss book, and the 1966 made for TV movie, and the 2000 Ron Howard film, it would be ill advised to not first discuss how it relates to those versions. 
            The first thing that stands out with this Grinch character is that he does not at all seem like the “mean one,” he has been in the past. And it’s not just him, the entire world the film takes place in has been morphed and transformed to fit Illumination Entertainment’s aesthetic: one that is more aptly defined as “adorable” rather than mean. That’s not to say that the animation isn’t well done, it is fantastic. They have somehow found a way to introduce an incredible realism to the obviously fantastical world of Dr. Seuss. But the Grinch does not feel like the Grinch. His anger is more cute and humorous than actually threatening, and Benedict Cumberbatch’s voicing of the character surprisingly does not give him any edge. These changes are certainly choices and not due to a lack of execution, but it makes this film feel completely disingenuous to the originals as it does not truly tell the same story as those films in the past.
            What it does do is slap on an established aesthetic and a cut-and-paste plot to an already beloved character in order to attract an audience. I was hoping this film would be more than bright colors and great animation, but it isn't. This rendition gives nothing new to the original, nor, frankly, does it do it justice.

Comments

  1. Madison ZaccagninoDecember 17, 2018 at 11:05 AM

    I personally liked the film for the exact reasons that you don't: it was cute. I thought Donna Who's single mother story line was heartwarming and made for a very good kids movie. That being said--it was a kids movie
    I completely agree that the Grinch was not portrayed as "a mean one". The only difference between him and the rest of the adorable Whos is that he's green. I also think that Benedict Cumberbatch did not do the roll justice. He didn't sound malicious at all, he just sounded like a 40 year old man.
    I see all of the same problems with it that you did. But, at the end of the day the film made me smile.

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