Cloying fancy gives way to gross-out comedy, twisted social commentary, affecting pathos, and weirdly sexualized romance in this lurid live-action version of the classic children's book.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:30
Fresh:16
Rotten:14
Average Rating:5.2/10
Consensus: Jim Carrey shines as the Grinch. Unfortunately, it's not enough to save this movie. You'd be better off watching the TV cartoon.
Theatrical Release:Nov 17, 2000 Wide
Box Office: $259,011,600
Synopsis: Director Ron Howard casts comedian Jim Carrey in the title role in this live-action adaptation of the famous Christmas tale by Dr. Seuss, giving this rendition of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS a... Director Ron Howard casts comedian Jim Carrey in the title role in this live-action adaptation of the famous Christmas tale by Dr. Seuss, giving this rendition of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS a delightfully manic spin. Carrey is virtually unrecognizable in his elaborate green makeup, but his anarchic comic touch is unmistakable. He manages to fully embody the grumpy title character, while still supplying his own comedic touches, and it is his performance that makes the film a treat for adults and children alike. The candy-colored set design for the town of Whoville and the jubilant score contribute to the overall feeling of innocuous fantasy that the Grinch disrupts with his dastardly deeds. The familiar story of the Grinch stealing every present in town on Christmas Eve has been expanded to incorporate flashbacks to the Grinch's childhood, which serve to explain his hostility toward the Whos. As Cindy Lou-Who, a little girl so sweet she sees goodness even in the Grinch, young Taylor Momsen strikes just the right note of adorable ingenuousness. Howard gets the performance the film needs from her, as her character makes the Grinch's eventual change of heart both believable and touching. [More]
Starring: Jim Carrey, Molly Shannon, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski
Starring: Jim Carrey, Molly Shannon, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Verne Troyer, Mindy Sterling, Bill Irwin, Clint Howard, Taylor Momsen
Director: Ron Howard
Director: Ron Howard
Screenwriter: Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman
Producer: Brian Grazer
Composer: James Horner
Studio: Universal Pictures
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Reviews for How the Grinch Stole Christmas
How the Grinch stole Christmas is one kind of larceny. How Jim Carrey steals the picture is another matter entirely.
Less entertaining, less enlightening and less educational than either the book or the video.
It's not Christmas that's being stolen here. It's the spirit of Dr. Seuss.
Generally delightful live-action adaptation of the children's classic.
Carrey enables Ron Howard's version of the classic story to come across as more of a welcome endeavor than a pointless re-tread.
An instant classic that will keep people streaming into multiplexes this year and for many more to come.
Actually pretty entertaining, even for grown-ups, once you get through the first 10.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one overstuffed movie, but it's by no means a turkey.
You've got a stinker that deserves to be locked away in the yuletide bomb shelter along with Scrooged and Santa Claus: The Movie.
This is Jim Carrey's show, and he just about wraps the movie around his spindly green middle finger.
If you have little moviegoers around for the holidays, you should still make the trip to Whovillie.
Overall, the film sparkles. But it's a curiously unaffecting sparkle.
Nobody wants to leave Grinch feeling grouchy. And probably nobody will.
Latest News for How the Grinch Stole Christmas
August 01, 2007:
Trailer Bulletin: Horton Hears a Who
The last few times somebody tried to turn Dr. Seuss into a movie, the results were ... How the Grinch Stole Christmas and (dear lord) The Cat in the Hat. And then somebody got... More...
February 05, 2007:
Jim Carrey Talks About Voicing Dr. Seuss' "Horton"
Jim Carrey did such a bang up job as the live-action "Grinch" that he's landed himself another Dr. Seuss gig. The "Horton Hears a Who" film will be animated... More...
September 13, 2006:
Funny Men Carrey, Carell Re-Team for "Who"
Jim Carrey is teaming up with Dr. Seuss once more, and this time, Steve Carell is tagging, The reason? Probably because they had so much fun in "Bruce Almighty."... More...
December 21, 2005:
Critical Consensus: "Dick & Jane" Not Much Fun; "Cheaper" Is Bankrupt
This week's wide releases include a remake ("Fun With Dick and Jane") and a sequel to a remake ("Cheaper By the Dozen 2"). Will critics be laughing at these... More...
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