The Grinch 2018 review

The Grinch (2018)

Based on the book by Dr. Seuss. A misanthropic being, living to the north of a town called Whoville, despises Christmas. No matter how the townsfolk try to bring him on their side, it just increases his dislike. His dog Max. He is on his side, no matter how the Grinch schemes. Yet there is another in Whoville, also scheming. Cindy-Lou Who, a six year old Who who's Mom is single and she needs help. That is what Cindy-Lou Who is after from St. Nicholas in her Christmas scheming.

These two plots intertwine in a way that brings excitement to what otherwise would have been a simple tale. But that is not all, revelations are told, how the Grinch is the way he is, as he tries to avoid the Christmas sales. That the Grinch is smart, there is no doubt. He can plan, and devise gizmo’s to nick from the Whos their Christmas stuff. However, Cindy-Lou is also smart, but doubts, after meeting the Grinch, about St. Nick. And thus this plotline is set up in a way that reaches a satisfying climax.

The scene with the huge Christmas tree in the Whoville town square, leading to a revelation of the Grinch's past in the Whoville orphanage, is quite impacting. It makes an interesting addition to the Grinch's character, and makes his change of heart (where it grows three sizes) more impactful to the viewer. Cindy-Lou's quest to find help for her mum also links in with the change in the Grinch in a very well written way. It could have been a made a lot worse, say. It could have been better, more could have been made of it.

But it was done well as it was. Cindy-Lou's house coincidently being the last on the route may have been contrived, but it added to the tension related to the Grinch's spree in an effective way. (As did the scene with the sleepwalking Who.) Overall, a film worth seeing. 9/10.