The Grinch (DVD 2001)

Most of us have grown up watching the half-hour animated version of the "Grinch" every year at Christmas time. The makers of this feature-length live-action version of the story starring Jim Carrey as the tiny-hearted villain were hoping that Grinch fans everywhere would want to see how it played out on the big screen. The box office numbers suggest they got exactly what they were looking for.

If you're not familiar with the story, you may just be a Grinch yourself. Briefly, it's about the Christmas-crazed town of Whoville and the attempts of their chief outcast-the mean, green, smelly, furry, garbage-collecting Mr. Grinch-to foil their Christmas spirit once and for all. His plans are thwarted, in turn, by the efforts of the unbearably cute Cindy Lou Who to coax the Grinch out of his mountain hideout and include him in the town's Christmas celebrations. Yes, it's a kid's movie. But it's attracting a large teen audience, mostly because of its star.

Carrey, unrecognizable in his Grinch costume, has described in interviews the agony of wearing the outfit. To resemble the character from Dr. Seuss' book, Carrey was squeezed into a suit covered with green yak fur from head to toe. He spent hours every day getting green make-up applied to his face and huge yellow contacts inserted in his eyes. The result is an amazing transformation.

As always, Carrey's manic energy and wild improvisation fill the screen. His Grinch sounds like a cross between Sean Connery and Carrey's version of the Joker from the Batman movie. But he also succeeds in capturing the spirit of the cartoon Grinch we all know and loved to hate. He plays the Grinch all the way over the top and back again-exactly as he should.

The real stars of "The Grinch," though, are the sets and props and make-up artists. The whole movie is an optical spectacle. Every prop, every head of hair, every toy-even the mountains and clouds-curl into crazy, pointy shapes. The bright colors, holiday trappings, snow, and narrow streets of the set make Whoville look like a cross between a ski resort and a life-size Candy Land game.

All the adults in Whoville have strangely turned up and bulbous noses to accompany their wildly shaped hair. For special events, they dress up in dinnerware, including full cups and saucers. They drive little convertibles and compete to see who can add the most Christmas lights to their little houses. (Not to be missed-the machine-gun Christmas-light applicator.)

There's not a lot of plot or meaningful acting going on in "The Grinch." It's more like a big, splashy, colorful Broadway musical (and don't be surprised when it shows up on a stage near you). But it's good fun, with a few big laughs worth talking about afterward.

The message isn't bad, either. Cindy Lou finally helps everyone realize that Christmas isn't just about presents and food and decorations. It's about loving and accepting people. Of course, Christians know that it's also about celebrating the birth of our Savior. We tend to make a big deal out of that.

But "The Grinch" really isn't about the message as much as it's about the fun. And making millions selling Grinch dolls to wrap and put under Christmas trees so we can all remember to love and accept each other. I can feel my heart growing just thinking about it.

By this time next year, your little brothers and sisters will be begging mom and dad to let them watch the Grinch video just one more time. And, chances are,you will.

Im not sure myself about this film but i do know that my kids love it and have been asking for it for a long time ever since they saw it at their nanas last christmas. They will watch it over and over again so i would recommend it to other parents.

the funniest comedy.. children and adluts will love this. we all watch it over and over and never tire of the humour.

like it alot got it for my son its brill one for all the family just made sure to get it as it will be a classic in the near future as well as it should be with the other films like the cat in the hat must collect for your children as they will learn about fun and play also dr suess is great for all ages

my son loves all the dr seuss books and films and this is no exception.he loves jim carreys zany take on the grinch the funny looking people of whoville.recenetly watch on tv so we decided to buy it to watch whenever we want.fantastic family viewing.

Makes for good family viewing not only just at christmas, but all year round aswell! Another Jim Carey classic!!!!

A great film to watch for all the family. The bigger kids in your life will enjoy it just as much!!!!

For my daughters xmas she had it before and lost it....this seemed a bargain so I bought it.....she was absolutely thrilled to have a new copy and has watched it about 100 times......so it was def worth the money

Excellent condition, description spot on, was a gift for hubby and son as we have lost our copy. Over the moon. Sealed packaging Brand New.

I love watching the Grinch, in fact it's one of those dvds that have to be watched before Christmas, like Chevy Chase's Christmas vacation.
Jim Carey is brilliant and the way he moves and the faces he manages to pull in his make up is amazing. It's a lovely story of a little girl finally getting back the true meaning of Christmas and helping her friends and relations to see the good in simple things. The scenery is really good, total fantasy. Yes you watch it, yes you think it's silly, but enjoy it for that reason.

It's a great family film to watch together anytime and especially over the christmas period. I bought it for my 2 year old daughter as she loved watching so much.

a great movie with lots of laughter and brilliant action.
jim carry is a wonderful actor to make a laugh

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Jim Carey plays the part of the Grinch. A nice story to the whole thing with an underlying message I think that Xmas not just about gifts and how much you spend. Many laughs along the way as he gets into the role and some interesting costumes to see as the film goes on and the Whovilles get ready to celebrate Xmas. A lovely film to watch by all and nice to watch on the build up to Xmas and to get in the spirit of things whilst relaxing indoors with the family.

WE GOT THE GRINCH WHICH I MUCH PREFERED BUT GET THIS............THE KIDS LOVED IT WHICH IS WHAT MATTERS. THEY ALL SAT THERE QUIET FOR THE WHOLE OF THE FILM AND THEN WATCHED IT AGAIN..SO IF YOU WANT A QUIET LIFE GET THIS FOR THE KIDS.....A DEFINATE A+....great for adults as well.i thought this was a great item at a great price. these sort of dvds are not available in the local shops so if there is something i want i search ebay for dvds cos of the titles and cheap prices.

This film delivers laughs in typical Jim Carrey style. It's a nice christmas story, quite refreshing from Scrooge although still about a grumpy character disliking christmas! Worth watching though. Bought to replace vhs.

excellent value and postage was very fast. well worth replacing all my videos with dvds when you can get all the titles i want for not very much

it sends home a good message about what Christmas is truly about....not just presents and fun....can be a little scary in places for young children ,butin whole a good film

I bought this DVD because I used to have it on video but as technology has moved on my video is a little worn out and the copy has been ruined by the children!
My son and niece love the film and with it being a Christmas tale I thought I would get a better version so that we could watch it on dvd this year.
I love it because it keeps the kids amused for a good hour or so and its a great film, very entertaining with the underlying Christmas theme.

Supver children's/(adults too) film. Bought to replace the one which my grandchildren aged 4 and 2 had put into the video recorder instead of the dvd player! Now delighted that they've a copy which works - helpful little dears weren't they!

this is an ace film and that is exactly why i bought it! Jim Carey is the only person who could have played the part of the Grinch and played it amazingly. it really just a feel good christmas film which is great

again bought to post to sudan for neices and they likrd it very much , they asked me to get it via e mail