Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #738 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-11-29
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 129 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Under a thick carpet of green-dyed yak fur and wonderfully expressive Rick Baker makeup, Jim Carrey is up to all of his old tricks (and some nifty new ones) in this live-action movie of Dr. Seuss's holiday classic. He commands the title role with equal parts madness, mayhem, pathos, and improvisational genius, channeling Grinchness through his own screen persona so smoothly that fans of both Carrey and Dr. Seuss will be thoroughly satisfied. Adding to the fun is a perfectly pitched back-story sequence (accompanied by Anthony Hopkins's narration) that explains how the Grinch came to hate Christmas, with a heart "two sizes too small." Ron Howard proves a fine choice for the director's chair with a keen balance of comedy, sentiment, and light-hearted Seussian whimsy. Production designer Michael Corenblith gloriously realizes the wackiness of Whoville architecture, and his rendition of the Grinch's Mt. Crumpit lair is a marvel of cartoonish, subterranean grime. Then there's Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen), the thoughtful imp who rallies her village to recapture the pure spirit of Christmas and melts the gift-stealing Grinch's cold, cold heart. You've even got a dog (the Grinch's good-natured mongrel, Max) who's been perfectly cast, so what's not to like about this dazzling yuletide movie? The production gets a bit overwhelmed by its own ambition, and the citizens of Whoville (including Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon, and Bill Irwin) pale in comparison to Carrey's inspired lunacy, but who cares? If a movie can unleash Jim Carrey at his finest, revamp the Grinch story, and still pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Seuss, you can bet it qualifies as rousing entertainment. (Ages 5 and older.) --Jeff Shannon

Synopsis
The Grinch, a foul-tempered green and hairy creature, who lives on Mount Crumpit, hates Christmas almost as much as the residents of Whoville, the town at the bottom of his mountain. One night he decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos by taking all their decorations, presents and Christmassy things. Also features 'Step By Step, Inch By Inch, The Making Of The Grinch'.

Customer Reviews

Jim Carrey at his Over The Top best
This is one of those films that divides opinions. For some it's rubbish, for others it's a masterpiece. I veer towards the latter viewpoint - but with a few reservations.

First, this is a Ron Howard film and as such, has to be accepted as a film with a great sense of identity and even better storytelling. Jim Carrey was made for this part and his performance as the gruesome Grinch is extraordinary - full of caperings, facial contortions and madcap explosions of gutteral grunts and cackles. However - even he is very nearly acted off the screen by 'Max' his dog, played by 'Kelley' who quite rightly gets third billing when the credits roll.

The story is well known and I see no sense in providing yet another precis, save to say that the only really gross part is when the Whos of Whoville virtually force-feed the Grinch with food during part of their celebration. This is just a bit too much and is way more repulsive than the pile of garbage that makes up most of the Grinch's lair. This particular scene may just make the film a bit unacceptable for very young children.

A lot of praise also has to go to Anthony Hopkins who's interspersed readings of Dr Seuss's text is so well done and so central to the storytelling.

And when it comes to defining 'cuteness', Taylor Momsett as 'Cindy Lou Who' is absolutely perfect. She not only looks the part but is also one heck of a good actress. She plays the central character of the little girl who wants to trust the Grinch with absolute conviction - and without all the overblown sweetness that so often characterises childrens' parts in so many American films. Her song is perhaps the film's one lapse into maukishness, but this can be forgiven.

Accept this film as a fairytale fantasy which tells a story that is really a fantastical re-interpretation of Dickens' 'Christmas Carol' --- not in terms of ghosts, but in terms of a character who hates himself and Christmas and then learns not only what Christmas really should mean, but that he has both a heart and the ability to love others.

Oh - and be sure to watch the extra features which explain how the make-up was achieved.

surprisingly Amazing
My mum bought this for my 3 year old sister for christmas and as a result I was forced to watch this with the family. It had little appeal to me and even as a Jim Carrey fan I was not looking forward to it. But wow was I wrong.

Never judge a book (or dvd) by it's cover. The storyline was solid and will leave a smile on your face and as for the script and the acting of Jim Carrey, both are first class. I was literally in pain from laughing so much and was surprised how witty the jokes were for a children's film. I recommend this to parents as a gift for there children of all ages and anyone who is a fan of comedy. This is my first and probably last review but I felt I just had to tell people to give this a chance and they will be surprisingly amazed at how much they enjoy this film.

Jim Carrey in his element a must buy!

Jim Carrey at his best. Excellent Xmas Film
This film is hillarious.
The Grinch is a green hairy fella who lives with his dog. He hates Christmas and all things nice.
I have watched this film so many times, and i still laugh out loud every time.
I highly recommend this film to anyone who wants a funny, feel good Christmas movie, to watch with all the family.