Jen Meinhardt, Staff Writer

“The Grinch” was released this November nationwide as the third movie remake of the timeless Christmas classic “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.” Illumination Entertainment’s delightful reimaging of the Grinch (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) brings the classic tale into a more relatable perspective for the modern viewer.

The Grinch, disgusted by his neighbors in Whoville’s show of consumerism and greed throughout the Christmas season, decides that it’s high time to show them a lesson about their capitalistic leanings. The plot is a familiar formula to those acquainted with the tale, and Illumination (creators of other animated children’s movies such as “Sing,” “Despicable Me,” “Minions” and “The Lorax”) manages to stick to the story without much of their usual departure into minor singing side characters in an attempt to keep the viewer’s entertained. The film does have humorous side quests and physical gags which are used mostly to lengthen the overall run time.

Despite this, the grumpy antics of the Grinch and his wholehearted hatred of the Whos still manages to entertain both young and old alike as an asshole that genuinely loves his dog and has a penchant for the dramatics. His motivation stems from a more believable resentment then the year-2000 version. This Grinch really just wants to be left alone by Whoville. Cumberbatch’s foray into voice acting is successful throughout, and his almost deadpan sarcasm and witticisms bring the Grinch into a scathing relatability that will remind the older viewer of every bad day they’ve ever had.

The sequence involving the sacking of Whoville is the most delightful series of thefts in children’s entertainment anywhere. The animation is bright and cheerful, and though the story delivers a bland, Hallmark-like, feel-good message about selflessness during the Christmas season, “The Grinch” is a fun watch throughout and deserves a solid 3.5 Christmas tree rating.

This article was originally published in the Dec. 14, 2018 issue.