By EWAN McDONALD
(Herald rating: * * )
Jim Carrey's take on Dr Seuss' Christmas anti-fairytale isn't nearly so successful as the other big-beasty animation movie that's around at the moment, Shrek. The makeup is astounding, Carrey does his grimacing best inside it, but the story is not so attractive.
The Whos live
happily in Whoville, inside a snowflake, preparing for Christmas. The Grinch has grown up bitter because, as a kid, he was picked on for being green and hairy. Now he's an old grump who lives on top of a mountain of garbage that towers over the town, scares the children, is mean to his dog, and steals everyone's Christmas presents.
There is a happy ending, thanks to little Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen), who saves the big day, but the colourful and charming world of Dr Seuss has been rendered grotesque and menacing. It's not the way I remember him and I'm pretty sure it's not the way most kids will want to.
Running time: 102 mins
Rental: Today
