Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas Information

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (promoted theatrically as The Grinch) is a 2000 American Holiday fantasy-comedy film from Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment, based on the 1957 book of the same name by Dr. Seuss. It was the first Dr. Seuss book to be adapted into a full-length feature film. Because the film is based on a children's picture book, many additions had to be made to the storyline to bring it up to feature-length, including some information about the backstory of the titular character. Most of the rhymes used in the book were used in the film, though some were slightly changed, and new rhymes were put in as well.

The film was directed by Ron Howard, produced by Howard and Brian Grazer, and starring Jim Carrey. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but spent four weeks as the number-one film in the United States. The Grinch is the second highest-grossing holiday film of all time with $345,141,403 worldwide, only behind Home Alone.

Plot

In the microscopic city of Whoville, everyone celebrates Christmas with much happiness and joy, with the exception of the cynical and misanthropic Grinch (Jim Carrey), who despises Christmas and the Whos with great wrath and occasionally pulls dangerous and harmful practical jokes on them. As a result, no one likes or cares for him.

Cindy Lou, an 8-year-old girl, believes everyone is missing the point about Christmas. After becoming aware of the Grinch's existence, she starts to create interest in the Grinch and his history, asking everyone what they know about him, and soon discovers that he has a tragic past.

He actually comes from a mistake by a wrong wind when he was a baby, and is adopted by two elderly sisters. Although he shows some sadistic tendencies as a child, he was not the cruel and selfish person who he became; he was ridiculed by classmates (mostly by Augustus May Who because of his appearance - with the exception of Martha May Whovier. Before he shaves his chin after remembering what all the kids said, he made a gift for Martha. When everyone sees The Grinch's face covered with shaving tape the next morning, he becomes an outcast. He loses his temper and runs away to live on Mt. Crumpit.

Cindy, touched by this story, decides to make the Grinch the main participant of the Whobilation, to the great displeasure of Augustus, who reluctantly agrees. But when she offers an invitation to the Grinch, he turns down her offer. He gradually changes his mind, however, and arrives late to the proceedings. But just as the Grinch is enjoying himself, Augustus not only proposes to Martha in marriage, but also gives the Grinch an electric shaver as a bad joke, causing him to ruin the party and upset Cindy Lou.

The Grinch is pleased with his rampage, but much to his dismay, he soon realizes that his attack does not remove the spirit of Christmas from them, and that they will celebrate the commemoration of the Christmas tomorrow. Angry with the idea of spending another Christmas alone in his cave, the Grinch deduces that the Whos only celebrate Christmas because of their extravagant gifts, and he decides to steal all their belongings while they sleep. Creating a Santa suit and sleigh, the Grinch's burglary is successful, but he forces Max to pull all the things stolen when his flying sleigh runs out of fuel. The next day, the Whos discover the Grinch's scheme, and Augustus takes the opportunity to denounce Cindy Lou as the root of the whole catastrophe. However, her father, Lou Lou Who, reminds everyone that they still have the Christmas Spirit - the one thing that does not come from a store - and that the principal meaning of Christmas is to spend it with family and friends, and not about giving or receiving gifts and putting up decorations. The people accept his speech, and begin to sing.

The Grinch plots to destroy all the stolen gifts after he hears the Whos crying. However, he hears the joyful singing of the Whos. Frustrated at the failure of his plan, the Grinch realizes that Christmas means much more than mere material gifts, an insight that profoundly touches him and makes his heart grow three times its original size. However, the stolen gifts nearly fall off the cliff, and the Grinch desperately tries to save them. They prove too much for him, but when he realises Cindy Lou has come to wish him a Merry Christmas, this provides the Grinch with enough strength to lift the gifts to safety and right over his head. After a long descent, the Grinch appears along with Cindy and the gifts, explains what has transpired and apologizes for his practical jokes. The Whos forgive the Grinch, while Martha turns down Augustus's proposal and decides to stay with the Grinch instead. The redeemed Grinch starts a new life with the Whos, and commemorates the Christmas feast with them in his cave.

Cast

• Jim Carrey as the Grinch, a grouchy, mean, selfish, cynical, disgusting, terrifying green creature who always hated Christmas since he was an 8-year-old child. It was revealed in his origin that he started to hate Christmas after his school classmates laughed at him when he tried to shave his chin.
• Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who, a young Who who thinks the Christmas spirit in Whoville is lost. (In this version, she is eight years old, whereas in the book and TV special she was "no more than two").
• Kelley as Max the Dog and Frank Welker as his voice, who is the Grinch's pet dog and only companion on Mt. Crumpit. It is unknown how or when The Grinch got him.
• Christine Baranski as Martha May Whovier, the Grinch's lifelong crush and the romantic interest of Augustus. She ultimately begins dating the Grinch.
• Bill Irwin as Lou Lou Who, Cindy Lou's father and the postman of Whoville.
• Molly Shannon as Betty Lou Who, Cindy Lou's mother and a rival to Martha May in a house-lighting contest.
• Jeffrey Tambor as Mayor Augustus May Who, Whoville's mayor. He is revealed to be the school bully who picked on the young Grinch over his shaved chin, which motivated the Grinch to hate Christmas in the first place. He also denounces the Grinch every chance he gets and wants to have a Grinch-less Christmas.
• Clint Howard as Whobris, the mayor's aide.
• Mindy Sterling as Clarnella Rue Who, the teacher.
• Jeremy Howard and T. J. Thyne as Drew Lou and Stu Lou Who, sons of Lou and Betty, and brothers to Cindy Lou.
• Jim Meskimen as Officer Wholihan, the chief of police.
• Josh Ryan Evans as an 8-year-old Grinch; his humiliation at school by Augustus is what drives him into a hatred of Christmas.
• Anthony Hopkins as the Narrator.
• Bryce Dallas Howard as a surprised Who.
• Ben Bookbinder as an 8-year-old Augustus May Who; he judged the young Grinch, which then motivated the Grinch to hate Christmas.
• Landry Allbright as an 8-year-old Martha May Whovier. She shows compassion towards the young Grinch.
• Reid Kirchenbauer as an 8-year-old Whobris.

Soundtrack

1. "Kids Today" " Jim Carrey and Taylor Momsen *
2. "Grinch 2000" " Busta Rhymes and Jim Carrey
3. "Green Christmas" " Barenaked Ladies
4. "Christmas of Love" " Little Isidore and the Inquisitors
5. "Lonely Christmas Eve" " Ben Folds
6. "Grinch Schedule" " Jim Carrey *
7. "Better Do It Right" " Smash Mouth
8. "Whoville Medley" (Perfect Christmas Night/Grinch) " Trans-Siberian Orchestra
9. "Reindeer" " Jim Carrey *
10. "Christmas Is Going to the Dogs" " The Eels
11. "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" " Jim Carrey *
12. "Christmas Means More" " Anthony Hopkins and Jim Carrey
13. "You Don't Have to Be Alone" " "?NSYNC
14. "Where Are You, Christmas?" " Faith Hill
15. "The Shape of Things to Come" " James Horner
16. "Memories of a Green Childhood" " James Horner +
17. "Christmas, Why Can't I Find You?" " James Horner and Taylor Momsen
18. "Stealing Christmas" " Anthony Hopkins, James Horner, Jim Carrey, and Taylor Momsen ~
19. "The Big Heist" " James Horner +
20. "Does Cindy Lou Really Ruin Christmas?" " James Horner +
21. "A Change of Heart" " James Horner +
22. "The Sleigh of Presents" " James Horner +
23. "He Carves the Roast Beast" " James Horner ^

Legend:
*Dialogue
+ Instrumental
~ Includes Narration and Dialogue
^ Includes "Welcome Christmas"

Reception

Box office

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas was a financial success at the box office, opening at number-one with a weekend gross of $55,082,230, for an average of $17,615 from 3,127 theaters and staying at #1 for a total of 4 weeks. It closed on April 30, 2001, after five months, with a final gross of $260,044,825 in the United States and Canada and an additional gross of $85,096,578 in other territories, for a total worldwide gross of $345,141,403.

Critical reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes lists the film with a 53% rating, classifying it as "Rotten," while Metacritic lists the film with a 46/100 rating, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Awards

The film garnered three Academy Award nominations, including Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction, and won the Academy Award for Best Makeup. At the Golden Globes, Carrey was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor " Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, losing the award to George Clooney for O Brother, Where Art Thou?. The film won a Saturn Award for Best Music. However, it was also nominated for two 2000 Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Remake or Sequel and Worst Screenplay, but lost to Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 and Battlefield Earth respectively.

Home media

The film was released on VHS and DVD on November 20, 2001. A Blu-ray/DVD combo pack was released on October 13, 2009.

Remake

Universal Pictures and Illumination Pictures announced that they're working on a 3D animated film of The Grinch with Peter Candeland is set to direct, following the remake to the The Cat in the Hat, with Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri producing and Audrey Geisel, widow of Dr. Seuss author Theodor Geisel, will executive produce.

See also

• The Grinch
• The Grinch Video Game
• List of films based on Dr. Seuss books