Based on the famous Dr. Seuss story, this film is a live-action version of the tale where an outcast creature of a small town called Whoville (home of the Who's) tries to steal away the holiday which keeps the town alive-- Christmas. Belittled and rejected since childhood, the Grinch had learned to hate Christmas through the joy the Who's expressed through the season while simultaneously rejecting him. It becomes the personal goal of Cindy Lou Who to try to show the Grinch what Christmas is all about and change his heart around for the good.

This is a tough movie to review. Jim Carrey is probably my favorite actor and the Grinch story has been a classic since before my birth. To have the two together for a feature-length movie was incredible and intriguing to see. But it begs the question: did Carrey do the part justice? Or should I ask if director Ron Howard did? How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a live action interpretation of the famous Dr. Seuss Christmas tale... but does it work?

Howard and Carrey take the classic green "Scrooge" and transform the cartoon character into a walking, talking, living creation. Carrey dons the green, furry costume and assumes the role. Honestly, he's spectacular in the part -- I cannot picture anyone else in the role to accomplish its physicality. The only problem I found was Jim Carrey was too... Jim Carrey in the Grinch role. Someone may think that's all he can do anyhow, but he proved the skeptics wrong with 1998's more dramatic The Truman Show. As Truman Burbank, he proved he could do serious roles and truly act. Although I didn't see it (due to its rating), I heard last year's Man on the Moon solidified the versatility of his acting abilities as well.

Some viewers and Grinch fans will easily see Carrey's Grinch as too animated, too goofy, and too "Jim Carrey." Others will see him as perfect for the part and find the new twist delightful. I, however, am still undecided. Carrey helped make the Grinch lovable and hateable at the same time. My main complaint with the way the story is presented here is odd stuff like, during a Who celebration that the Grinch attends. It's tough to swallow the Grinch doing a Conga line, shaving someone's head in a overly Carrey-like manner, and running away from an exploding toy car in slow motion as if in an action film (that is completely out of place). On the other hand, the highlights in the film include the Grinch roaming his private lair, interacting with Cindy Lou, and the entire - entirely familiar - finale. The Whoville sets are amazing (all made by scratch), the supporting acting is sufficient, and Cindy Lou is just plain adorable!

Ron Howard's How The Grinch Stole Christmas is relatively clean, with the occasional oddness (the Grinch sticking his dog's butt in the mayor's face while sleeping -- who puckers up for a kiss, thinking it was someone else, with the Grinch wanting to spite him). Language was rather clean -- save for Grinch saying the "powder" is "b*tchin'" while sliding down a snowy slope -- and sexual material was kept to merely a sexy outfit on the "prettiest" Who in Whoville. The overall film, however, isn't totally suitable for everyone... The sheer appearance of the Grinch and some of his mannerisms may appear too scary for the younger ones. There's also an overall dark tone to the movie that may surprise some.

In summary, I thought the movie was a lot of fun. Despite my indecision, I still really enjoyed it this new holiday effort.

It's amazing, to me, to think it's been 25 years since the release of Ron Howard's live action Grinch story, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. It has since wiggled its way into our holiday pop culture a little, but not nearly as much as I'm sure the creators had hoped. When you see Grinch decorations, it's always still the 1966 animated version -- which still remains the best version to date. Since this film, we've gotten the 2018 Illumination computer animated film - which is definitely better than Howard's live action version - but it still can't top the original. Part of the problem seems to be the struggle to make the story work as a feature, but it hasn't stopped filmmakers from trying.

So, How The Grinch Stole Christmas in 4K - how does it hold up? Honestly? Not well. I recently saw the 40th anniversary release of Back to the Future on IMAX, and they had a trailer for a new IMAX release of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and I was shocked at how terrible the picture looked in the ad. It was dark, fuzzy, and grainy -- not a pretty sight. I can't imagine sitting through the whole movie blown up for IMAX looking like that. Sadly, the 4K transfer isn't much better. It's super, duper dark. The colors are murky and muddy, and it just isn't much clearer than HD, for that matter. I was surprised at just how out of focus or fuzzy shots looked. Some of the close-ups on Grinch and Cindy did look clear - and the 4K transfer really shows itself on the Christmas lights and sparkly items - but you'd think a movie set in Whoville would be bursting with color (like the 2018 animated movie). This one just doesn't.

I will say - the darkness might partially be a Ron Howard thing. He directed the 2018 Solo: A Star Wars Story, and that movie is exceptionally dark in presentation. Scenes are just so dim. Even its 4K disc - while clear and crisp - is just so dang dark. I couldn't help but think about that while watching this 4K of Grinch.

I hate to say it, folks, but the 4K release of 2000's How The Grinch Stole Christmas is one of the worst I've seen. Aside from the contrast when Christmas lights and such are visible, you'd never guess this was a 4K movie. The movie itself, sadly, has not aged well either. It's become one I'd revisit for the holidays on occasion over the years - hoping it might land better with the latest watch, but I'd end up just feeling frustrated nearly the entire time. Sure, the Whoville sets are impressive, and Carrey's Grinch is entertaining, but the performance of the Who's is somewhere between too goofy and too creepy, and the humor is more awkward and weird than actually funny. This is a movie I want to like - if not just because Jim Carrey is playing such an iconic holiday character as The Grinch - but it's just plain not a good movie.