'The Grinch' Is A Delightful Holiday Tale

*** This review of 'The Grinch' is something that I put together for the Examiner a few years ago!***

Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is one of the author's most beloved stories he has ever written. The popular tale has been told on the screen twice - as a 1966 TV special and the live-action 2000 feature starring Jim Carrey. Now, children and their families can enjoy a new take of the beloved story on the big screen. And, children will definitely leave the theater with a smile on their face.

In the Universal Pictures/Illumination Entertainment presentation of "The Grinch," The Grinch and his loyal dog, Max, live a solitary existence inside a cave on Mount Crumpet. His main source of aggravation comes during Christmas time when his neighbors in Whoville celebrate the holidays with a bang. When the Who's decide to make Christmas bigger and brighter, the disgruntled Grinch realizes there is one way to gain peace and quiet.

With the help from Max, the green grump hatches a scheme to pose as Santa Claus, steal Christmas and silence the Who's holiday cheer once and for all.

"The Grinch" is an enjoyable and fun re-telling of the Dr. Seuss holiday classic. The animated film delivers really good humor and a few heart-felt moments. There are plenty of moments that will really make the kids smile and laugh - especially when the Grinch's Christmas caper gets underway. The beautifully animated "Grinch" is almost as delightful as the original 1967 version. So, take the kids down to the Dietrich and have a good time seeing this updated version of "The Grinch."

The cast: Benedict Cumberbatch (Avengers: Infinity War) as The Grinch, Cameron Seely (The Greatest Showman) as Cindy-Lou Who, Rashida Jones (Tag) as Donna Who, Kenan Thompson (SNL; Going in Style) as Mr. Bricklebaum, Angela Landsbury (Mr. Popper's Penguins) as Mayor McGerkle, Tristen O'Hare as Groopert, Ramone Hamilton as Axl, Sam Lavagino as Ozzy, Scarlett Estevez (Daddy's Home 2) as Izzy and Pharrell Williams as the Narrator. "The Grinch" is directed by Yarrow Cheney (the co-director of "The Secret Life of Pets") and Scott Mosier.

In February 2013, it was announced that Illumination Entertainment was developing an animated feature film based on the very popular Dr, Seuss holiday story. "The Grinch" was originally scheduled for a November 2017 release. But, the studio moved the release back a year to avoid competition with another holiday-themed film, Sony Animation's "The Star." "The Grinch" is also Illumination Entertainment's second Dr. Seuss film adaptation - the first being 2012s "The Lorax."

"The Grinch" is rated PG for brief rude humor and has a running time of 90 minutes.

https://youtu.be/_UOh0UX3alI