《绿毛怪格林奇》

Everyone remembers their own Grinch. Whether the snowy spectacle of Whoville and the mean, green one’s Christmas Eve heist* came to us through the page, the radio, the TV or even Jim Carrey’s shouting rendition, his tale — of spirit lost and found  — belongs to us all.

We encounter the Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch) hiding away from the festivities in his distant Mount Crumpet lair*, grumbling away at the Who’s for the way they so enjoy the holiday he so hates.

This time around the Grinch appears to need an extra incentive* to steal Christmas. It’s only when he gets wind of* Whoville’s plan to make the holiday no less than three times bigger, tower block-sized tree included, that he sets out to destroy their fun once and for all.

Most of the modernizations and twists are quite lovely. The Grinch’s radio alarm blaring hits like “Here Comes Santa Claus” to torture him, Kenan Thompson’s scene stealing Grinch fanboy “Bricklebaum-Who,” and Max the dog’s rivalry with another furry friend are all great.

Cindy Lou Who is also a stronger character than ever here, raised this time by a single Who-mum (Rashida Jones) in a sweet extension of what a “family holiday” means. Voiced charmingly by Cameron Seely, Cindy’s plan to catch Santa Claus to ask him to better her struggling, working mother’s life with an endearing crew of friends is a well-done and complimentary parallel to the Grinch’s evil scheme*. The two stories collide to make the heart of the film, as Cindy’s immaterial wish unlocks the Grinch’s empathy*.

But of course, we already know what the best parts of the story will be, as they always have been.

Narrator Pharrell Williams is the calm in the storm of slapstick and added plot points.

As the Who’s sing around the emptied town, Cumberbatch’s voice fades to a murmur, William’s lilt summons old-fashioned Seuss, and Danny Elfman’s haunting original score chimes in.

For seasonal entertainment that will delight the kids, and remind us why we love the ultimate holiday fairytale, this film is a fine gift.(SD-Agencies)