Monday, December 14, 2009

Christmas with Karloff
(and that theiving Grinch!)

With Christmas almost here, there is no better time than now for this review.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Based on a book by Dr. Seuss
Rating: Ten of Ten Stars

In "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", a darkhearted, creepy old coot who lives on a mountain high above the happy village of Whoville gets so annoyed with the cheerful Christmas preparations of the villagers that he sneaks into town disguised as Santa Claus and steals all the Christmas trees and presents. However, as the Whovians remain just as full of the Christmas spirit, even the Mean Mr. Grinch starts sucumbing to Christmas joy and fellowship.


"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is one of Dr. Suess' most famous children's books, and the "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is one of the very best Christmas cartoons ever made... perhaps THE very best. From creative (if somewhat minimalistic) animation and cute characters, to the fabulous narration by Boris Karloff, to the great songs (who reading these words has never caught themselves humming "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"?), to a well-delivered message about what should be the real source of the Christmas spirit, this half-hour cartoon is every bit the Ten I am rating it.

I think "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" should be viewed at least once a year by every family out there, ideally in the week before Christmas when the commercialism is at its worst and we can all do with a reminder about what Christmas SHOULD be about.

Merry Christmas!