This week’s (Dec 20-26/13) “movie” of the week is… How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

This race was neck and neck between this and A Charlie Brown Christmas. Both are by far the most treasured animated Christmas specials. It may not be yours, but the vast majority of people I spoke to and/or heard from on Facebook chose one of these two. Funny thing they were both produced in the same time period, only one year is between them.

Most of us would say that we love this Christmas special so much more than the Jim Carrey version. I would agree. However, I must give Ron Howard’s a bit of a defense. I actually love the movie, though it’s really for just one reason, and that’s Jim Carrey. His humour comes through in the movie, which ultimately saves it. His depiction of the Grinch does seem to be faithful to the original cartoon character, though Carrey brings a modern touch and accents it with excellent physical acting hilarious caricature moments. And really, this is what this cartoon did for the book.

Having said that, aside from Jim Carrey the movie itself uses far too much filler to do the original cartoon any justice. For starters, we find that the Whos aren’t really a wholesome, meek, grateful and peace-loving group like we thought they were. They are spoiled brats who just happen to learn a lesson in the end, just in time. It also tries to feed you a “true meaning of Christmas,” instead of letting you make the decision for yourself.

Which brings us to the beauty of the 1966 cartoon. Just like Suess does in his book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas doesn’t spell anything out concerning what the Grinch was thinking or feeling, nor what you might be thinking or feeling. “Maybe Christmas, perhaps… means a little bit more.” And we’re not told why the Whos were unphased by the grinchy robbery. They just didn’t let the tragedy ruin anything about Christmas. I remember as a child being moved by that final scene. Not so much with the real action movie years later.

Congratulations GRINCH, this is your week.

And the Oscar goes to…Best actress: Cindy Lou Who! Best actor: Linus. His speech under the spotlight (I wonder who was running that thing…) is awesome. Best quote: “How could it be so? It came without ribbons!… it came without tags!…it came without packages, boxes or bags!”

Mickey, Frosty and Rudolph, keep your heads up. There is always next year.