The Grinch [DVD]

First, this is a Ron Howard film and as such, has to be accepted as a film with a great sense of identity and even better storytelling. Jim Carrey was made for this part and his performance as the gruesome Grinch is extraordinary - full of caperings, facial contortions and madcap explosions of gutteral grunts and cackles. However - even he is very nearly acted off the screen by 'Max' his dog, played by 'Kelley' who quite rightly gets third billing when the credits roll.

The story is well known and I see no sense in providing yet another precis, save to say that the only really gross part is when the Whos of Whoville virtually force-feed the Grinch with food during part of their celebration. This is just a bit too much and is way more repulsive than the pile of garbage that makes up most of the Grinch's lair. This particular scene may just make the film a bit unacceptable for very young children.

A lot of praise also has to go to Anthony Hopkins who's interspersed readings of Dr Seuss's text is so well done and so central to the storytelling.

And when it comes to defining 'cuteness', Taylor Momsett as 'Cindy Lou Who' is absolutely perfect. She not only looks the part but is also one heck of a good actress. She plays the central character of the little girl who wants to trust the Grinch with absolute conviction - and without all the overblown sweetness that so often characterises childrens' parts in so many American films. Her song is perhaps the film's one lapse into maukishness, but this can be forgiven.

Accept this film as a fairytale fantasy which tells a story that is really a fantastical re-interpretation of Dickens' 'Christmas Carol' --- not in terms of ghosts, but in terms of a character who hates himself and Christmas and then learns not only what Christmas really should mean, but that he has both a heart and the ability to love others.

Oh - and be sure to watch the extra features which explain how the make-up was achieved.