Though there are many ways we can find ourselves in the jolly spirit of Christmas, decorating our homes and work spaces, drinking all of the holiday drinks (Toasted White Mocha, anyone?), or cranking up the Michael Bublé and Glee Christmas albums on full blast, my favorite way to get into the holiday mood is to watch Christmas movies. Of course, the preferred method here is to cozy up with your Christmas lights, drinking your White Mocha and watching your favorite Christmas movie, but this year a new movie is out that will have you sneaking the Starbucks into the theater.
The adorable, green, and grumpy kleptomaniac we have all grown to love is back! The Grinch was released on November 9, 2018, and kick-started what will surely be a wonderful season for Christmas movies. It’s also the second film in Illumination’s recent remakes of Dr. Seuss classics, featuring stars such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones, Angela Lansbury, and Pharrell Williams as part of its star-studded cast. The soundtrack got a reboot too, with well known artists like Tyler the Creator, Pentatonix and RUN D.M.C.
Though it follows the traditional story of the Grinch, the movie is more focused on staying true to the source material of Dr. Seuss’s book than anything else, which would account for some of the discrepancies between the other two movies and this one. The animation is light and fun, offering a cutesy view of Whoville. A slew of new characters and background stories help add depth to The Grinch, too, with emphasis on Cindy Lou’s family and friends, as well as a deeper look into Christmas in Whoville. Meanwhile, the music adds a fun and modern twist to the traditional story, bringing it closer into our world. Pharrell William’s great narration seals the deal.
Overall, 2018’s The Grinch was a delight from start to end, for fans of the series as well as newcomers. Smuggle your favorite peppermint flavored snacks into the theater and get comfy, because this movie will put you in the perfect mood to begin celebrating Christmas.