Inside a snowflake exists the magical land of Whoville. In Whoville, live the Whos, an almost mutated sort of Munchkin-like people. All the Whos love Christmas, yet just outside of their beloved Whoville lives the Grinch. The Grinch is a nasty creature that hates Christmas, and plots to steal it away from the Whos, whom he equally abhors. Yet a small child, Cindy Lou Who, decides to try befriending the Grinch.
Perhaps 20 minutes too long and subject to torpor.
– J. Hoberman,
Village Voice,
17 Aug 2001
fresh:
How the Grinch stole Christmas is one kind of larceny. How Jim Carrey steals the picture is another matter entirely.
– Rick Groen,
Globe and Mail,
19 Mar 2002
rotten:
Shrill, strenuous and entirely without charm.
– Todd McCarthy,
Variety,
5 Feb 2008
rotten:
Cloying fancy gives way to gross-out comedy, twisted social commentary, affecting pathos, and weirdly sexualized romance in this lurid live-action version of the classic children's book.
– Lisa Alspector,
Chicago Reader,
5 Feb 2008
rotten:
Five-year-olds might go for it, but people who grew up with Jones' version will be looking at their watches and grinding their teeth.