And I quote: "Stink. Stank. Stunk."
Yes, I go to a beloved Christmas special, which for the record, isn't near the above statement.
"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" brings the classic story to life in vibrant colors as a merry cartoon. Everyone in Whoville knows the story: The Grinch lives near Whoville and is not a Christmas person. In order to get some peace, quiet and no holiday cheer, he disguises himself as Santa Claus and removes every physical reminder of the holiday from Whoville. But as he learns that these things don't make Christmas, well, Christmas, will he realize what does?
Boris Karloff, a master of the horror genre, adds a credible level to the Grinch as a mean-spirited, almost menacing, character. And who doesn't love the adorable Max, dragged along as an unwilling participant in his master's plans? The scene as the Grinch recalls what will happen on Christmas morning mirrors what happens in houses across the world as children rush to the tree. And who hasn't looked at a young child with a noisy toy and briefly understood the Grinch's grief: "Oh the noise! Noise! Noise!"
And no matter how many viewings of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," one always has a feeling that maybe, just maybe, the Grinch won't save the sleigh in time. But the smile on your face is always worth it when he does.
Something for the trivia buffs: Watch the Grinch's eyes as he ponders why Christmas still came. They go from red to blue at the line "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." They return to red but remain blue till the end of the special.
And so, maybe in a spirit of nostalgia and in honor of a true masterpiece, I award "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" five candy canes! Okay, everyone, all together now: "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch..."
No comments:
Post a Comment