New Christmas Cartoon Movie The Grinch (2018)

Movies have revealed the possibility of a change in the behaviour of terrible characters over time. However, this doesn’t seem to apply to real life scenarios. I just wish every human being could go through such a positive change! This world would have been a better place. It is difficult to imagine how the people of a community - Whoville - according to Dr Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (an adaptation of one of the classic holiday stories) could become paranoid and revel in such hate and retribution upon the discovery of the disappearance of their Christmas presents. I was left with a deep feeling of surprise, mixed with sympathy, that results from the pathetic story.

Just a few days to Christmas, the residents of Whoville, particularly Cindy Lou, happily look forward to Santa Claus’s arrival. However, the focus is placed on Cindy Lou, whose Christmas wish seems to be different from others’: her wish is that her harried single mother is happy and appreciated. Thus, she can’t help her patience to meet Santa Claus to make her request known to him. Her mother represents single working mothers in the society who make whole sacrifices for their kids, though expressed in a hollow and contrived manner.

Based on his premeditated plan to ruin the anticipated celebration, Grinch, a Christmas grouch, decides to steal their presents on Christmas Eve, while they sleep. He plans to achieve this by disguising as the man with the jolly beards. Grinch lives as a loner – though with Max, his pet dog – in a cave. The cave is located on the outskirts of the community. His body smells of “Mold Spice” deodorant.

The reason for Grinch’s hatred for Christmas is a result of the disappointment and bitterness he got in the past while eagerly awaiting presents, gift cards, and visitors. He’s an orphan who ended up being a loner in his early years. He is also a wounded soul. His sympathetic past is given to explain his present vindictiveness.  This is done in a bid to make the foul-tempered creature more humane. His past, thus, evokes a feeling of sympathy in the audience.

In an encounter between the endearing Cindy Lou Who and the Christmas grouch, Grinch (disguised as Santa Claus), she seeks to get something that acknowledges how hard her mother works from Santa Claus, who has been impersonated by Grinch. She initially plans to reveal this special request to St. Nick. Upon the discovery that a simple letter might not serve the intended purpose, she turns to Santa Claus as her last resource person. Ironically, the disguised Grinch suggests much more than a letter.

The play ends with the eventual embrace of Christmas. In essence, The Grinch seeks to epitomise the possibility of a wicked one correcting his ways upon the discovery of their errors. This parabolic story of Christmas, community, and compassion has been shared by families with their kids. This story is suitable for young viewers as many of its scenes are full of physical comedy and pratfalls. Also, its themes of kindness, generosity, love, and compassion perfectly depict what Christmas preaches.

This movie has left me with no better choice than to buy the Grinch costume and mask. The costume and mask will continue to resonate the deep feelings embedded in the movie.

The Grinch Costume (2018)