The Grinch

Directed by Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney, The Grinch follows Benedict Cumberbatch’s title character as he plots to steal Christmas from cheery Whoville residents. It’s certainly familiar territory that is, for the most part, employed to entertaining and impressively memorable effect by Mosier and Cheney, as the filmmakers, working from Michael LeSieur and Tommy Swerdlow’s screenplay, deliver a briskly-paced and agreeably colorful endeavor that hits all the notes and beats one associates with Dr. Seuss’ iconic book – with the perpetually watchable atmosphere heightened by the superb voice performances and array of eye-popping visuals. (The latter is especially true of the vibrant and often breathtaking look of Whoville.) And while the picture’s refusal to trod any new ground paves the way for a narrative lacking in surprises, The Grinch, for the most part, comes off as a pleasant animated adaptation that remains remarkable engaging for the duration of its 86 minutes.

*** out of ****