Directed by Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier and released Nov. 9, The Grinch, tells the well-known Christmas story from Dr. Seuss. In the classic story, citizens of the small town of Whoville are obsessed with Christmas, except for the Grinch, a grumpy creature who hates Christmas and the Whos. The Grinch comes up with a plan to ruin the Whos Christmas. He later meets little Cindy Lou Who, who changes his personality. In the end, he comes to love Christmas and Whoville.

This movie is the third adaption of the 1957 children’s book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It is the second animated version, the third being a live-action film released in 2000. This time the animation is good, just like most animated films today. The Grinch is voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, and he did a good job but did not come close to Jim Carrey’s performance of the Grinch.

The writers added more storylines in the film to mix it up a little, but they were all forgettable. The Grinch was not that bad of “person.” His attitude is toned down for this film, giving his heartfelt change, in the end, less impact. The 2018 movie includes a scene with the Grinch shopping at a store, which feels weird and out of place. In the 2000 version, everyone knows and is scared of the Grinch, but in this version, he walks through the town unnoticed. The only one who recognizes him is one extra Christmas-crazed character.

This year’s Cindy Lou Who, voiced by Cameron Seely, is way different than she has been portrayed in the other versions. She and the Grinch did not spend that much time together to build up as much of a friendship as they had in previous versions.

All in all, there isn’t anything outstanding about this movie. It was clearly made for little children and was entertaining. The Grinch deserves a 6/10.