THE GRINCH

Voices of:  Benedict Cumberbatch     Cameron Seely     Rashida Jones     Tristan O’Hare

Angela Lansbury     Kenan Thompson     Pharrell Williams

     This production of the well-known story pleased the audience I was with, and there were lots of audible reactions from the kids, with applause at the end.  I think it might be a hit at Christmas-time.  The colorful animations, sets, and CGI effects; the Christmas messages that put presents and material things into perspective; and liberal doses of humor and good cheer make it the kind of film that appeals to children and their parents. Noteworthy for our times is its message about forgiveness of those who do wrong.  Although I never saw it, there was a 1967 version of the story (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) that was a huge success, which makes me question once again why remakes are made of already successful movies.   Has the technology progressed so much since 1967 that a new version is called for?

     At any rate, the expressive voices of the actors contribute to the overall quality of this version of The Grinch.  Although I had difficulty “placing” Cumberbatch’s Grinch, he did very well as usual, covering a range of emotions from a grouchy “Bah, Humbug!” to the lost, lonely boy of young Grinch, to his grudgingly being brought to heel about the whole Christmas thing.  This version of The Grinch accounts for his attitude based on his history.  Cameron Seely’s Cindy Lou Who is a stand out performance that makes us love and appreciate her spunkiness, caring, and leadership.  Bringing his comedic talent to bear, Kenan Thompson perfectly captures Bricklebaum, who sees/hears/speaks no evil, always putting a positive spin even on Grinch at his worst.  Finally, Pharrel Williams’ narration comes in at just the right times, with a clear voice to move the story along.

     Congratulations to screenwriters Michael LeSieur and Tommy Swerdlow for preserving the wholesome messages of the Seuss book, and my own special appreciation for their refraining from the usually obligatory fart and poop jokes in most movies for children.  It could be I missed something, but I think they avoided references to such things completely.  The music of Danny Elfman and the art direction of Colin Stimson further embellish the qualities above.  Directors Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier can be proud of the team they assembled and their leadership in making the movie sing (actually and metaphorically).  

     I don’t know whether kids will pick up on this or not, but it seems like they might ask where the real Santa was all this time. The Whos wake up on Christmas morning to find their holiday decorations trashed and their gifts missing. Where was the real Santa? Of course, the film is for those old enough to know that it’s the parents who bring the gifts to the house. Maybe small children who still believe in Santa shouldn’t see the film.  Parents, be warned.

Can the Grinch steal Christmas from Whoville?

Grade:  B                                    By Donna R. Copeland

DESPICABLE ME 3

Voices of:  Steve Carell   Kristen Wiig   Trey Parker  

Miranda Cosgrove   Dana Gaier   Nev Scharrel   Russell Brand   Steve Coogan   Julie Andrews

     The special effects, humor, and sheer imagination of the Despicable Me series continue to be refreshing and delightful for children.  There were many chuckles from children (and adults, by the way) in the screening I attended, as well as sighs during the tender moments.  Like its predecessors, 3 is mostly entertaining (as it’s meant to be) with colorful animation and special effects, some adventure, and fanciful transports (e.g., a golden car/boat/plane, and a Minion-devised airbus outfitted mostly with bathroom fixtures). 

     This rendition follows Gru (Carell), his wife Lucy (Wiig), and their three daughters, Margo (Cosgrove), Edith (Gaier), and Agnes (Sharrel), as they go to visit the heretofore unknown twin of Gru, Dru (Carell).  It turns out that the twins’ parents got a divorce when they were just babes, with the mother (Andrews) keeping Gru and the father taking Dru to another city.  After the father dies, the now grown up Dru invites Gru to visit him in Freedonia, where he has a prosperous pig and cheese farm, Gru is beside himself with expectations.  This constitutes one of the main themes of the story—anticipating something that may be different from what you expect, requiring some kind of adaptation on your part.  This happens not only to Gru in getting to know his twin, but also to Agnes (Scharrel) when she goes into the forest in search of a unicorn.

     The new character in 3 is Balthazar Bratt, a former child star who, in retaliation for Hollywood’s rejection of him has become a bad boy.  He revels in boasting nowadays, “I’ve been a bad boy!” as he is out for his revenge on Hollywood for cancelling his show, as well as for Gru and Lucy, AVL (Anti-Villain League) agents who have come close to capturing him for stealing the largest diamond in the world.  His escape from them results in their dismissal from the League, leaving Gru in an existential crisis. 

     It’s at just this time that Dru invites the Gru family to visit him.  What Gru encounters is a brother who felt he could never please their father.  It turns out that the father’s nickname was “The Bold Terror”, a kind of villain that Gru used to be.  But now Gru has a wife and family, he has been trying to disengage from that side of his past.  (It should be said here for those who know the previous Despicables, the Minions are none too happy about this.  However, in this rendition they manage to get incarcerated, escape, and, with their ingenuity, be in a position to aid their hero Gru.)

     Dru’s wanting Gru to teach him villainous skills puts Gru in a bind.  But he’s now in such a funk from being fired that he succumbs to Dru’s pleas.  He’s still crafty, though, and the way he hopes to satisfy both Dru’s desires and his own need for recognition by the AVL is to get back the diamond from Balthazar.

     The well-illustrated theme of Gru adapting to changing circumstances is reinforced with his newly acquired conscientiousness in doing what is right and feeling compassion for others less strong.  He is developing a more flexible way of thinking (i.e., seeing that Agnes’ discovery of a goat is just as exciting for her as finding a unicorn) and seems more grounded in living a life of honor.

     I found this update to be entertaining in its story, animation, and special effects, and the music (Heitor Pereira and Pharrell Williams) enjoyable.  It doesn’t have really strong messages for children, but sometimes, pure entertainment is all that’s wanted.  It’s not much different from its predecessors, but that is not likely to bother those who love these films.

Despicable Me 3 should do well at the box office; it was applauded by the audience at last evening’s screening.

Grade:  C+                                    By Donna R. Copeland