Which Grinch is best?

BY ASHTYN HANSARD /  Executive Producer

As the fall semester at Tarleton State University reaches its end, students are beginning to get into the Christmas spirit. One way to do that is to watch a Christmas movie.
Over several years, there have been three different Grinch movies released that are well known. While everyone may have their preference, I sat down and dissected what really made these movies different from one another.

Between all three movies, the plot line stays relatively the same. The Grinch is a citizen of Whoville that hates Christmas. He lives isolated and alone so he can avoid the other Whos.

When Whoville decides to host their annual town-wide Christmas celebration, the Grinch decides to take the holiday spirit by stealing Christmas. However, through the help of Cindy-Lou, a little girl living in Whoville, the Grinch learns about the joys of Christmas and grows a heart.

While the plot is the same, there are some differences that make each movie unique and its own product. 

The 1966 “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” directed by Chuck Jones and Ben Washam, was the first Grinch movie that was released to the public. The animated movie established the Grinch as an iconic Christmas movie and character. 

Although the 1966 version is based on a book created by Dr. Suess, the actual film helped establish a foundation for other adaptations to grow inspiration from.

Mackinsy Morgan, a Stephenville resident, has a deep love for this original version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

“It’s a classic Christmas movie,” Morgan said. “The nostalgia of the animation brings me back to being a kid during Christmas time. It’s almost impossible to not love it.”

In 2000, a live action version with the same title was released everywhere. This adaptation had a low rating on Rotten Tomatoes with a 49% critical review, despite winning an Oscar for best makeup in 2001. Ironically, this is the most popular adaptation.

The 2000 live adaptation has become a staple movie for families to watch during the Christmas season for many reasons. 

In this version, Jim Carrey stars as The Grinch, bringing a new kind of chaotic energy that radiates throughout the entire film. The movie also features an edgier type of humor that hadn’t been seen in the previous movies, later creating many iconic moments that are still quoted today.

Another Stephenville resident, Emilio Gray, has always loved this adaptation.

“It’s a timeless classic,” Gray said. “I think it’ll hold up to the test of time better than the others. It’s already cemented itself as a yearly ritual with my family.”

One detail that differs this movie from others is the love triangle between the mayor, Martha May and the Grinch. Martha May and the Grinch had crushes on each other in school but the Mayor had bullied the Grinch into leaving, seemingly ending any chance he had with Martha May. At the end of the movie, they reunite and get together.

In 2018, yet another adaptation of the Grinch was released to the public. This version was created as a 3-D animation, giving it its own twist on an animated Grinch movie. The character arc for the Grinch is relatively the same, but another character has a different development.

In this adaptation, the audience gets a deeper dive into Cindy-Lou’s life in Whoville. Her mother, Donna Who, is a single mother struggling to make ends meet with her three kids. For Christmas, Cindy-Lou wishes to Santa that her mother wouldn’t have to work as hard to keep her family happy.

Something that sets this movie apart from the rest is the original soundtrack featuring famous artists such as Grammy winner Tyler, the Creator and Pentatonix. 
Rece Elkins, a senior at Tarleton, has some fond memories of watching this 2018 adaptation.

“I watched this movie at the Alamo drafthouse when I was about 13 and I had a blast,” Elkins said. “It was nice to get to watch a familiar movie in a new location.”

While all three Grinch adaptations may have similar plots, these comparisons show just how different and unique each movie is. If you’re looking for a movie to get you in the Christmas spirit, I recommend any of these three Grinch movies.