“You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You’re as cuddly as a cactus. You’re as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch.”
Just about all of us have all heard the famous lyrics of the 1966 Christmas classic “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” but what does this sensation truly mean to the Christmas season?
Several movies have been adapted around the Grinch character, which has its origins in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” a book written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss and published by Random House in 1957. One adaptation goes even as far as a horror parody called “The Mean One,” which is definitely not family- friendly. Nonetheless, whether you love Jim Carey’s live-action film from the 2000s, Illumination’s “The Grinch” or you stick by the original children’s book by Dr. Seuss, there is a version suitable for everyone’s holiday feels.
It may seem like nothing beats the original, as everything released up until this point stems from the source material that was published in 1957. The Christmas feeling is definitely captured in Seuss’s storytelling as he was originally inspired to write the book after a difficult holiday season. Seuss was then able to create the story after observing the increasing commercialization of Christmas. From this iconic story, he has given the beloved masterpiece we know today, creating something that would become a holiday hit for generations.
Although the book was first, the 1966 cartoon may be the reason why “The Grinch” is so well-known today. The score for the TV special included 60 musicians playing a 34-piece orchestra with a 12-voice choir, which contributed to the beloved songs like, “Welcome Christmas,” “Trim up the Tree” and, of course, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
Junior Lilli Benben showed her Christmas spirit with the classic cartoon.
“The Grinch is my favorite because it’s such a classic and reminds me of my childhood,” Benben said. “It really shows Christmas spirit and how it can make even the saddest people happy.”
Nostalgia flows through the live action film as Jim Carey steals the screen with his performance as the grumpy and charismatic antagonist in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Taylor Momsen got her breakout role as the sweet-hearted Cindy Lou Who. The movie is filled with creative one-liners and famous quotes, making it a must-see movie during the Christmas season.
Actors Carey and Momsen, who starred in the 2000 film, recently reunited on the red carpet at the Rock & Roll Hall Fame Induction Ceremony last month.
In 2018, Illumination Studios released “The Grinch,” becoming the most recent of the adaptions. The beloved characters are reimagined, taking a new form of animation. This time around, Cindy Lou and her friends try to capture Santa in means to help her overworked mother, while the Grinch remains the grumpy antagonist; voice actor Benedict Cumberbatch brings the green creature to life in a new and different way.
An anonymous sophomore expressed her love for “The Grinch.”
“It’s a classic,” she said. “I’ve been watching with my family and little cousins for years.”
To mark the 25th anniversary of the 2000 live action film, there will be a special releasing of the movie starting today, December 12th.
No matter your favorite iteration of the classic, “The Grinch” is undoubtably a Christmas phenomenon, so grab your cocoa and dive into the franchise!
