Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - NR
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this classic children's tale -- read line-by-line by Boris Karloff -- contains moments of extremely mild peril. The Grinch's dog is abused -- slammed into snow drifts and run over by the sleigh. And very young or sensitive children may become slightly distraught at the Grinch stealing all the Whos' Christmas presents. But there's far more to recommend in this TV special than there is to worry about. It's a classic that should be required holiday viewing for every family that celebrates Christmas.
Family members can talk about whether they act like the Whos or not: Would you enjoy Christmas as much without lots of presents? How do you make Christmas special? This special is a great way to encourage children to, for instance, hand-make Christmas presents instead of buying them.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Heather Boerner
Forget those nasty Christmas movies that are too cynical and cool to be heartwarming, and settle your family down for a viewing of DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS. This classic, animated retelling of the beloved Theodore Geisel book is true to its roots and its heartwarming moral.
It's the day before Christmas, and all the Grinch can think about is how much he hates the whole Christmas season. "No one quite knows the reason. It could be perhaps that his shoes were too tight. It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small."
Naturally, then, the Grinch hates the Whos in Whoville, who string up the lights, hang the holly Who-wreath, and play with the confoundingly loud jing-tinglers, floobfloobers, and tar tinkers. He can't stand it! So he hatches a plot to stop Christmas from coming. Dressed as a rag-tag Santa, the Grinch sneaks into every home and, with the coerced help of his dog, drags all their Christmas decorations, food, and presents back up the mountain. But can he stop Christmas from coming? And can the love that Christmas embodies save his shriveled heart?
If you were born in the past 50 years, you know the answer to that question. It's a sweet, soothing story, nearly the polar opposite of movies like Jingle All the Way or even the classic A Christmas Story, with their focus on consumerism.
This 30-minute cartoon will introduce a new generation to the adorably put-up dog; the nasty, green face of the Grinch; and the angelic Cindy Lou Who. And it will have youngsters bopping along to great songs like "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." Kids are likely to howl in delight at descriptions like, "You have termites in your smile. You have all the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile!"
Keep the heartwarming holiday vibe going with other family favorites, like Elf and The Muppets Christmas Carol.
Rate It!
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ViolenceThe Grinch's dog, Rex, is slammed into snow drifts and run over by the sleigh. |
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Social BehaviorAfter doing some very mean things, the Grinch learns that Christmas is about more than gifts and presents. It's about love. |
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