6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 3.7 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.2 |
The curmudgeonly recluse Grinch, who hates Christmas, becomes annoyed with the out-of-control Christmas festivities in Whoville, the town lying below his cave dwelling on Mt. Crumpit. But after the Grinch conspires to deprive the Whos of their favorite holiday by sneaking into town on Christmas Eve to steal everything associated with the holiday, he learns that the spirit of Christmas goes much deeper than tinsel and toys.
Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen, Kelley, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine BaranskiFamily | 100% |
Comedy | 88% |
Fantasy | 61% |
Holiday | 31% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: DTS 5.1
French: DTS 5.1
French & Spanish DTS 5.1 are 768 Kb/s
English SDH, French, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
BD-Live
D-Box
Region free
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 2.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Of all the holiday films and television specials that make the rounds each December, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas is, without a doubt, one of the most beloved, most unforgettable Christmas classics families have continued to invite into their homes every year. Even at a mere 26 minutes, Chuck Jones' animated heart-warmer is a powerful reminder of how easy it can be to become distracted with the trappings of the season; a graceful, streamlined masterpiece that faithfully adheres to Dr. Seuss' original children's book, embraces the author's message with unwavering passion and conviction, and effortlessly lifts spirits, even some forty years after its debut, with charming humor and sly soul. Sadly, the same can't be said of director Ron Howard's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, an overwrought, overcooked, overbearing adaptation that reeks of excess and ego.
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch. But so are you, Mr. Howard...
Whether you love Howard's How the Grinch Stole Christmas or absolutely loathe its every frame, there's no denying how awful, how truly, truly awful its 1080p/VC-1 transfer looks. The entire image is cloaked in a gray haze; an exceedingly drab veneer of poorly contrasted colors that rob the presentation of any depth, dimension, or punch. In short, contrast is a joke. While the film's palette is a bit stronger than it is on previous DVD releases, and fine detail a smidge sharper, everything else bears a striking resemblance to its standard definition counterpart. Blacks are unsatisfying and unresolved (referring to their color as charcoal would be generous), mediocre delineation frequently obscures the set designers' hard work, object definition is inconsistent and soft (even blurry at times), texture clarity is dull and indistinct, edge enhancement is out of control, and many shots... nay, many scenes are murky and lazily rendered. From the dreary confines of Whoville to the unforgiving shadows of the Grinch's cave, there isn't much to praise (aside from some bolder greens and more visceral reds). Sure, the picture doesn't suffer from any significant artifacting or banding -- two issues that plague the standard DVD -- but ringing, aliasing, crush, smearing, waxiness, and print damage still litter the proceedings.
I can't imagine how fans will feel when they see this mess. Had I enjoyed the film itself, I would be thoroughly heartbroken by Universal's shoulder-shrug of a transfer. A minor upgrade at best, How the Grinch Stole Christmas looks like a first-generation Blu-ray release, and a shoddy one at that. Prepare yourself accordingly.
At least Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track adds some value to this bargain bin-bound release. The only aspect that represents an upgrade from the standard DVD, The Grinch's lossless mix offers clear, well-prioritized dialogue, decent dynamics, and a series of suitably weighty sound effects (namely a rocket-powered sleigh, some packaging swiping contraptions, and the monstrous welcome mat pictured above). While the LFE channel isn't as robust or resonant as I had hoped, it nevertheless did a fine job with the film's more chaotic scenes. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of the rear speakers. Ambience is spotty, acoustics are unreliable and often unconvincing, and the two-dimensional soundfield produces an undeniably front-heavy experience. The musical score and the film's various action sequences tap into each speaker, but the majority of scenes fail to take advantage of the possibilities. Even so, the track bests the DVD's Dolby Digital bore, avoids any serious mishaps, and delivers a mix that will give enthusiasts some much-needed justification if they decide to buy the disc.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas arrives on Blu-ray packing all of the special features that appeared on the 2002 Deluxe Edition DVD, and presents each one in standard definition. Granted, the content focuses on the technical aspects of the production rather than the various thematic, structural, and fundamental changes the filmmakers made to Seuss' original tale, but fans of the film will enjoy seeing how Howard and company brought the Grinch and Whoville to life.
Ron Howard's How the Grinch Stole Christmas is far removed from Seuss' original tale. Yes, its costumes, sets, and makeup applications are incredibly faithful, but don't be fooled. It may look the part, it may feel Seussian, it may resemble Jones' animated classic, but Howard's Grinch is a misguided Jim Carrey vehicle through and through. It lacks the heart, soul, and honesty of its progenitors and, despite a lofty budget and some exceedingly bloated production values, fails to reproduce the emotional resonance of Jones' 1966 television special or Seuss' 1957 book. The Blu-ray edition is just as problematic. It features a decent DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, but its high definition transfer is such an underwhelming disappointment that it ruins the entire release. Soft, drab, and inconsistent, it will leave fans and critics wondering why a box office success has been cursed with such a poor video presentation. Rent it if you must, but I strongly suggest skipping this mess and investing your hard-earned cash elsewhere.
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20th Anniversary Edition
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Grinchmas Edition
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2000
2000
2000
2000
Grinchmas Edition | + Sing Fandango Cash
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Grinchmas Edition
2000
Grinchmas Edition
2000
Grinchmas Edition
2000
2018
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1964
2008
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2002
1991
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