REVIEW: The Grinch is a Christmas cartoon that stretches the classic verse of Dr Seuss a little too far

For viewers of a reduced age, The Grinch will soon be all the rage. For those known to be somewhat older, the reception will be slightly colder, writes Leigh Paatsch.

This new release plays fast and loose with the classic yarn by Dr Seuss.

It’s bright, it’s wacky, it is not scary.

There’s no live-action, and there’s no Jim Carrey.

The Grinch’s reason to be alive is hating December 25.

So in Whoville he will cause dismay by stealing everyone’s Christmas Day.

The Grinch.

There will be boos and no applause for this mean green anti-Santa Claus.

(The Grinch’s grizzly grumblings match to the voice of Benny Cumberbatch.)

But his sidekicks are fun, it must be said: one’s called Max, the other one, Fred.

Max is a dog and a loyal mate, Fred a reindeer who could lose some weight.

That’s Max on the right, OK?

The trio’s scheme, at its essence: sneak into Whoville, snatch all presents.

Will they succeed or will they fail?

Sorry, no spoilers for this tale.

The Grinch hates Whoville just as much as Christmas.

For viewers of a reduced age, The Grinch will soon be all the rage.

For those known to be somewhat older, the reception will be slightly colder.

The flaw they cannot overlook?

It’s a 90-minute film from a 30-page book.

THE GRINCH (G)

Rating: Three stars (3 out of 5)

Directors: Yarrow Cheney, Scott Mosier

Starring: the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch, Cameron Seely, Rashida Jones, Pharrell Williams.

Stretching the reasons beyond the rhyme