This review originally ran December 25th, 2011.  I wished I could have kept this as my Christmas Day review, but a few other movies caught my eye.  This is still a must-watch as many times as you can.

So our first 25 Days of Christmas series comes to a close with the best Christmas special out there, Dr. Seuss‘ 1966 animated film How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  I recently watched the Ron Howard remake for this month a few days back and was horrified by what had been done to this great special.  Thankfully, rewatching this has made me all but forget that horrible movie!  I don’t have any best/worst of the month since I’d seen most of these movies previously but I’d say Ron Howard’s Grinch was the worst thing I’ve seen this month.

This 1966 film tells how the evil Grinch (voiced by Boris Karloff) hates the Whos down in Whoville who love Christmas.  He comes up with a plan to steal all the Whos Christmas stuff, but eventually comes to realize that maybe “Christmas means a little bit more” than gifts.

Much like the remake of the Grinch, although in a more negative light, what can be said about this film that hasn’t already been said in countless reviews?  There’s something so dastardly heartwarming about this movie if that’s even a phrase.  The Grinch is expertly voiced by Frankenstein himself, Boris Karloff, and is evil all the way around.  When he turns his head 360 degrees, you know he’s pretty damn evil.  On top of that he’s mean to the cutest dog in the world, Max!  I was sad that Max wasn’t utilized in the remake because here Max steals the show.  The scene of the Grinch going down the mountain and seeing that Max isn’t controlling the sleigh but is inside, waving to him no less, always cracks me up!

I heavily criticized Ron Howard’s remake for missing the point of this special.  The Whos are benevolent, sweet people who love the togetherness of Christmas.  When the Grinch steals their presents it’s because he’s the one who assumes it’s all about materials.  Yet, when the group gathers around the Christmas tree and sings “Welcome Christmas” it’s because Christmas is about community and sharing!  Where Ron Howard turns the Whos into unlikable jerks, this cements that Christmas is a time of family and that if the Grinch opens himself up to love, he can be a part of it too!

On top of that the animation is still flawless for a movie made in 1966 and the song, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” is a classic for a reason.  It’s also been the ringtone for my father this Christmas season, just to let you lovely readers into my personal life for a moment.  I know I keep forgetting to grade these entries so I’m throwing in my grade now!

Grade: A+

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Deluxe Edition)