T’was the night before Christmas when, all through the movies,

A green creature was stirring, but he wasn’t that spooky.

No meaner nor eager than something I’d seen:

A frightening Jim Carrey, all covered in green!

But this wasn’t that film, for that film was a bore.

Say what you might, but I know what I saw!

‘A reboot, a reboot!’ cried the studio, ‘One more!

Dig up Seuss’s grave, while there’s still bones to gnaw!’

So they did and they have and now here it sits.

The old film? The novel? They cease to exist!

This remake, this cartoon, is this what we need?

A classic for Christmas? Or another mislead,

Trapping viewers together in one darkened room

With nothing for comfort but a Minions prelude?

 

The story you know, you’ve heard it before:

A grumpy, green Grinch steals Christmas once more.

‘But this time,’ you ask, ‘which actor’s attached?’

Well this Grinch, dear reader, is Benedict Cumberbatch.

 

Cumberbatch shines as the lonesome green creature

who isn’t that mean, for whatever reason,

more lonely and pitiful, with a scent of distaste

as he knocks over snowmen, a smile on his face.

What I find so confusing is his air of disdain,

For the Whos seem less frightened of this grumpy green pain.

Perhaps it’s that empathy, or because its animation,

but this Grinch feels too lively for a creature so craven.

 

Cindy-Lou Who is back once again

To teach the poor Grinch the importance of friends.

But this time she hopes for a new Christmas wish:

that her overworked single mother might be more nourished.

A strange change indeed, perhaps rather rough.

But in times like these, it works well enough.

 

This film’s animation is its greatest gift.

There’s nothing to moan about; no errors to list.

Snow’s never looked better, nor fur more precise.

Sure, the Grinch is rude, but at least he looks nice.

 

The soundtrack is merry and jolly throughout.

Another success Danny Elfman can tout.

Tyler the Creator however, now what does he add?

A Christmas rap, like the Grinch, that’s sincerely bad.

 

The film doesn’t differ too much from its source

(save the full hour of slapstick before it sets course):

The Grinch being Grinchy, a rogue and a prat

And then he steals Christmas, just in the last act.

 

This film is derivative but does little harm.

With fantastic animation and Cumberbatch charm,

The Grinch is not here to steal all your time.

There’s enough to enjoy; this film is no crime.

 

It’s under-stuffed yet pretty: a fair Christmas turkey.

You’ll laugh just enough and it’s satisfactorily quirky.

And you’d be a real Grinch not to slightly adore

The sweet Christmas sentiment and heart at its core.

It’s sappy and silly, it’s hard to deny,

But I give this movie a three out of five.