Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas ★★½ How the Grinch Stole Christmas; The Grinch 2000 (PG)

If you've seen the cartoon, then you know it was padded. Just think of the stuff that Ron Howard added!/A new plot line here, an embellishment there, all Carreyed by a big star in green skin and hair./Crass Whos are shown doing frantic Yule shopping, and decoration-envy keeps each neighbor hopping./This anti-shop message is curiously told, considering the junk that this film clearly sold./ Cindy Lou Who loses her Christmastime zest, and starts to research the town's Yuletide pest./In a flashback it's shown why the Grinch is so mean, and a love interest is added from when he's a teen./He's elected Cheer-meister of the holiday season; but again leaves bitter, and with good Grinchy reason./Mayor May Who, his rival for Martha May's hand, repeats an insult about too-active glands./The stage is now set for his Grinchy attacks, assisted by his trusty reindeer/dog Max./Though he gave back Christmas for all the Whos' sakes, the Grinch got away with huge boxoffice takes./Young tots may think that this Grinch is too scary, but big kids will like the antics of Carrey./Fair holiday flick, even though the plot thins. Narrated by Sir Anthony Hopkins. 102m/C VHS, DVD, HD DVD . Jim Carrey, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Taylor Momsen, Molly Shannon, Josh Ryan Evans, Clint Howard, Bill Irwin, Sloane Momsen; D: Ron Howard; W: Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman; C: Don Peterman; M: James Horner; Nar: Anthony Hopkins.