Grinch, The (2018, Benedict Cumberbatch, Pharrell Williams)

For their eighth fully animated feature, Illumination and Universal Pictures present The Grinch, based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday classic. The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit. Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, it’s a universal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism.

Academy Award® nominee Benedict Cumberbatch lends his voice to the infamous Grinch, who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. With a cave rigged with inventions and contraptions for his day-to-day needs, the Grinch only sees his neighbors in Who-ville when he runs out of food.

Each year at Christmas they disrupt his tranquil solitude with their increasingly bigger, brighter and louder celebrations. When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace and quiet: he must steal Christmas. To do so, he decides he will pose as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, even going so far as to trap a lackadaisical misfit reindeer to pull his sleigh.

Meanwhile, down in Who-ville, Cindy-Lou Who-a young girl overflowing with holiday cheer-plots with her gang of friends to trap Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve rounds so that she can thank him for help for her overworked single mother. As Christmas approaches, however, her good-natured scheming threatens to collide with the Grinch’s more nefarious one. Will Cindy-Lou achieve her goal of finally meeting Santa Claus? Will the Grinch succeed in silencing the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all?

production details
USA | Universal – Illumination | 90 minutes | 2018

Director: Yarrow Cheney
Scott Mosier
Script: Michael LeSieur Cinco Paul Ken Daurio Dr. Seuss

cast
Benedict Cumberbatch as Grinch (voice)
Cameron Seely as Cindy Lou Who (voice)
Pharrell Williams as Narrator (voice)
Rashida Jones as Donna Lou Who (voice)
Angela Lansbury as Mayor McGerkle (voice)
Kenan Thompson as Bricklebaum (voice)
Scott Mosier as Additional voices
Tristan O’Hare as Groopert (voice)
Sam Lavagnino as Ozzy (voice)
Ramone Hamilton as Axl (voice)
Scarlett Estevez as Izzy (voice)
Michael Beattie as Store Clerk (voice)
Lori Alan as Additional Voices (voice)
Carter Hastings as Additional Voices (voice)
Carlos Alazraqui as Additional Voices (voice)
John Kassir as Additional Voices (voice)
Doug Burch as Additional Voices (voice)
Evan Kishiyama as Additional Voices (voice)
Cathy Cavadini as Additional Voices (voice)
Danny Mann as Additional Voices (voice)
Tucker Chandler as Additional Voices (voice)
Tristan Mamasakhlisashvili as Litttle Lou (Voice)