DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH [2018] (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital)
Release Date: February 5, 2019
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Video: 2.39:1 2160p Widescreen
Audio: English Dolby Atmos (TrueHD 7.1 Core), Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital Plus 7.1, English DVS Dolby Digital 2.0
THE RATINGS
The Movie Itself - ★ ★ ★ ★ ✰
Video Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4K Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ✰
Audio Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
4K Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ✰
Audio Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Special Features - ★ ★ ★ ½ ✰
Overall - ★ ★ ★ ★ ✰
_____________________________________________________________________________
THE FILM ITSELF Our Reviewer's Take
Even meaner and greener in HDR.
Even meaner and greener in HDR.
Reviewed by Gavin King
Illumination Entertainment most certainly knows how to craft an enjoyable family film. Hot off the heels of their massive success Despicable Me (and its 2013 and 2017 sequels) followed several standalone animated adventures such as the wonderfully delightful The Secret Life of Pets as well as the groovy and heartwarming musical Sing. And, of course, animation fanatics can't forget the 2015 smash hit spin-off Minions, featuring the studio's little yellow mischievous mascots. Putting it simply: Illumination has become - and is to this date - a huge Hollywood name in modern animation. Their latest film, Dr. Seuss' The Grinch, has them returning to the Seussian universe in the tradition of 2012's The Lorax. The film features the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch as the curmudgeonly green Grinch as well as an all-star supporting cast including Rashida Jones, Angela Lansbury, and Kenan Thompson, as well as newcomer Cameron Seely providing the voice of Cindy Lou Who.
It's Christmas time in the buoyant little city of Whoville, and that can only mean one thing to its many citizens... winter joy! That's right, now is the time for Whos of all kinds to belt out Christmas carols, prepare the ovens for rare Who roast beast, hang up the stockings, and prepare for the annual Whoville tree lighting ceremony. But this time of cheer and happiness also means one other thing: another year of stress and grumpiness for Mr. Grinch (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). The Grinch absolutely despises Christmas and anything associated with it; simply the sight of an elegantly-wrapped present will make him want to gag. His hatred for the holiday stems back to his youngest days where he lived in a depressing orphanage that just didn't celebrate Christmas at all. It made him sad, confused, frustrated - which in turn made his heart two sizes too small. One day after skeptically shopping for food to stock up on, he runs into his "friend" Bricklebaum (voiced by Kenan Thompson) who informs him of the annual Whoville tree-lighting ceremony. He tells Grinch that the mayor wants Christmas to be three times bigger than any previous year, which inevitably irks the Grinch. His attempt to put a stop to all of the tree-lighting festivities goes awry when he only ends up inadvertently making things brighter (quite literally). Angered and sifting through ideas, the Grinch plans to steal every Who's Christmas, his biggest scheme yet. To do it well, he'll need a little help from his canine pal Max, a plump reindeer he comes to name "Fred", and maybe - just maybe - the generous holiday spirit of a little Who-girl named Cindy Lou Who, who just might boast the innocent kindness to warm the Grinch's cold heart.
The Grinch is a character that dates back decades, going all the way back to the classic Boris Karloff / Chuck Jones hand-drawn masterclass in '66 and looking at slightly more recent updates such as the 2001 Jim Carrey-starred film which many Christmas movie fans consider to be their guilty pleasure despite the less-than-enthusiastic critical response. Point is, the Grinch is legendary. And he's a unique Christmas character because he's antonymous, at least at first, to what the true spirit of Christmas is all about. Yet people across the globe still love him and it's not at all difficult to see why. Sure his motivations are a bit malicious at first glance, but his cynical nature and snarky demeanor are, for once, something we can stick along with throughout the ride, since a good majority of the story rides off of it, whether it's showcased in the classic hand-drawn animation, the live-action iteration, and this Illumination revitalization.
And that in and of its own makes the Grinch a really interesting character study. Without getting too deep - this is still an animated property - the Grinch, throughout the a great chunk of the story - and this is evident in this version of the film, too - is designed to be a somewhat unlikable, grouchy, cynical, spirit-less guy. He hates Christmas, hates happiness (unless said happiness comes through success in his Christmas-annihilating endeavors), and lives in a secluded, closed-off cave far away from all of the other joyful folks in bustling Whoville. Despite his (externally) negative motivations, he's kind of the guy we have to root for. They didn't make the title of the film "The Grinch" for nothing. And what's even more interesting is in the process of rooting for this gloomy, negative main character, we can actually grow to like him. He's made palatable for the younger crowd through the expected yuks and gags Illumination has trademarked but even some of the older folks can follow Grinch's action quite nicely. Besides, he isn't doing this just because he wants to steal Christmas. While his motivations may seem bleak and straightforward thanks to marketing tactics, it's made fairly clear through the film's opening that he was deprived of the Christmas joy at a young age and got the jealousy virus from everywho else having a blast through snowball fights, caroling, and present wrapping. So in this viewpoint it makes sense for Grinch to be ticked about Christmas, making a unique turn by giving all the other Whos a taste of their own medicine. Good stuff.
Of course, though, this is still an Illumination movie through and through, character studies and all, and the film has the Illumination fingerprint engraved throughout all 85 minutes. The animation is gorgeous to look at yet entertainingly elastic, cartoonish, and buoyant. It's not quite photorealistic in lieu of Secret Life - really, this one doesn't have to be considering its hand-drawn roots - but there's no denying its brilliance... more on that in the video section below. Benedict Cumberbatch portrays the grumpy Grinch very well, blessing a personality to the character that - again - reinforces the Grinch's true motivations and such. The voice acting highlight, however, is newcomer Cameron Seely as Cindy Lou Who. Seely blesses an irresistibly cute cadence to Cindy that honestly blows all previous iterations of the character out of the water. It also helps that she's adorably rendered as far as character designs go, no surprise coming from animation master Illumination. The film does a very good job of balancing that difficult tightrope between respecting Seuss' original visions and adding a modern twist that a mainstream audience can appreciate. It never feels too faithful for its own good or, better yet, increasingly cringe-worthy to pander to millennials (I'm talking to you, Emoji Movie).
Caution: Christmas Stealing At Work.
It's Christmas time in the buoyant little city of Whoville, and that can only mean one thing to its many citizens... winter joy! That's right, now is the time for Whos of all kinds to belt out Christmas carols, prepare the ovens for rare Who roast beast, hang up the stockings, and prepare for the annual Whoville tree lighting ceremony. But this time of cheer and happiness also means one other thing: another year of stress and grumpiness for Mr. Grinch (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). The Grinch absolutely despises Christmas and anything associated with it; simply the sight of an elegantly-wrapped present will make him want to gag. His hatred for the holiday stems back to his youngest days where he lived in a depressing orphanage that just didn't celebrate Christmas at all. It made him sad, confused, frustrated - which in turn made his heart two sizes too small. One day after skeptically shopping for food to stock up on, he runs into his "friend" Bricklebaum (voiced by Kenan Thompson) who informs him of the annual Whoville tree-lighting ceremony. He tells Grinch that the mayor wants Christmas to be three times bigger than any previous year, which inevitably irks the Grinch. His attempt to put a stop to all of the tree-lighting festivities goes awry when he only ends up inadvertently making things brighter (quite literally). Angered and sifting through ideas, the Grinch plans to steal every Who's Christmas, his biggest scheme yet. To do it well, he'll need a little help from his canine pal Max, a plump reindeer he comes to name "Fred", and maybe - just maybe - the generous holiday spirit of a little Who-girl named Cindy Lou Who, who just might boast the innocent kindness to warm the Grinch's cold heart.
The Grinch is a character that dates back decades, going all the way back to the classic Boris Karloff / Chuck Jones hand-drawn masterclass in '66 and looking at slightly more recent updates such as the 2001 Jim Carrey-starred film which many Christmas movie fans consider to be their guilty pleasure despite the less-than-enthusiastic critical response. Point is, the Grinch is legendary. And he's a unique Christmas character because he's antonymous, at least at first, to what the true spirit of Christmas is all about. Yet people across the globe still love him and it's not at all difficult to see why. Sure his motivations are a bit malicious at first glance, but his cynical nature and snarky demeanor are, for once, something we can stick along with throughout the ride, since a good majority of the story rides off of it, whether it's showcased in the classic hand-drawn animation, the live-action iteration, and this Illumination revitalization.
C'mon, dude! Just do your best Santa impersonation.
And that in and of its own makes the Grinch a really interesting character study. Without getting too deep - this is still an animated property - the Grinch, throughout the a great chunk of the story - and this is evident in this version of the film, too - is designed to be a somewhat unlikable, grouchy, cynical, spirit-less guy. He hates Christmas, hates happiness (unless said happiness comes through success in his Christmas-annihilating endeavors), and lives in a secluded, closed-off cave far away from all of the other joyful folks in bustling Whoville. Despite his (externally) negative motivations, he's kind of the guy we have to root for. They didn't make the title of the film "The Grinch" for nothing. And what's even more interesting is in the process of rooting for this gloomy, negative main character, we can actually grow to like him. He's made palatable for the younger crowd through the expected yuks and gags Illumination has trademarked but even some of the older folks can follow Grinch's action quite nicely. Besides, he isn't doing this just because he wants to steal Christmas. While his motivations may seem bleak and straightforward thanks to marketing tactics, it's made fairly clear through the film's opening that he was deprived of the Christmas joy at a young age and got the jealousy virus from everywho else having a blast through snowball fights, caroling, and present wrapping. So in this viewpoint it makes sense for Grinch to be ticked about Christmas, making a unique turn by giving all the other Whos a taste of their own medicine. Good stuff.
Of course, though, this is still an Illumination movie through and through, character studies and all, and the film has the Illumination fingerprint engraved throughout all 85 minutes. The animation is gorgeous to look at yet entertainingly elastic, cartoonish, and buoyant. It's not quite photorealistic in lieu of Secret Life - really, this one doesn't have to be considering its hand-drawn roots - but there's no denying its brilliance... more on that in the video section below. Benedict Cumberbatch portrays the grumpy Grinch very well, blessing a personality to the character that - again - reinforces the Grinch's true motivations and such. The voice acting highlight, however, is newcomer Cameron Seely as Cindy Lou Who. Seely blesses an irresistibly cute cadence to Cindy that honestly blows all previous iterations of the character out of the water. It also helps that she's adorably rendered as far as character designs go, no surprise coming from animation master Illumination. The film does a very good job of balancing that difficult tightrope between respecting Seuss' original visions and adding a modern twist that a mainstream audience can appreciate. It never feels too faithful for its own good or, better yet, increasingly cringe-worthy to pander to millennials (I'm talking to you, Emoji Movie).
DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH (2018) 4K Blu-ray - Video Quality
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch in 4K Ultra HD looks very nice. The upgrade is not so much dramatic as it is subtle. Indeed - details do not see a huge uptick from the already wonderful-looking 1080p Blu-ray companion (which is also included in this combo pack). Small facets like strands of Grinch fur, flakes of snow, Christmas trees, and mounds others prove to be at least ever-so-slightly crisper and at most lightly notable in terms of improved detailing. It's also important to take into account that the film was finished on a digital intermediate of 2K, meaning that the source animation is somewhat limited when it comes to full-scale raw detailing improvements, but viewers will be able to point out a few noteworthy spots where the image looks slightly sharper than the lesser-resolution Blu-ray release. Where the presentation really struts its stuff is in the form of the HDR colors (note that I am currently unable to review Dolby Vision equipment, which this disc offers). The image as a whole is a tinge darker than the 1080p iteration. Colors are noticeably more refined, authentic, and above all vibrant. There's more pop and vigor to aspects like the Grinch's bright green fur, the slew of Christmas lights during the tree lighting ceremony, and even some moments that take place in the Grinch's underground workshop where he creates some of his finest Christmas-stealing gadgets and gizmos. Nighttime black levels are also considerably more refined and deep, another big plus to the presentation. Banding and other compression pests are nonexistent here. This is a very strong UHD from the folks at Universal - there's a small upgrade to detail levels, but the disc's HDR coloring offering is what makes its more often than not a winner.
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch arrives on Blu-ray with the same Dolby Atmos soundtrack that the 1080p Blu-ray disc boasts. It takes full advantage of the playful soundscape an animated feature has to offer. It isn't quite as immensely dynamic as previous tracks from the studio such as The Secret Life of Pets, but truth be told there's a lot to enjoy here. Music is a key beneficiary. Danny Elfman's score does not disappoint aurally. Instrumentals are clear and precise and the stage accompaniment with each note is excellent. Much of the same can be said with the popular Christmas hits the film features, such as Christmas in Hollis, Is Zat You, Santa Claus?, and the most recent modernization of You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, helmed by Tyler, The Creator. Each of these is mixed very well in the speaker arrangement without complaint. As one would expect of an animated film, there are also plenty of fun action-oriented sonics. The Grinch's endeavors to rid Christmas are often very impressive audio-wise, as elements such as butter-smooth cross-channel panning, complimentary low end activity, and consistent surround speaker usage combine to concoct a very fun surround sound net effect that will please audiophiles both young and old. Ambience is crisp, wide, and immersive as well. The pre-Christmas activity of Whoville springs to sonic life, as does cold blustery winds, the Grinch's spacious cave (which also serves up some great dialogue reverb) and a few other various locations. Dialogue runs into zero issues regarding placement, intelligibility, or cleanliness. It's a very entertaining track that most certainly won't make anyone feel like a Grinch listening to.
Would Theodor Geisel be proud of Illumination's The Grinch? Hard to say. This newest take on the mean green character implements a fair deal of modern twists to bring in mounds of today's moviegoers but also balances it out quite well thanks to brilliant animation, sharp voice acting (particularly from Cumberbatch and Seely), adorable character designs, and a healthy beating heart at its core. This isn't going to reinvent the 3D animation or Seussian-film wheel, but it's nevertheless a very cute and highly entertaining family-friendly adventure that will please younger audiences and keep their parents satisfied with the proficient end result as well. Better, Universal's UHD package is terrific. Bold HDR video, strong-sounding Atmos audio, and a plentiful amount of good all-around supplements are the icing on the cake. Highly recommended for families.
EXTRA SCREENSHOTS:
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch in 4K Ultra HD looks very nice. The upgrade is not so much dramatic as it is subtle. Indeed - details do not see a huge uptick from the already wonderful-looking 1080p Blu-ray companion (which is also included in this combo pack). Small facets like strands of Grinch fur, flakes of snow, Christmas trees, and mounds others prove to be at least ever-so-slightly crisper and at most lightly notable in terms of improved detailing. It's also important to take into account that the film was finished on a digital intermediate of 2K, meaning that the source animation is somewhat limited when it comes to full-scale raw detailing improvements, but viewers will be able to point out a few noteworthy spots where the image looks slightly sharper than the lesser-resolution Blu-ray release. Where the presentation really struts its stuff is in the form of the HDR colors (note that I am currently unable to review Dolby Vision equipment, which this disc offers). The image as a whole is a tinge darker than the 1080p iteration. Colors are noticeably more refined, authentic, and above all vibrant. There's more pop and vigor to aspects like the Grinch's bright green fur, the slew of Christmas lights during the tree lighting ceremony, and even some moments that take place in the Grinch's underground workshop where he creates some of his finest Christmas-stealing gadgets and gizmos. Nighttime black levels are also considerably more refined and deep, another big plus to the presentation. Banding and other compression pests are nonexistent here. This is a very strong UHD from the folks at Universal - there's a small upgrade to detail levels, but the disc's HDR coloring offering is what makes its more often than not a winner.
DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH (2018) 4K Blu-ray - Audio Quality
Dr. Seuss' The Grinch arrives on Blu-ray with the same Dolby Atmos soundtrack that the 1080p Blu-ray disc boasts. It takes full advantage of the playful soundscape an animated feature has to offer. It isn't quite as immensely dynamic as previous tracks from the studio such as The Secret Life of Pets, but truth be told there's a lot to enjoy here. Music is a key beneficiary. Danny Elfman's score does not disappoint aurally. Instrumentals are clear and precise and the stage accompaniment with each note is excellent. Much of the same can be said with the popular Christmas hits the film features, such as Christmas in Hollis, Is Zat You, Santa Claus?, and the most recent modernization of You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, helmed by Tyler, The Creator. Each of these is mixed very well in the speaker arrangement without complaint. As one would expect of an animated film, there are also plenty of fun action-oriented sonics. The Grinch's endeavors to rid Christmas are often very impressive audio-wise, as elements such as butter-smooth cross-channel panning, complimentary low end activity, and consistent surround speaker usage combine to concoct a very fun surround sound net effect that will please audiophiles both young and old. Ambience is crisp, wide, and immersive as well. The pre-Christmas activity of Whoville springs to sonic life, as does cold blustery winds, the Grinch's spacious cave (which also serves up some great dialogue reverb) and a few other various locations. Dialogue runs into zero issues regarding placement, intelligibility, or cleanliness. It's a very entertaining track that most certainly won't make anyone feel like a Grinch listening to.
DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH (2018) 4K Blu-ray - Special Features
In a smart move from the UHD masters at Universal, all of the extras originally on the 1080p Blu-ray disc are also included on this UHD release - and in 2160p, no less.
- From Green to Screen (2160p, 6:19) Looks at the roots of the Grinch, his motivations, translating them to this modernization, Cumberbatch's voice performance, the story's themes, and more.
- Illuminating The Grinch (2160p, 4:55) Takes an inside look at designing an Illumination-ized character of the film, in terms of staying true to Dr. Seuss' original roots, as well as the addition of some new faces (e.g. fat reindeer Fred).
- Who's Who in Whoville (2160p) This interactive bit allows viewers to take a closer look at some of the most prominent characters from the film: The Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, Max & Fred, Head Who's, and Cindy Lou's Crew. In each stage, viewers have the option to learn more about these characters through the following options, which vary by each character: Character Profile, which offers cast and crew interviews in featurettes about the characters, Walk Cycle which showcases early walking animation tests, Animation Test which is more of the same, Progression Reel which displays a scene from the film in various stages of development (storyboard, pre-vis, final film, etc.), and Photo Gallery. It's quite the interesting supplement, and kudos to Universal and Illumination for making something creative out of all these materials.
- My Earliest Grinch Memories (2160p, 3:10) The cast and crew jog their memories to recall their first Grinch experiences and describe how said memories have impacted their lives.
- Grinchy Gadgets (2160p, 3:21) The Grinch is certainly going to steal Christmas, but how will he do this? With some handy tools, of course!
- "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" Lyric Video (2160p, 1:55) Sing along to Tyler, The Creator's modern take on the classic anti-Christmas anthem.
- "I Am the Grinch" Lyric Video (2160p, 2:48) Lyrics appear onscreen for Tyler, the Creator's song made specifically for this new film.
- Songs From His Little Heart (2160p, 3:25) As Chris Meladandri states: "We envisioned a really immersive musical landscape for the movie." This piece looks closer at Danny Elfman's unique musical score.
- Any Who Can Draw (2160p) Learn how to draw characters from the film. Includes The Grinch (3:05), Max (2:04), and Fred (2:11).
- Christmas Around the World (2160p, 2:20) A brief look at the ways different folks across the globe celebrate Christmas.
- Cindy-Lou's Yule Log (2160p, 8:02) Not much to talk about here - a fireplace backdrop inspired by the film, with the Grinch popping in every now and then.
- Production Babies (2160p, 1:16) A list of the names of babies born to the crew during the production of the film.
- Mini-Movies (2160p) include the following:
Yellow Is the New Black (4:17) The minions from the Despicable Me films find themselves in prison - now all they have to do is escape. Slapsticky hilarity ensues...
The Dog Days of Winter (4:04) Poor Grinch is ill and can't get out of bed. Good thing he has his loyal dog Max to brave the blustery cold weather to obtain a hot mug of tea for him.
Santa's Little Helpers (3:52) The Despicable Me minions are ready to head to Miami... or so they think. They'll have to work up the prowess to become Santa's elves in the process. Weird, right?
The Making of the Mini-Movies (5:53) The Illumination crew talks up the joy and value of concocting brand-spanking-new Mini-Movies.
In a smart move from the UHD masters at Universal, all of the extras originally on the 1080p Blu-ray disc are also included on this UHD release - and in 2160p, no less.
- From Green to Screen (2160p, 6:19) Looks at the roots of the Grinch, his motivations, translating them to this modernization, Cumberbatch's voice performance, the story's themes, and more.
- Illuminating The Grinch (2160p, 4:55) Takes an inside look at designing an Illumination-ized character of the film, in terms of staying true to Dr. Seuss' original roots, as well as the addition of some new faces (e.g. fat reindeer Fred).
- Who's Who in Whoville (2160p) This interactive bit allows viewers to take a closer look at some of the most prominent characters from the film: The Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, Max & Fred, Head Who's, and Cindy Lou's Crew. In each stage, viewers have the option to learn more about these characters through the following options, which vary by each character: Character Profile, which offers cast and crew interviews in featurettes about the characters, Walk Cycle which showcases early walking animation tests, Animation Test which is more of the same, Progression Reel which displays a scene from the film in various stages of development (storyboard, pre-vis, final film, etc.), and Photo Gallery. It's quite the interesting supplement, and kudos to Universal and Illumination for making something creative out of all these materials.
- My Earliest Grinch Memories (2160p, 3:10) The cast and crew jog their memories to recall their first Grinch experiences and describe how said memories have impacted their lives.
- Grinchy Gadgets (2160p, 3:21) The Grinch is certainly going to steal Christmas, but how will he do this? With some handy tools, of course!
- "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" Lyric Video (2160p, 1:55) Sing along to Tyler, The Creator's modern take on the classic anti-Christmas anthem.
- "I Am the Grinch" Lyric Video (2160p, 2:48) Lyrics appear onscreen for Tyler, the Creator's song made specifically for this new film.
- Songs From His Little Heart (2160p, 3:25) As Chris Meladandri states: "We envisioned a really immersive musical landscape for the movie." This piece looks closer at Danny Elfman's unique musical score.
- Any Who Can Draw (2160p) Learn how to draw characters from the film. Includes The Grinch (3:05), Max (2:04), and Fred (2:11).
- Christmas Around the World (2160p, 2:20) A brief look at the ways different folks across the globe celebrate Christmas.
- Cindy-Lou's Yule Log (2160p, 8:02) Not much to talk about here - a fireplace backdrop inspired by the film, with the Grinch popping in every now and then.
- Production Babies (2160p, 1:16) A list of the names of babies born to the crew during the production of the film.
- Mini-Movies (2160p) include the following:
Yellow Is the New Black (4:17) The minions from the Despicable Me films find themselves in prison - now all they have to do is escape. Slapsticky hilarity ensues...
The Dog Days of Winter (4:04) Poor Grinch is ill and can't get out of bed. Good thing he has his loyal dog Max to brave the blustery cold weather to obtain a hot mug of tea for him.
Santa's Little Helpers (3:52) The Despicable Me minions are ready to head to Miami... or so they think. They'll have to work up the prowess to become Santa's elves in the process. Weird, right?
The Making of the Mini-Movies (5:53) The Illumination crew talks up the joy and value of concocting brand-spanking-new Mini-Movies.
DR. SEUSS' THE GRINCH (2018) 4K Blu-ray - Overall Recommendation
Would Theodor Geisel be proud of Illumination's The Grinch? Hard to say. This newest take on the mean green character implements a fair deal of modern twists to bring in mounds of today's moviegoers but also balances it out quite well thanks to brilliant animation, sharp voice acting (particularly from Cumberbatch and Seely), adorable character designs, and a healthy beating heart at its core. This isn't going to reinvent the 3D animation or Seussian-film wheel, but it's nevertheless a very cute and highly entertaining family-friendly adventure that will please younger audiences and keep their parents satisfied with the proficient end result as well. Better, Universal's UHD package is terrific. Bold HDR video, strong-sounding Atmos audio, and a plentiful amount of good all-around supplements are the icing on the cake. Highly recommended for families.
EXTRA SCREENSHOTS:
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