The Grinch

[Rosebud]

I finally saw a trailor for the live-action version of Dr. Seuss's Grinch, starring Jim Carey. It's due out this Thanksgiving, and I have to admit I've been eagerly awaiting its release.

In My Humble Opinion, it's either going to absolutely rock, or suck big time. I can't decide which yet, but I don't think there's any middle ground possible when you've got Jim Carey covered in green fur.

Anybody else seen the trailor? Have any thoughts on this one? Think it can it work as a live-action film?

[capybara]

Jim Carrey? As the Grinch? Sigh. I hadn't heard about this.
Why? Why do they need to do this?
It just sounds so. . . so wrong.
I'm going to go curl up in the closet now.

[Rosebud]

To give a little background to those who haven't heard of this little cinematic gem (I'll claim sarcasm if it turns out to blow chunks), please visit this site. I haven't browsed the whole thing, but it's the official movie site and has the trailer.

[capybara]

Something odd happened to your link.
Where is the Gamera line from. It's terribly funny.

[Rosebud]

As far as I can tell, I used the correct vb code... but I could be missing something, so rather than mess it up again, it's http://www.meanone.com

The Gamera line is from the Mystery Science Theater 3000 version of "Gamera vs. Zigra," if I'm reading the faded label of my many-years-old tape correctly.

[Smeghead]

Has anyone heard who they finally got to narrate? Last I heard, Busta Rhymes was the front runner, which I think would be interesting, and take the movie even farther from any middle ground.

[funneefarmer]

I saw the trailer and it looks like it could be fantastic. You're right in thinking it could bomb as well. I've always been a big Grinch fan, how could you not like the little dog with the antler ?

[Rosebud]

Serves me right, not checking my e-mail first thing in the morning! Nice to see some answers to the thread

Anyway, aside from the "no middle ground" idea I mentioned before, I also think this movie might be extremely scary for small children. Check the last scene of the trailer- never has the Grinch looked so demonic! Last time I checked it still hadn't been rated, but I'm curious as to what rating it'll receive. It can't be "G," it just wouldn't be much fun that way.

Smeghead, I don't know about the narrator, but I like Busta Rhymes. That would indeed be interesting.

[Babar714]

I, too, have seen the trailor. Several times, in fact. And I am also eagerly awaiting the film. It is directed by Ron Howard, who has quickly become one of Hollywood's best directors. The style of the film is taken right from the pages of the book. I forsee it will become a holiday classic in manyhomes. I only hope the Grinch's dog is in it.

[Shirley Ujest]

Farmer, the little dog with the antlers, is named Max.

[Medea's Child]

We are ignoring the most important question... Who will be playing Cindy Lou Who, who was not more than two?

I will have to see it, just to see. I love Dr. Suess, and his Christmas story, but I hate Jim Carrey. One of these opinions will have to give out in this case.

[Markxxx]

The problem is the Grinch is a true classic. It's so hard to make a decent remake of a classic. Like the Wizard of Oz or It's A Wonderful Life. The originals are just too good and too identifiable with the product.

[Rosebud]

Medea's Child-- the girl who appears to be Cindy Lou Who looks nothing like a Who, but perhaps I'm expecting too much Seriously though, she's clearly a bigger kid. Probably easier to work with but I wonder how it will affect the story.

I'm just waiting to see what real roast beast looks like...

[Micro Furry]

The problem is the Grinch is a true classic. It's so hard to make a decent remake of a classic. Like the Wizard of Oz or It's A Wonderful Life. The originals are just too good and too identifiable with the product.

I beg to differ with Wizard of Oz... Return to Oz was a much better movie. Much truer to the spirit of the books, darker rather than artificially lightened, and Dorothy was actually played by a child rather than by an eighteen-year old with her boobs taped down! Besides, the music in Return was much better than in Wizard, and there was no spontaneous singing!

As for the Grinch... this is a dilemma. I think Jim Carrey is a truly great actor and comedian, and anyone who disagrees, go watch In Living Color sometime. HOWEVER, virtually all the movies he has been in have blown major chunks, except The Truman Show. It's like he doesn't know how to pick a good plot. (Hasn't stopped him from becoming rich, but...)

And remakes can be good movies in their own right, sometimes surpassing the originals. Witness the examples of The Mummy or Gone In 60 Seconds.

[Edwardina]

I beg to differ with Wizard of Oz... Return to Oz was a much better movie. Much truer to the spirit of the books, darker rather than artificially lightened, and Dorothy was actually played by a child rather than by an eighteen-year old with her boobs taped down! Besides, the music in Return was much better than in Wizard, and there was no spontaneous singing!

As for the Grinch... this is a dilemma. I think Jim Carrey is a truly great actor and comedian, and anyone who disagrees, go watch In Living Color sometime. HOWEVER, virtually all the movies he has been in have blown major chunks, except The Truman Show. It's like he doesn't know how to pick a good plot. (Hasn't stopped him from becoming rich, but...)

And remakes can be good movies in their own right, sometimes surpassing the originals. Witness the examples of The Mummy or Gone In 60 Seconds.

I hadn't realized Gone In 60 Seconds was a remake. I just saw it this weekend and it was better than I expected. But I think overall, Gone In 60 Seconds and The Mummy are both exceptions, rather than the rule.

The only thing I have to contribute at this point on the topic of The Grinch is that I saw the preview and it made my skin crawl. *shudder* Creepy. Why do they do these things? I think we all know why: money.

I am much more looking forward to the movie version of the Harry Potter books, which will be entirely new in the visual medium.