# The Grinch Movie (Spoiler Material Ahead) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 19, 2000, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867 "2000-11-19T19:11:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/41 "2000-12-13T16:12:43Z")
That’s the main plot problem with the movie. The book is all about how these nice people got ready for Christmas, and the Grinch, (just to be a spiteful bastard and avoid the needless suffering he would no doubt have to endure by listening to their singing and joyful celebration), attempts to stop their Christmas by stealing their nice decorations and presents. Then, very simply, the Whos join hands and rejoyce anyway, **since the holiday as never about presents and such to them (as the Grinch had wrongly assumed), but about being together, etc.** Grinch realizes this, has an epiphiny, brings back the stuff, and they have a nice holiday (which they would have had regardless of his change of heart. HE is the character that changes, not the Whos.) In the movie, the Who’s are greedy, commercialized people all caught up in buying and decorating (for competition, not spirit) and the Grinch has to show **THEM** the evil of their ways. **He already knows that commercial Christmas is bogus-** he has all their garbage and sees the evidence of it all the time. To me, that plot change twists the entire story away from it’s original concept too far. Also, the fact that there is all this Grinch merchandise out just in time for Christmas makes me sick. Dr. Suess must be rolling over in his grave for his story to be interpreted so poorly (or rewritten so poorly) AND is being used to make some corporate entity rich. That’s just wrong. And Visa connected with The Grinch? WTF? (Imagine if the same was done for “The Lorax”? Only as a promo after the film, they could give away little plastic Lorax characters perched atop a piece of a protected variety of tree and covered with genuine spotted owl feathers.) Zette ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Sunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/42 "2000-12-13T20:14:50Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Yue Han \* \*\* > [@](#): > > Of course it was like that. Didn’t you see the Visa commercials? > > “Visa–the official credit card of Whoville. Just in case Dr. Seuss was wrong.” > > YES, really, that’s what it said. > > No one should see this movie. It is the epitome of evil. They licensed Whoville _to sell credit cards so you can buy stuff for the godawful commercial version of Christmas Dr. Suess despised._ > \*\* OMG! I haven’t seen that commercial and I hope I don’t! I entirely agree with you and Zette. And supposedly Mrs. Suess has total control of all Suessdom, so she must be the one to have let it happen! ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/43 "2000-12-13T21:10:13Z")
I liked it. Saw it with my two girls (age 6 and 8) and they liked it, too. I laughed out loud quite a bit because of the subtle sarcasms. I would have preferred something less hokey for why the Grinch’s heart was 2 sizes too small, but overall I thought it was a pretty amusing story. It reminded me a bit of Toy Story because there are 2 levels: one for kids and one for adults. (Okay, 3 levels, since I didn’t get the keys in the fishbowl reference.) Though TS and TS2 are better. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/44 "2000-12-14T21:02:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Yue Han \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > Also, major point of contention: In the book/cartoon, the Whos wake up, have no presents or decorations, etc and DON’T CARE! The Grinch is confounded by this. He says, “It came without ribbons…it came without tags…it came without packages, boxes or bags! Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store…maybe Christmas means just a little bit more.” > > In the movie, the Whos wake up with no stuff and chaos ensues! Everyone is angry, yelling at Cindy Lou for ruining Christmas by inviting the Grinch and causing them to lose all their stuff. Then the Grinch brings it all back, and yay! They’re happy again. I’m sorry, but that is completely opposite from the point the book was trying to make. And they still had the audacity to use the “It came without ribbons…” line in the movie. NO, it DIDN’T come without ribbons or tags. You were all whiny little Whos unitl you got your packages, boxes and bags! > > Of course it was like that. Didn’t you see the Visa commercials? > > “Visa–the official credit card of Whoville. Just in case Dr. Seuss was wrong.” > > YES, really, that’s what it said. > > No one should see this movie. It is the epitome of evil. They licensed Whoville _to sell credit cards so you can buy stuff for the godawful commercial version of Christmas Dr. Suess despised._ > > –John \*\* Lessee…I don’t think the film ends like that. I’m pretty sure the Whos sung without presents, the Grinch gave his little speech, THEN he gave the presents back. Just like in the book/cartoon. And Visa doesn’t actually say Dr. Seuss’ name in the commercial, and that saying is near the beginning. (Notice they use “the holidays” instead of “Christmas” in the Visa ad. Is this the TV Political Correctness Police?) ---
**Author:** ![Yue\_Han](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/eada6e/32.png) [@Yue\_Han](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yue_Han)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/45 "2000-12-14T21:14:24Z")
I don’t care how the movie ends, that wasn’t my point. The commercial _does_ say “just in case Dr. Suess was wrong”, and it was the tagline. The fact that you saw a commercial that wasn’t the one I’m talking about doesn’t mean I’m wrong. Besides the Visa ad, there are the twenty to thirty dollar ads they were advertising in the paper the other day. Some very nasty people are trying to use a story about how Christmas shouldn’t be about money to make a lot of money at Christmas. Maybe you don’t see anything wrong with that. –John ---
**Author:** ![Welfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e56c9b/32.png) [@Welfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Welfy)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/46 "2000-12-15T02:33:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andyman \* > > \*\* > > That’s a shame. It’s (of course) written by Theodore Geisel (Dr. Suess), animated by Chuck Jones (think Bugs Bunny), and narrated by Boris Karlov (you better know who HE is, buster!), and it is great. > \*\* Do you mean the original? I was going to jump in and say that it was narrated by Anthony Hopkins (who did an excellent job, by the way), but I see where you’re coming from now. My mistake. ---
**Author:** ![Welfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e56c9b/32.png) [@Welfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Welfy)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/47 "2000-12-15T02:43:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diane \* > \*\*Now I thought **The Grinch** was great, but am I the only one who felt that it could have been a masterpiece had it been directed by Tim Burton with a sound track by Danny Elfman? > > I still felt it was worth my 1 ½ hour wait in line. > \*\* My friends and I thought this exact same thing! The entire time though, Ray and I found quite a few simularities between The Grinch movie and Edward Scissorhands. My other friend even thought it _was_ directed by Tim Burton until we set him straight. Yeah, it was still worth it. ---
**Author:** ![anyorangejuice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@anyorangejuice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyorangejuice)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/48 "2017-12-11T15:55:56Z")
This movie is not only a classic, but iconic. The kids don’t even understand the adult humor. I would know because I have watched this movie as a kid and also an adult. I honestly think your slut shaming of the Grinch is uncalled for. Just because you don’t enjoy sexual humor doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be in the movie. Dr. Seuss LOVED sexual humor and that is reflected throughout his various works, especially in Green Eggs and Ham. You are not the moral police. Thank you and good day. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/49 "2017-12-11T16:06:37Z")
> [@anyorangejuice](#): > > This movie is not only a classic, but iconic. The kids don’t even understand the adult humor. I would know because I have watched this movie as a kid and also an adult. I honestly think your slut shaming of the Grinch is uncalled for. Just because you don’t enjoy sexual humor doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be in the movie. Dr. Seuss LOVED sexual humor and that is reflected throughout his various works, especially in Green Eggs and Ham. You are not the moral police. Thank you and good day. The poster you’re addressing hasn’t been here since February, and you’re attacking opinions espoused literally 17 years ago. You apparently just joined us to share that? [Xkcd was right](https://xkcd.com/386/). ---
**Author:** ![anyorangejuice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@anyorangejuice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyorangejuice)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/50 "2017-12-11T16:24:25Z")
Yes. In all honesty I just made an account this morning for the sole purpose of replying to something from 17 years ago. I was three years old in 2000. I apologize for not being able to quote you in this post. I do not understand how this site works as it is not very user friendly. The sun is bright and the powder’s bitchin. Good day. ---
**Author:** ![Etherthewitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Etherthewitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Etherthewitch)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/51 "2017-12-11T16:28:10Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > The poster you’re addressing hasn’t been here since February, and you’re attacking opinions espoused literally 17 years ago. You apparently just joined us to share that? [Xkcd was right](https://xkcd.com/386/). I think anyorangejuice made a good point ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/52 "2017-12-11T16:32:46Z")
> [@Etherthewitch](#): > > I think anyorangejuice made a good point I, for one, never expected to at any point in my life see someone being called out for slut-shaming the Grinch. ---
**Author:** ![bear\_breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@bear\_breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bear_breakfast)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/53 "2017-12-11T16:35:50Z")
> [@anyorangejuice](#): > > This movie is not only a classic, but iconic. The kids don’t even understand the adult humor. I would know because I have watched this movie as a kid and also an adult. I honestly think your slut shaming of the Grinch is uncalled for. Just because you don’t enjoy sexual humor doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be in the movie. Dr. Seuss LOVED sexual humor and that is reflected throughout his various works, especially in Green Eggs and Ham. You are not the moral police. Thank you and good day. I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with you Anyorangejuice. The Grinch was a very poorly made film from an innocent book made by a beloved children’s writer Theodor Seuss Geisel. There are overt themes of bestiality, kleptomania, alcoholism, unholy & premarital relations. This movie is one that should NOT be shown to children or it will lead them down a dark, dark path. I will pray for you Anyorangejuice… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/54 "2017-12-11T20:00:42Z")
> [@anyorangejuice](#): > > Yes. In all honesty I just made an account this morning for the sole purpose of replying to something from 17 years ago. I was three years old in 2000. > > I apologize for not being able to quote you in this post. I do not understand how this site works as it is not very user friendly. > > The sun is bright and the powder’s bitchin. > > Good day. Just click the Quote button at the bottom right of the particular post. Yes, it’s hard, I know. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/55 "2017-12-11T20:03:30Z")
> [@anyorangejuice](#): > > I was three years old in 2000. Given that, and without removing your shoes; how old are you today? ---
**Author:** ![anyorangejuice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@anyorangejuice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyorangejuice)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/56 "2017-12-11T20:12:23Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Just click the Quote button at the bottom right of the particular post. Yes, it’s hard, I know. You are very kind. I hope you have a bitchin’ day! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![anyorangejuice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@anyorangejuice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyorangejuice)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/57 "2017-12-11T20:13:36Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Given that, and without removing your shoes; how old are you today? I am 25 ---
**Author:** ![anyorangejuice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@anyorangejuice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyorangejuice)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/58 "2017-12-11T20:14:50Z")
Is there a mobile app for this ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/59 "2017-12-11T20:15:15Z")
Aha. ---
**Author:** ![anyorangejuice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@anyorangejuice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyorangejuice)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867/60 "2017-12-11T20:17:57Z")
I bet you guys all miss Internet Explorer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grinch-movie-spoiler-material-ahead/41867.md?page=4)