The Grinch

Dr Seuss's cult children's favourite How the Grinch Stole Christmas! gets the big-budget Hollywood treatment in this seasonal spectacular from director Ron Howard. Starring an irrepressible and almost unrecognisable Jim Carrey, it's the magical and visually splendid tale of a miserable, green-furred mountain-dweller who's out to wreck the extravagant festive celebrations in the kooky town of Whoville below. A vivacious delight capable of charming the most Scrooge-like viewer, this fantasy frolic is, in the end, such a heart-warmer it deserves to become a genre classic. However, parents should be warned that the often dark humour and Carrey's madcap excesses may be too much for the very young.

"...Mr. Carrey's ability to pentrate his character's disguise and get away with his usual mugging and clowning is technically no small accomplishment..."