The Grinch reviews: What are critics saying about The Grinch movie?

When it was first announced there would be another Grinch movie, not many were pleased.

After the flop that was the 2000 live-action adaptation, another version of the green Christmas-hating creature was always going to be under heavy scrutiny.

The Grinch, voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, premiers in cinemas on Friday, November 9.

Some like to know whether it’s worth heading to the cinemas before taking the risk.

Here is what critics have to say about The Grinch.

On the positive end of the spectrum was Owen Gleiberman of Variety.

Gleiberman wrote: “Cumberbatch, in his droll and tasteful way, respects the grinchiness of the Grinch: that he’s a force of mischievous mayhem who represents something in all of us – the potential to be bad when unhappiness takes over.”

The List’s Matthew Turner gave it four out of five stars.

Turner wrote: “The animated Dr Seuss adaptation retains the magic of the original material.”

Alonso Duralde was similarly positive, writing: “Bright, both in its colour palette and in the wit and liveliness of the storytelling,” for TheWrap.

Screen Rant’s Molly Freeman wrote: ” Cumberbatch is a new Grinch for a new generation, working equally well in the moments of heart as in the more humorous gags.

“And Max, along with the reindeer Fred, are scene-stealers, bringing some pure family fun to The Grinch to go with its heartwarmingly earnest message about holiday togetherness.”

Freeman gave The Grinch three out of five stars (a ‘good’ rating).

Still positive, but less glowing, was Nigel Andrews of the Financial Times.

Andrews said: Exuberant, loudly coloured, schmaltz-soaked at times (you’ll want to the strangle the goody-goody little girl who becomes the Grinch’s adversary) and redeemed – at better times – by the malevolence of The Grinch himself.”

Michael Gingold of Birth Movies Death was underwhelmed by the production, especially in comparison to the 1960s TV series.

Gingold wrote: “While Cumberbatch gives a committed reading of the Grinch’s exasperation, calculation and transformation, he just can’t compare to the immortal tones of Boris Karloff as the original Grinch/narrator.

“The Grinch will no doubt provide a satisfying holiday diversion for family audiences, and little kids will probably dig it, but we older grinches who grew up on that TV version can only hope that someone doesn’t try yet another unnecessary movie 18 years from now.”

You’ll have the chance to decide for yourself soon.

The Grinch is out in cinemas on Friday, November 9, 2018.