Customer Reviews

How the Grinch Stole Christmas/Horton Hears a Who [VHS]

5 star:		(98)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Forget the hideously overblown film version -- if you want the real thing, buy this double treat and enjoy the Grinch's story the way it was intended to be seen. Boris Karloff's voice lends this wonderfully inspiring story a hint of real menace, and the animation, spare and imaginative, creates an oddly familiar world that is both melancholy and Christmasey -- the perfect combo. The songs have become holiday traditions. The story of the Grinch is as much a mystery of faith and joy as it is an entertaining comedy. You will get the additional family treat of Horton Hears A Who, also an inspiring tale that explores the value of life itself. Dr. Seuss' brilliance with conceptual family entertainment is on clear display in both of these classic stories; you will not be disappointed. Merry Christmas.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas cartoons, I loved it when I was little and I still love it so I bought this DVD and the cartoon is as good as ever except for that fact that for most of the cartoon the Grinch is the wrong color, he starts off with a mustardy yellow color and stays that way for a long time before changing to the correct light yellowish green (pea green color). Someone really goofed that up! If you watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas on the video version or even on TV the Grinch is light yellow-Green so why is he the color of Gulden's Mustard on the DVD? I know it is true that The Grinch was never dark green like depicted on the cover but I do know that he was never the color of Guldens Mustard and was more like a yellowish green, or lime green! BTW: On this DVD there is also a cartoon called Horton Hears a Who which is also based on a Dr. Seuss book. I have read some reviews that claim that they have fixed the color flaws on newer DVDs but I really don't know if those claims are true or not. If I knew for sure that new DVD's have the corrected color of the GrinchI would buy it

The Grinch, who lives just north of Whoville, is tired of listening to their Christmas celebration each year. But this year, he's going to do something about it. Disguising himself as Santa, he sneaks down into the town to take everything Christmassy, and everything else, from them. But will that stop Christmas from coming? Is he beyond enjoying the season himself?

What can I say; this is a great holiday special. There were only a handful I had to watch every year growing up, and this is one of them. That's extended to my adult Decembers as well. It keeps the story simple, not trying to expand it needlessly like the recent live action movie did. And the songs add to the fun, especially "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." That song alone is worth watching the special for.

This DVD is a great way to own this classic. The picture and sound are good. I can't really tell that much difference in how the Grinch is supposed to look, and to me this is a minor issue anyway. The extras are a mixed bag. The audio commentary isn't that great because it's obvious that they really don't have that much to say. However, the special about the making of the cartoon and the separate interview about writing the songs are both interesting.

This disc also includes another cartoon from a Dr. Seuss book, HORTON HEARS A WHO. I had never seen this special before I bought the disc, but I'm not a fan of it. Not sure why because I like the book. Maybe if I'd seen it as a kid I'd feel differently.

Ultimately, the reason to get this DVD is the classic Christmas special that headlines the disc. Watching it always brings the warm fuzzies of Christmas past for a visit. You can't go wrong getting it.

Over the past few days, I've gotten into the Christmas spirit (already; as of this review, it's only mid-November), so I figured I'd review one of my favorite holiday memories now available on DVD.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is undeniably my favorite animated Christmas special. A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph and Frosty are great, of course, but the Grinch is the cream of the crop. Wonderful narration by Boris Karloff, immaculate animation and that special "Christmas vibe" you get when you're watching or listening to something really special; what's not to like? This is an essential piece of holiday history for your collection.

There's nothing I can really say to make you buy this disc; you've seen it by now and chances are, unless you're the Grinch himself, you absolutely adore it. What I can say is that this particular DVD makes an already perfect Christmas special even better. Not only do you get a few wonderful features that deal with the making of the the Grinch and a few fun games for the kids, but also "Horton Hears a Who," another wonderful cartoon made by animation genius, Chuck Jones.

The review written by Amazon.com summed it up perfectly with just one sentence - this is one of the best Christmas gifts you can get for YOURSELF.

I love this video because its funny and the Grinch has a funny smile.He was very mean because he had a small heart like a strawberry. I watch this a lot and with my friends.I feel bad for the Grinchs dog because he doesnt want to be mean. I would like to visit Whoville oneday and visit the Grinch.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is a timeless tale of tolerance, discised as a fantasy. It's the perfect way to put your Little Cindy Lou Who to bed on Christmas Eve, or any night of the year. "Hurton Hears A Who" is another delightful story, which will be especially popular with animal lovers. The animated adaptations of these two stories are a "hatful" of fun! Here's more on each of the shorts, because a person is a person is a person is a person no matter how small, and you deserve some good protect information.

"HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS" is the story of the rotten-hearted Grinch, who, well, tries to steal Christmas! But he learns his lesson eventually, as everyone does--it's not about THINGS. It's about holiday spirit and being together. The anamation is as lighthearted as the pictures in the Dr. Suess picturebook, and the words are almost the same as the ones in the book. This one is sure to please, and will make a nifty stocking stuffer. But it's be even niftier when paired with....

"HURTON HEARS A WHO" is a very cute adaptation of another Suess offering, taking place in two completly different worlds about to collide. Hurton the Elephent finds a tiny part of a flower, which contains a whole different world. Hurton makes contact with a scientist in this second world, and learns how different the worlds are. But because a person is a person no matter how small, Hurton decides to help his newfound friend. The one major problem here is that NO ONE BELIEVES EITHER HURTON OR HIS FRIEND. What will happen next???? This one will keep kids in suspense, but I like the former of the cartoons better.

To end--The Grinch is a mean one, and your kids will think YOU'RE mean if you don't stuff their stocking with this. It's collectively a perfect video, and kids will be excited to hear that the soundtracks to both films appear unabriged on a single CD. A very special video release sure to satisfy the ones who aren't getting a lump of coal this year....

If you compare the colors of scenes from How The Grinch Stole Christmas with the exact same scene in the TNT special on the same DVD, you will notice a definite difference. The one has a Grinch that is mustard while the other has a Grinch that is definitely green. How anyone can say that the one Mustard Grinch is normal needs to check out the color of the Grinch in the TNT special.

Over the years, this became the one cartoon I always waited to see shown on one of the major networks come holiday time. No matter how many times I'd seen it, I would still watch as if it was the first. I'd pity the poor little dog/reluctant 'reindeer' (Max) having to pull the demanding Grinch up the hill with all of his goods, Laugh Out Loud at the lyrics in songs like "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" ("I wouldn't touch you with a 39 1/2 foot pole"?!, etc.), and smile when Cindy Lou woke up and got a glass of water and a pat on the head from the wrinkle-faced green "Santey Claus". Hearing the song that the Whovilles sing ("dahoo, doray, dahoo, doray???" :o) )always made me feel like Christmas had finally arrived again. If I missed seeing the show one year, I always felt I missed a little of that special Christmas magic. Now, in the age of VCRs and DVDs, there's no excuse not to see it! Watch the Grinch's heart grow three sizes, watch him take his place at the table to carve the Roast Beast, and let your own heart be warmed by its heartfelt sweetness. The songs are adorable, clever, and fun(ny), and the whole production is snugly wrapped in holiday cheer: the animation, the voices, the songs, the story....all the elements are here for an enduring classic!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas is an awesome Christmas cartoon and Horton is good too though not as good as The Grinch. If you haven't bought this DVD yet beware of defective DVDs, especially if you are buying it used. beware of discs in which the Grinch is the wrong color and is a mustard brown instead of a light pea green color. The correct color of The Grinch is similar to the color of Kermit The Frog and should not be brown.

The original special of How the Grinch Stole Christmas was aired on December 18, 1966, 9 years after Dr. Seuss' famous book. If features co-production by Dr. Seuss and Looney Tunes animator Chuck Jones (who directed it), music by Albert Hague, Eugene Poddany, voice talents of Frankenstein star Boris Karloff as narrator and the voice of the Grinch, June Foray (known as Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Bullwinkle's pal) as Cindy Lou Who and Thurl Ravenscroft (known as the voice of Tony the Tiger- "They're GRRRRRRRRRRRREAT!") who sings "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."

Here's a short little book report for those of you who haven't seen it yet- the Grinch gets tired of the Who's enjoying Christmas and decides to take away all their Christmas joy. So with his dog, Max, he comes down from his hill while the Who's are all sleeping. Disguised as Santa Claus, the Grinch steals all their stuff for the Christmas celebration, in hopes that will stop Christmas from coming. Will it? 5 stars

Also included is Horton Hears a Who, a lesser known special which dates back to 1970. Horton was also co-directed by Dr. Seuss and Chuck Jones. Although not quite as good as The Grinch (no, not the live action movie of 2000!), it's fun and quirky and teaches the lesson of valuing all people- "because, after all, a person's a person no matter how small!" Horton the Elephant tries hard to relay this message to a snooty kangaroo and the 3 ornery Wickersham brothers. To answer the question one reviewer asked "Wasn't this released by Warner Brothers in a short cartoon?" No, it wasn't. That cartoon he's probably thinking of is Horton Hatches the Egg. 4 and 1/2 stars for Horton Hears a Who.

Extras include pencil tests by Chuck Jones (2 stars, only worth seeing once!), commentary on the Grinch by animator Phil Roman and June Foray (2 and 1/2 stars, Roman speaks on who's who in animation and Foray speaks on what an honor it was to have only one line in the special and neither of them can even remember what year it came out!), interviews with Hague and Ravenscroft (3 stars) and saving the best extra for last, a 1994 TNT special about How the Grinch Stole Christmas, with interviews by all involved, including an old interview with the late great Dr. Seuss and many from Audrey Geisel, the widow of Dr. Seuss, hosted by the late great Phil Hartman, Saturday Night Live comedian (5 stars).

If you haven't seen the original 1/2 hour animated special by now, by all means see it next time it's on TV. Of buy this classic on DVD!