It's a Mean One, Dr. Seuss' "The Grinch"

As he plots and plans how to steal Christmas, the grumpy ol' Grinch starts researching the holiday, gathering the necessary tools and constructing his Grinchy tech. But this process reminds him of something unexpected: the youthful loneliness that drove him to his mountain hidey-hole so many years before.

The film makes it clear that being alone and being friendless is a very sad state indeed. Conversely, it applauds loving friends and family members, showing us exactly what those types of gentle relationships—and the people who pursue them—might look like in action.

Cindy Lou Who is one such praiseworthy individual. When someone points out that this young girl has made unselfish choices to help her friends, she replies matter-of-factly, "I did it because you're my friends. And when something matters to you, it matters to me." Her selflessness gets her buddies' attention, and one says, "That's beautiful."

Cindy also tends to think more about her loving mom than about getting gifts for herself. She endeavors to talk with Santa Claus on Christmas Eve (who is really the Grinch, of course), because she hopes he'll do something special for her mother, Donna.

Later, when it looks as if the Grinch has stolen away everything for Whoville's Christmas celebration, Cindy Lou laments her talk with the wily Santa-suited interloper. But Donna assures her daughter that gifts are unnecessary, because Cindy is indeed her greatest gift. Donna also points out that no one can "steal" Christmas, because Christmas is inside us all. In fact, the whole town of Whoville reflects an attitude of contentment and ongoing Christmas joy, even without the "stuff" of the holiday.

In the end, the townsfolk graciously welcome the Grinch into their midst when he admits his wrongdoing and apologizes for his thievery. This act of friendship and kindness transforms him. "It wasn't Christmas I hated," he states with wonder, "It was being alone." The townspeople's choices and attitudes even cause the Grinch's heart to grow three times its normal size. He ultimately toasts his new friends, saying thoughtfully, "To kindness and love, the things we need most."

As mentioned above, there is a through line in the film about Christmas being more about our spirit than receiving gifts. But the film also subtly points to the holiday's real meaning, the celebration of Christ's birth, through some of the Christmas carols that many in Whoville sing. Nearly the whole town joyfully sings "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," and a smaller gathering of friends and family intone "O Holy Night." Cindy Lou tells the Grinch that sometimes when she just closes her eyes and listens to people singing Christmas songs, "all your sadness goes away."

The Grinch devises a reindeer mating call in an attempt to lure reindeer to pull his fake Santa sled.

At one point, a boy has all his clothes accidentally snatched off—leaving him with nothing but a strategically placed cookie for covering.

There are some slapstick tumbles and thumps in the story mix, of course, usually focusing on the Grinch as he bashes into rocks and trees, runs from a snapping dog and crashes his Santa sled. But there's never anything truly perilous or dangerous. The Grinch also pelts kids with snowballs and pushes them down in the snow.

Characters spout mild exclamations such as "geez," "holy moly" and "What the heck?"

After a guy takes a bite of cake and spots a sleigh and reindeer rushing by his window, he quips, "Man, I don't know what's in this cake. But I think I just saw Santa Claus."

The Grinch teases kids, knocking over a snowman. He also steals a great many gifts and decoration, as well as cheating while playing chess with his dog.

Spoiler Warning: A certain holiday is stolen.

Yeah, yeah, we all know the story. And we've probably seen, read or heard Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas in one form or another myriad times. In fact, I'd venture that even the tiniest Cindy Lou Whos in our families probably know that tale by heart.

There are, of course, some who will look at this newest version and grinchily grouse with grumbling gall about everything from its rejiggered rhyming narration to its padded storyline to the fact that the original version of the tune "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" doesn't even show up in the film. Some old-school greenies might even growl, "The Grinch doesn't sound a bit like Boris Karloff!" as they pick at their gnarled teeth and glower.

All of that, however, is moot, 'cause the Grinch's newest animated movie is here, and your little kids will likely want to see it.

Oh, and Mom, Dad, if your instant fear is that Hollywood is remaking one more classic into yet another toilet-humor rampage or disgruntled social-protest platform, well, worry not: This version of the Grinch's tale is well made, as clean as a crisp snow on a Sunday morning. It's honeyed with uplifting messages about the importance of friendship and family. And perhaps most surprisingly, it even musically links the birth of the baby Jesus to the Christmas festivities and soaring spirits in Whoville. (That alone was a very pleasant gift nestled amid the cinematic twinkle and tinsel.)

Yep. Dr. Seuss' The Grinch is nice. It's sweet. And parents will enjoy it, too.