As I stood in line for popcorn at the movie theater, I could not help but feel like the Grinch. I was cranky and impatient. The lines were long and were taking forever. I was super negative thinking that my daughter was going to act out at her first movie in the theaters. But like the Grinch, my heart grew three times plus two after seeing the movie.

“The Grinch” 2018 edition hit the screens on Nov. 9 and has made $180 million at the box office. It stars one of my favorite actors, Benedict Cumberbatch as the Grinch, Cameron Sealy as Cindy Lou, Rashida Jones as Donna Who (Cindy Lou’s mom) and Pharrell Williams as the narrator. Kenan Thompson’s voice also makes an appearance as the happiest Who in Whoville, Mr. Bricklebaum. Cumberbatch is famous for his role in “Sherlock.” Sealy is known for her role as Helen Barnum in “The Greatest Showman.” Jones is famous for her roles as Ann Perkins in “Parks and Rec” and Karen in “The Office.”

The soundtrack was filled with modern artists along with the classics. Tyler the Creator, Pharrell Williams and Brock Hampton are featured in new songs written specifically for the movie, along with classic Christmas tunes from Pentatonix, The Supremes and Nat King Cole.

The one hour and 30-minute-long movie was a perfect first movie for my 3-year-old daughter. She laughed, screamed and asked many questions as the movie paced quickly. She has not stopped talking about the green Grinch or his friendly dog, Max, since we left the theater. Along with my daughter, I enjoyed the new character that was introduced: Fred the overweight, devoted reindeer.

There were not many negative aspects of the movie. The graphics were well done by Illumination, creators of the “Despicable Me” series and “The Secret Life of Pets;” the voices matched the characters well and the plot carried on smoothly. Many were upset with some of the different plot decisions that the writers used, such as the addition of Fred or Cindy Lou having a different motive to see Santa, but I enjoyed the fresh ideas. What I did not like was how Cumberbatch used an American accent instead of his British accent. This was a decision that Cumberbatch made because the rest of the characters had American accents. I was bummed out about this decision simply because his accent is what makes Cumberbatch, Cumberbatch.  

Everyone who has read or seen a rendition of “The Grinch” knows there is a moral to the story. What the 2018 edition does is modernizes the lesson and helps the audience realize issues that families are dealing with today. Cindy Lou is perfectly adorable, along with her “crew” of buddies: Groopert, Ozzy, Axl and Izzy.

Overall, “The Grinch” was a simple enjoyable movie that children and “Grinch” fans will enjoy. Just do not go in thinking it is going to be exactly like the original. There are some unique spins on the plot, that in my opinion, made it more exciting. The movie had me singing, “Welcome, Christmas! Dah who dahmus! Christmas Day will always be! Just as long as we have we!”