Oh, now how could I ever say anything bad about Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas? Well I hate to break it to you, but not even Opie Taylor could save this.

Not that I am saying this was poorly executed. It wasn't. The imagination put into sets, costumes, make-up, little sight gags for extras to perform. Spectacular!

And the problem is not at all in the acting department. Even Jim Carrey who can really over act at times, settled into the role and really played it. Who else could have done this? You could even argue that Taylor Momsen in the role of Little Cindy Lou-Who is the most talented of the bunch.

The problem is that How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a short children's book that has been crammed into a couple of hours. There's just not enough story to sustain a film of this length. After a while, they had to add a bunch of off subject sub-plots like the Mayor wanting to be the center of everything.

There is just one thing about this film that is completely hypocritical. That is the message that Christmas isn't about buying gifts. What a load of hogwash! The film shoves this in your face the entire length of the movie. Meanwhile, the audience is drinking Coke from Grinch souvenir cups. Go to the mall, and it's Grinch this and that everywhere. Even the official web site is trying to hock merchandise. This anti-merchandising film about the real meaning of Christmas never mentions Jesus. I guess Opie grew up and saw the dollar signs.

If you're got kids, they're gonna love this! Me, I'd rather go see Charlie's Angels. It's a more honest movie.