The latest version of The Grinch is a beautifully animated story from Illumination, which means that the kids will also be treated to a short film with The Minions before the main feature. The story does not stray from the original too much, so you know that everyone should understand by the end that Christmas is about spending time with loved ones as much as it is about presents and decorations.

Visually there is an awful lot to like. The characterisation and animation are pretty close to perfect for the story. The Grinch and his dog Max look great. Whilst the Grinch’s feats of engineering towards the end of the film to enable his stealing of Christmas are really ingenious. Benedict Cumberbatch also gives the Grinch a dismissive tone that suits him down to the ground.

Unfortunately that is where its imagination runs out though. It is very much a safe Christmas film aimed at the younger audience. And of course, that is absolutely fine, it achieves what it sets out to. I would have liked to have seen or heard some slightly more mean and dark comments from The Grinch though like we saw in Jim Carrey’s iteration. But perhaps that is just The Grinch in me talking.