Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas 4K Ultra HD

"How The Grinch Stole Christmas" is Dr. Seuss' creation, and it comes to life with Anthony Hopkin's narration. It's a tale of town filled with folks known as Whos, who have quirky Who snouts, and rather large Who shoes. No Who could be cheerier than around Christmas time, when Whoville is decorated absolutely sublime. But high above Whoville on a mountain top, lived the Grinch who wanted to have Christmas stop. Now the Grinch is not heartless, but his heart is too teeny, so he's a grouchy cheer-monger, Who-hating meanie. But there's one Who in Whoville, named Cindy Lou Who, who can save all of Whoville, and that nasty Grinch too. Whoville is sure to have a Christmas that's Merry, and yes, in that Grinch suit, is the one-and-only Jim Carrey. (Suzanne Hodges)

Special features include commentary with Director Ron Howard; six featurettes: "5 Years Later: The Gift of THE GRINCH (NEW)" (HD 34:36), "Spotlight On Location" (HD 07:16), "Who School " (HD 05:43), "Makeup Application And Design" (HD 06:57), "Seussian Set Decoration" (HD 05:15) and "Visual Effects" (HD 0:50); deleted scenes (HD 09:26); outtakes (HD 03:16); music video: Faith Hill “Where Are You Christmas?” (HD 04:13); theatrical trailer and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 1.85:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10/Dolby Vision picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally in anamorphic Panavision® using the Sony CineAlta Venice 6K camera system and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. The setting is Whoville. And what a wonderfully colorful mountainous village it is. The color palette is a kaleidoscope of saturated warm and rich hues. Numerous hues are prominent such as the green Grinch and the reds and greens of the Whos. Colors often pop. HDR contrast is superb. Black levels are deep. Shadows are well delineated. Whit levels are well illuminated,The production design is elaborate with wonderful sets that reflect the Christmas spirit. The Grinch cave is a wonderland of mechanical machines and objects. Facial features are natural for a Who and the Grinch. Facial lines and hair are well defined. Makeup is i incredibly detailed, even the Grinch's eyelashes and hairy body and the mayor's eyebrows and hairdo. Set dressings are fabulous and very creative. Whoville is a visual wonderland. Objects are nicely detailed as well as the snow coverings and falling. And of course, Max the dog is, well, a dog with well defined fir. The visual effects are wonderful. This is a sharp and vivid picture that will thrill fans of this classic. (Gary Reber)

The repurposed Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with lots of sound effects that support the seemingly endless antics, especially that of Jim Carrie. Sound effects range from all manner of noise effects to explosions. Bass energy is energized with the more intense sound effects, often engaging the .1 LFE channel. Atmospherics, as such, are limited as sound effects, produced on sets, are the prominent sound element. James Horner's orchestra/choral score is wonderful and occupies a wide and deep soundstage that aggressively extends to the surrounds for a fully enveloping sound field. Dialogue is intelligible and generally well integrated spatially. Anthony Hopkins narration is nicely positioned forward.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of an aggressive extension of the music to the height layer along with occasional atmospherics such as howling wind. Though the music provides a solid height layer treatment and enhances sound field dimensionality, more treatment could have been achieved.

This is a really fun holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack that is full of humor, incredible sound effects, and music that will bring lots of smile and laughter. (Gary Reber)