How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" utilizes the same master as its previous iteration but re-encoded with an AVC codec at a slightly higher bitrate. While not a significant upgrade, the disc maintains the high quality of the original, featuring rock-solid image detail and vibrant colors without any noticeable compression artifacts. Fine grain is present, indicating minimal digital noise reduction (DNR) was applied, ensuring the nostalgic 60s animation patina remains intact. Despite some visible noise during certain scenes, such as the ornament falling from Cindy's tree, black levels are exemplary and inky throughout the feature.

The transfer for all three included specials— "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Halloween is Grinch Night," and "The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat"—offers vivid primaries and excellent contrast in a 1080p AVC encoded 1.33:1 aspect ratio. Chuck Jones' art is beautifully showcased with solid lines and deep color fills. Although fans may be disappointed by the absence of a 4K restoration, this collection is a notable improvement over DVD versions. "Halloween is Grinch Night" particularly impresses with its bright primaries and strong contrast, though the varying hues of the Grinch's green skin across features—oscillating between muddy green and chartreuse—may raise questions regarding authentic color representation. Max the dog remains a consistent warm light brown.

Contrastingly, "The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat" presents a more muted visual experience with washed-out colors and lackluster contrast in Grinch scenes, although the Cat in the Hat benefits from better-defined bright primaries and solid black levels. Over-saturation appears sporadically, evoking an overly layered, dense visual look. Despite some dirt and specs, this Blu-ray compilation retains the charm of these classics while delivering a distinctive throwback feel to 60s and 70s animation styles.

The audio presentation of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" on Blu-ray remains unremarkably identical to previous releases, utilizing a creaky Dolby Digital 2.0 mono mix. The mix itself suffers from noticeable hiss and muffled dialogue, indicating no substantial improvement over DVD quality. While Boris Karloff’s iconic narration is intelligible, the brassy tone at medium volume levels necessitates frequent remote adjustments to manage balance. Music presence is inconsistent, further giving the impression of outdated VHS quality. Despite these issues, die-hard purists might appreciate the degree of originality retained in the sound.

The accompanying specials, "Halloween is Grinch Night" and "The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat," also feature DD 2.0 mono tracks. "Halloween is Grinch Night" showcases clearer audio with plenty of room for musical numbers and narration but occasionally displays muffled tones. Conversely, "The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat" presents a relatively cleaner and crisper audio experience, with dialogue consistently clear even amidst the characters' enigmatic speech. Some sync issues are apparent, though distortion is minimal. In conclusion, Warner Bros.’s use of compressed audio for this 2018 Blu-ray release feels lackluster and insufficient for modern high-definition standards.

The Blu-ray edition of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Ultimate Edition" retains the comprehensive suite of extras from the 2009 release. The collection includes insightful commentary, retrospective featurettes, and unique offerings such as a special hosted by Phil Hartman and original pencil tests. Each extra deepens the appreciation of this timeless holiday classic, presenting a blend of nostalgic interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and historical context. While some content might feel dated, it remains valuable for fans and historians alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Animator Phil Roman and voice artist June Foray share production anecdotes and reflections on the TV special's legacy.
• Dr. Seuss and the Grinch: From Whoville to Hollywood: An EPK featurette exploring Dr. Seuss's inspirations and artwork.
• Songs in the Key of Grinch: Interviews with composer Albert Hague and vocalist Thurl Ravenscroft.
• Who’s Who in Whoville: Text biographies of key contributors.
• Grinch Song Selections: Four musical segments from the special.
• TNT’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas: A 1994 TNT special hosted by Phil Hartman.
• Grinch Pencil Test: Three storyboards from the TV special.

The Blu-ray release of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" by Warner Bros. includes an array of features and two additional specials, "Halloween is Grinch Night" (1977) and "The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat" (1982), both making their Blu-ray debut with full restorations. These additions enhance the collection, offering vivid visuals and distinctive audio. The primary feature remains unchanged from previous editions. The iconic 1966 classic, co-directed by Chuck Jones and Ben Washam, continues to captivate audiences with its impeccable adaptation of Dr. Seuss's beloved story. Boris Karloff’s narration complemented by Thurl Ravenscroft's unforgettable song reinforces this special as an enduring masterpiece in animation, brilliantly capturing the essence of Seuss’s whimsical character design and narrative charm.

"Halloween is Grinch Night" picks up 11 years later, presenting a more somber tale with unique Seussian twists. Despite its lesser-known status, this Emmy-winning piece introduces a darker, muted palette that effectively conveys the eerie atmosphere, coupled with Joe Raposo's dramatic musical score. However, the narrative does lack the smooth lyrical flow typical of Seuss’s other works but provides memorable, if somewhat nightmarish, visuals that justify revisiting this forgotten adventure.

"The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat" diverges significantly from its predecessors by crossing over with another famous Seuss character. Set away from the familiar Whoville, this special sees The Grinch targeting the Cat in the Hat in a sequence resembling a zany Saturday morning cartoon. Despite strong musical efforts from Raposo and faithful voice work, the stripped-down animation and incongruent setting diminish its impact. The whimsical narrative edges on overcomplicated, requiring a devoted Seuss fan to fully appreciate the psychedelic touches. Nonetheless, the commitment to extending the Grinch’s legacy, even if less successfully than the original special, offers an intriguing addition to this collection.

The latest Blu-ray release of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" brings back the beloved holiday classic with two newly restored, lesser-known Grinch specials. Although the 1080p transfer is slightly dated, it maintains a serviceable quality that ensures a pleasant viewing experience. The Dolby Digital Audio presentation similarly holds up, though it doesn't offer any groundbreaking improvements over previous editions.

Warner Brothers' Ultimate Edition Blu-ray provides a solid option for both first-time buyers and dedicated fans of the Grinch. While the A/V presentation and bonus features remain largely carried over from earlier DVD releases, the inclusion of the additional Grinch specials adds value to the package. However, it should be noted that these extras, while enjoyable, do not quite capture the timeless charm and permanence of the original cartoon.

Far from an "Ultimate Edition" of its main feature, WB's latest Blu-ray of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" at least resurrects two long-lost Grinch specials with new restorations to boot. Beyond that, it's basically the same disc as before with a dated (but serviceable) 1080p transfer, Dolby Digital Audio, and a handful of recycled bonus features from the DVD era. A tough one to recommend on principle, but cheap enough for an impulse buy.