Totally absorbed by the festive spirit, every Who loves the festive season.

But the Grinch (Carrey), who lives alone high above the town on a mountain top, has no cheer whatsoever.

This year, as he watches the Christmas-adoring Whos frantically prepare for the festivities, he decides to do everything in his power to cause trouble and spoil things for the happy people down below.

The furry green monster dons a disguise and heads to Whoville with his canine friend Max, to bring them a bit of his own special Christmas grinching.

While there he encounters Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen) and, trying to frighten her, finds the little girl laughing at him instead of crying.

For Cindy Lou isn't like most kids her age - instead of being excited about Christmas, she finds herself having serious doubts as to why there is one at all.

Believing there must be more meaning to the holiday than just shopping for presents, she decides to find out everything she can about the Grinch: who he is, why he doesn't like Christmas and why he is feared and disliked by every Who.

As her dad, Lou (Bill Irwin), buys the last Christmas gifts, and her mum Betty, (Molly Shannon), is immersed in her battle to beat Martha May Whovier (Christine Baranski) in the Whobilation lighting competition, Cindy finds herself alone.

Her innocent questions turn Whoville upside-down, as anything to do with the Grinch is considered taboo by Mayor May Who (Jeffrey Tambor).

Jim Carrey played a manic character in The Mask and, in many ways, his role here is quite similar, not least because he is again shrouded in green make-up, and accompanied by a canine friend.

Taking its story from Dr Seuss' 1957 classic tale, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, director Ron Howard casts Carrey in the title role, giving his rendition a modern twist.

With colourful costumes and elaborate sets, we are transported to the fantasy world that is Whoville.

Carrey carries the movie from start to finish with his highly physical comedy and amusing one-liners bringing this film to life.

The one thing that does spoil this film is the few (thank God!) occasions when Cindy Lou breaks into Annie-style song.

Dalia Levy