Some movies, after making tons of money and becoming successful, still remain great movies that live up to the hype that surrounded them on their initial release. Then there are others, films that make a lot of money but nobody really understands why. The movies themselves are awful, yet somehow people plunked down cold hard cash to watch them. Such is the case with The Grinch, a live-action version of the classic story that now has been turned into nothing short of an abomination.

The Grinch (Jim Carrey) has always despised Christmas, especially the one that the Whos down in Who-ville celebrate on a yearly basis. After going to a Christmas party that goes terribly awry, he decides on an awful idea; he shall steal all the Who’s Christmas. Through this charade, he learns what Christmas is really all about and his heart (and Jim Carreys bank account) grow three sizes.

Throughout his career, Ron Howard has told many powerful stories, but this sure as heck isn’t one of them. Honestly, it’s hard to see how this could even possibly be a Ron Howard film (aside from Clint Howard’s cameo of course), especially since the entire film is overtaken by a force more powerful than any snowstorm: Jim Carrey. By the time 2000 rolled around, Carrey had his whole schtick down pat, right down to the exact timing of every single one of his jokes. What we get in the Grinch is less of a character and just Carrey in green pajamas; there’s no depth or any sort of characteristics that set him apart from the dozens of similar characters Carrey has played.

So how has this film remained not only remembered, but even beloved? You’ve honestly got me, as it’s pitiful protagonist and convoluted story structure leave it as easily one of the worst Christmas films ever. While the set designs do a good job of recreating the books wondrous drawings, the rest of the movie is the last thing any Dr. Seuss book was: dull and lacking in imagination.