Under a thick carpet of green-dyed yak fur, Jim Carrey is up to all of his old tricks (and some nifty new ones) in this live-action movie of Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic. He commands the title role with equal parts madness, mayhem, pathos, and improvisational genius, channeling Grinchness through his own screen persona so smoothly that fans of both Carrey and Dr. Seuss will be thoroughly satisfied. Adding to the fun is Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen), the thoughtful imp who rallies her village to recapture the pure spirit of Christmas and melts the gift-stealing Grinch’s cold, cold heart. There’s even a dog (the Grinch’s good-natured mongrel, Max) who’s been perfectly cast, so what’s not to like about this dazzling yuletide movie? Ron Howard proves a fine choice for the director’s chair with a keen balance of comedy, sentiment, and light-hearted Seussian whimsy.