A movie like The Mean One could have been fun in a so intentionally bad way it’s actually enjoyable. I think of the 1990s slasher horror Jack Frost that was so absurd in its delivery, you can watch it for its sloppiness and over-the-top production.
However, The Mean One tries and fails on many levels to be like Jack Frost but without the campy charm. Now Winnie the Pooh and Piglet have become killers in slashers with Mickey Mouse and Bambi set to be homicidal maniacs. Some things might seem great on paper, but lose their luster when you see them in real life the paraphrase a line from another Christmas classic. The movie opens with a scene similar to the Dr. Seuss classic where little Cindy meets the Grinch dressed up as Santa Claus. Yet, because of his appearance, Cindy’s mother intervenes and a scuffle ensues. Cindy’s mother is killed by accident and Cindy calls the Grinch a monster.
Twenty years later, Cindy (Krystle Martin) returns to Newville to spend the holidays with her father, Lou (Flip Kobler, who also doubles as one of the screenwriters.) Anyway, they discover that Newville no long goes all out with the Christmas cheer and even driving around with antlers on cars are illegal. Cindy becomes smitten with a young officer, Burke (Chase Mullins), who believes something is amiss when Lou is killed by by the Grinch. However, despite legal reasons, it’s never referred to as the Grinch but The Mean One played by David Howard Thornton, who also played Art the Clown.
Yet, even though Thornton seemed to have some fun with that character, his face is hidden behind a sloppy looking mask and make-up. And there’s nothing to the story. The Mean One kills people who just happen to appear on screen for silly outrageous gore and violence effect. The actors themselves look bored, especially Martin. That’s because Martin mostly does stunt work. She has a blank expression throughout the whole movie. My suspicion is they hired actors who were proficient in stunt work so they could save money killing two birds with one stone.
While the writers throw hints to other Suess works, this is your typical low-budget horror in which you can tell most of the scenes were shot quick and fast with as little expenses as possible. There’s a subplot about the mayor McBean (Amy Schumacher) and Sheriff Hooper (Erik Baker) trying to cover up things about The Mean One as the mayor is seeking re-election. Yet considering most of Newville looks deserted.
The Mean One is the equivalent of being handed a gift from an older relative that you know is going to suck, but you open it anyway, hoping for something better. There’s only so much you can do with the notion of killer Grinch. Even Ron Howard and Jim Carrey realized they stretch the original premise too thin for the 2000 live-action movie.
What do you think? Please comment.
Zane Says 