A Christmas Carol (2009)
6.876 /10
4284 Reviews
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Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Scrooge / Ghosts of Christmas (voice)
... Bob Cratchit / Marley / Tiny Tim (voice)
... Fred (voice)
... Fan / Belle (voice)
... Portly Gentleman / Dick Wilkins / Fiddler / Business Man (voice)
User reviews
A Christmas Carol sings the haunted verses of Dickens through disjointed emotionless motion capture. “Bah! Humbug!” Zemeckis had always been fascinated with digital cinema. ‘The Polar Express’ was technological innovation at its more pure, yet ‘Beowulf’ stabbed itself through contrived art direction that failed to suit the dark environment it was showcasing. So when he heard the “House of Mouse” were adapting Dickens’ universally known tale (again...), he clearly joyfully jumped at the chance of producing more digital art. The inevitable question though is: why? Does a Victorian-era Christmas story warrant the unrefined technological advancement of motion capture? Yes and no, is the answer.
The tale itself remains intact, following closer to Dickens’ words than any other adaptation that preceded this. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge encounters various spirits that show the repercussions of his selfish acts, in a bid to rid the evils of ignorance and want. I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it. Your nan has definitely seen it. And probably your pet dog too. Whether it be live-action, Mickey Mouse or The Muppets, you have almost indefinitely seen an adaptation of this famous novella. It’s an important moral that warrants the several iterations over the course of cinema, teaching families the significance of generosity and Christmas spirit.
Much like its source material however, it’s a dark tale. Ghostly ghouls visiting an elderly lonely man, including his deceased business partner entrapped in shackles and the shadow of Sauron succumbing Scrooge to the depths of Mordor’s burning fires. Zemeckis took the core tone of Dickens’ novella and merged it with Disney’s typical holiday whimsicality. The end result? Inconsistent. It’s either too dark for children or too joyous for adults. The two jarring tones rarely worked, producing a conflicting adaptation. One moment Scrooge is dealing with a prostitute dragged away in a straining jacket. The next scene? Children having a snowball fight to the merry notes of Silvestri’s score. Neither producing an entirely cheerful Christmas flick or faithful replication. I’d rather have a 15-rated horror adaptation of A Christmas Carol, as intended of course.
Now for the motion capture. It is what it is I suppose. A technical achievement for its time, utterly outdated a decade later. Character models were stilted. Eyes lacked any expression whatsoever. When close to candle lighting, resembled waxworks. The Ghost of Christmas Past just looked terrible, with its face mismatching the rest of its anthropomorphic candle body. Environmentally speaking, the scenery and inanimate objects were stunningly designed. It really felt like Christmas in Victorian-era London. Just a shame that Zemeckis only tested the limitations of animation through scenes of padding. Scrooge chased by a grim reaper for five minutes. Scrooge flying around London for three minutes. Scrooge slowly becoming Jim Carrey for the film’s entirety. Seemed like additional efforts for gimmicky 3D extravaganza than actual substance.
Fortunately the voice acting was perfect. Carrey and his multitude of personas rarely matched Scrooge’s mundane lifestyle. But that’s why it worked so well! The various voices of the ghosts as well tested his voicing talent remarkably. Oldman as Cratchit added a touch of humility to the story, and again, suited the character perfectly.
A Christmas Carol is a smorgasbord of tonal clashes and technical anomalies. For every fantastic aspect is a tiresome trope. The gorgeous scenery design is counteracted by horrific motion capture. The source material’s darkness is restrained by forced whimsicality in an attempt to appeal to the masses. It’s not the ideal Christmas present I asked for, but I can make do with its contents. Bah! Humbug!
Director:
Release Date:
2009-11-04
Run Time:
94 min
MMPA Rating:
PG
Reviews of
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol sings the haunted verses of Dickens through disjointed emotionless motion capture. “Bah! Humbug!” Zemeckis had always been fascinated with digital cinema. ‘The Polar Express’ was technological innovation at its more pure, yet ‘Beowulf’ stabbed itself through contrived art direction that failed to suit the dark environment it was showcasing. So when he heard the “House of Mouse” were adapting Dickens’ universally known tale (again...), he clearly joyfully jumped at the chance of producing more digital art. The inevitable question though is: why? Does a Victorian-era Christmas story warrant the unrefined technological advancement of motion capture? Yes and no, is the answer.
The tale itself remains intact, following closer to Dickens’ words than any other adaptation that preceded this. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge encounters various spirits that show the repercussions of his selfish acts, in a bid to rid the evils of ignorance and want. I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it. Your nan has definitely seen it. And probably your pet dog too. Whether it be live-action, Mickey Mouse or The Muppets, you have almost indefinitely seen an adaptation of this famous novella. It’s an important moral that warrants the several iterations over the course of cinema, teaching families the significance of generosity and Christmas spirit.
Much like its source material however, it’s a dark tale. Ghostly ghouls visiting an elderly lonely man, including his deceased business partner entrapped in shackles and the shadow of Sauron succumbing Scrooge to the depths of Mordor’s burning fires. Zemeckis took the core tone of Dickens’ novella and merged it with Disney’s typical holiday whimsicality. The end result? Inconsistent. It’s either too dark for children or too joyous for adults. The two jarring tones rarely worked, producing a conflicting adaptation. One moment Scrooge is dealing with a prostitute dragged away in a straining jacket. The next scene? Children having a snowball fight to the merry notes of Silvestri’s score. Neither producing an entirely cheerful Christmas flick or faithful replication. I’d rather have a 15-rated horror adaptation of A Christmas Carol, as intended of course.
Now for the motion capture. It is what it is I suppose. A technical achievement for its time, utterly outdated a decade later. Character models were stilted. Eyes lacked any expression whatsoever. When close to candle lighting, resembled waxworks. The Ghost of Christmas Past just looked terrible, with its face mismatching the rest of its anthropomorphic candle body. Environmentally speaking, the scenery and inanimate objects were stunningly designed. It really felt like Christmas in Victorian-era London. Just a shame that Zemeckis only tested the limitations of animation through scenes of padding. Scrooge chased by a grim reaper for five minutes. Scrooge flying around London for three minutes. Scrooge slowly becoming Jim Carrey for the film’s entirety. Seemed like additional efforts for gimmicky 3D extravaganza than actual substance.
Fortunately the voice acting was perfect. Carrey and his multitude of personas rarely matched Scrooge’s mundane lifestyle. But that’s why it worked so well! The various voices of the ghosts as well tested his voicing talent remarkably. Oldman as Cratchit added a touch of humility to the story, and again, suited the character perfectly.
A Christmas Carol is a smorgasbord of tonal clashes and technical anomalies. For every fantastic aspect is a tiresome trope. The gorgeous scenery design is counteracted by horrific motion capture. The source material’s darkness is restrained by forced whimsicality in an attempt to appeal to the masses. It’s not the ideal Christmas present I asked for, but I can make do with its contents. Bah! Humbug!
A tale that almost feels as old as time itself, one that is very much overtold. However, this 'A Christmas Carol' is a good retelling of Charles Dickens' work.
Jim Carrey isn't necessarily firing on all cylinders, but is entertaining enough as Scrooge. Gary Oldman (Bob) and Colin Firth (Fred) are welcomed members of the voice cast, also.
I quite like the tone of the film, as well as the design of the animation - which isn't amazing, some parts look like what you'd see in a video game, but it works well to set up the ambience of the London surroundings.
There's good music from Alan Silvestri, too. Overall, I'd recommend it - admittedly I do enjoy the story of Ebenezer a lot.
It takes a bit of getting used to the rather angular style of animation, but thereafter this is quite an enjoyable adaptation of Charles Dickens' tale of the wealthy miser "Scrooge". He hates Christmas with a vengeance - all that good will malarkey - humbug! Luckily for his eternal soul, his long-dead partner "Marley" mysteriously appears and forewarns him of three visits he is going to receive in the early hours of Christmas morning. His past, his present and his future are going to flash before his eyes - all with a view to him realising the errors of his ways and changing for the better before it's all too late. The story is told in a similar fashion to Ronald Neame's version from 1970 - only without the music - and it's well paced with plenty of creative and expressive use of the animator's art to re-create a Victorian world of poverty, cold and generosity of spirit - even in the least likely of places. Robert Zemeckis has assembled a solid vocal cast to compliment the eerily life-like characterisations and although they can look a little sterile at times, this is still a worthwhile reimagining of an oft told story that keeps a tight hold on the reins for ninety minutes of dark festive fantasy with a message of joy and hope.
Cast & Crew of
A Christmas Carol
Cast
... Scrooge / Ghosts of Christmas (voice)
... Bob Cratchit / Marley / Tiny Tim (voice)
... Fred (voice)
... Fan / Belle (voice)
... Portly Gentleman / Dick Wilkins / Fiddler / Business Man (voice)
... Fezziwig / Old Joe (voice)
... Apprentice / Caroler / Beggar / Peter Cratchit (voice)
... Funerary Undertaker / Topper (voice)
... Tattered Caroler (voice)
... Tattered Caroler / Well Dressed Caroler (voice)
... Caroler / Beggar / Cratchit Boy / Ignorance / Boy (voice)
... Tattered Caroler / Well Dressed Caroler (voice)
... Tattered Caroler / Well Dressed Caroler (voice)
... Mrs. Dilber (voice)
... Beggar Boy / Young Cratchit Girl / Want Girl (voice)
... Fat Cook / Portly Gentleman #2 / Business Man #3 (voice)
... Mrs. Fezziwig / Fred's Sister-In-Law / Caroler (voice)
... Mrs. Cratchit (voice)
... Belinda Cratchit (voice)
... Martha Cratchit / Guest #1 / Caroline (voice)
... Fred's Wife (voice)
... Guest #3 / Business Man #2 (voice)
... Guest #4 (voice)
... Adult Ignorance (voice)
... Adult Want (voice)
... Caroline's Child (voice)
... Caroline's Husband (voice)
... Poulterer (voice)
... Well Dressed Caroler (voice)
... Well Dressed Caroler / Fred's Housemaid (voice)
Crew
... Original Music Composer
... Screenplay
... Director
... Producer
... Producer
... Novel
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Set Decoration
... Foley
... Foley
... Orchestrator
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Costume Design
... Character Designer
... Makeup Artist
... Set Designer
... Casting
... Producer
... Director of Photography
... Editor
... Production Design
... Makeup Department Head
... Line Producer
... Sound Designer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Assistant Art Director
... Visual Effects Editor
... Stunts
... Co-Producer
... Orchestrator
... ADR Voice Casting
... Production Sound Mixer
... Motion Capture Artist
... Boom Operator
... First Assistant Director
... Stunts
... Special Effects Supervisor
... Production Assistant
... Stunts
... Supervising ADR Editor
... Stunts
... Actor's Assistant
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Camera Operator
... Stunts
... Motion Capture Artist
... Animation
... Stunt Coordinator
... Hair Designer
... Associate Producer
... Art Direction
... Casting Assistant
... Animation
... Production Coordinator
... Supervising Technical Director
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Script Supervisor
... Sound Mix Technician
... Art Department Manager
... Boom Operator
... Makeup Designer
... Casting Assistant
... Makeup Artist
... Costume Supervisor
... Assistant Editor
... Digital Effects Supervisor
... Animation Supervisor
... Makeup Artist
... Art Direction
... Construction Coordinator
... Camera Operator
... Additional Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Still Photographer
... Stunts
... Sound Recordist
... Supervising Music Editor
... Still Photographer
... Stunts
... Set Costumer
... Camera Operator
... Production Intern
... Digital Producer
... Casting Associate
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Foley Editor
... Foley Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Digital Effects Supervisor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Special Effects
... Camera Operator
... Digital Intermediate
... Assistant Editor
... Set Costumer
... Stunts
... Sound Design Assistant
... Animation Supervisor
... Production Coordinator
... Second Assistant Director
... Technical Supervisor
... Animation
... Lighting Artist
... Animation
... Makeup Artist
... Animation
... Animation
... Visual Effects
... Compositors
... Associate Producer
... Lead Animator
... Animation
... Archival Footage Research
... Digital Compositors
... Animation
... Choreographer
... Unit Publicist
... Art Department Coordinator
... Property Master
... Animation
... Art Direction
... Production Sound Mixer
... ADR Editor
... Production Intern
... Production Manager
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Set Designer
... Set Costumer
... Construction Foreman
... Animation
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Driver
... Production Manager
... Camera Operator
... Painter
... Assistant Production Manager
... VFX Artist
... Art Department Manager
... Digital Compositors
... Character Designer
... First Assistant Editor
... Production Manager
... Stunts
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Set Dresser
... Stunts
... Craft Service
... Digital Producer
... Camera Operator
... Set Production Assistant
... Lighting Artist
... Driver
... Animation Supervisor
... Camera Operator
... Visual Effects
... Makeup Artist
... Set Dresser
... CG Supervisor
... Stunts
... Assistant Production Manager
... Motion Capture Artist
... CGI Supervisor
... Musician
... Conceptual Design
... Compositors
... Lighting Artist
... Orchestrator
... Leadman
... Production Manager
... Animation
... Story Editor
... Art Direction
... Co-Art Director
... Art Department Assistant
... Conceptual Design
... Prop Maker
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Art Department Assistant
... Art Department Assistant
... Art Department Assistant
... Actor's Assistant
... Best Boy Electrician
... Rigging Grip
... Key Grip
... Musician
... Musician
... Post Production Assistant
... Production Coordinator
... Production Coordinator
... Production Manager
... Assistant Property Master
... Set Dresser
... Camera Operator
... Key Hair Stylist
... Makeup Artist
... Set Costumer
... CG Supervisor
... Digital Effects Supervisor
... Motion Capture Artist
... Motion Capture Artist
... Motion Capture Artist
... Production Office Assistant
... Post-Production Manager
... Stunts
... Systems Administrators & Support
... Systems Administrators & Support
... Systems Administrators & Support
... Systems Administrators & Support
... Systems Administrators & Support
... Systems Administrators & Support
... Systems Administrators & Support
... Assistant Editor
... Lighting Artist
... Lighting Artist
... Lighting Supervisor
... Assistant Production Coordinator
... Assistant Production Coordinator
... Assistant Production Manager
... Assistant Production Manager
... Assistant Production Manager
... Casting Assistant
... Production Accountant
... Production Accountant
... Production Coordinator
... Production Coordinator
... Production Coordinator
... Production Coordinator
... Production Coordinator
... Production Manager
... Researcher
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Character Designer
... Modeling
... Modeling
... Modeling
... Visual Effects
... Visual Effects
... Visual Effects Editor
... Visual Effects
... Visual Effects
... VFX Artist
... VFX Artist
... VFX Artist
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Visual Effects Coordinator
... Visual Effects
Videos & Photos of
A Christmas Carol
Videos (1)
Photos 11
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