“A Christmas Carol”

Rated PG (for scary sequences and images)



In the interest of full disclosure, I should admit that I am a very big fan of artistic depictions of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” particularly in books. But I also appreciate theatric and cinematic versions. I have even read Dickens and, in particular, his “A Christmas Carol.”

I have also read some early film reviews of Robert Zemeckis’ “A Christmas Carol.” I am stunned by how many reviewers complain that “A Christmas Carol” is contrary to the jolly and generous spirit that is Dickens and “A Christmas Carol.”

Apparently these reviewers have either never read Dickens or stopped reading the book sometime after the third grade. Perhaps they are thinking of “A Christmas Carol,” the monosyllabic version published by the Giggling Bunny Press. (I made that up, there isn’t such a version.) Let me be very clear: “A Christmas Carol,” written by Charles Dickens, is a ghost story. Furthermore, Mr. Dickens wrote many a dark and dismal tale. Even though “A Christmas Carol” ends on a positive note, it was an attack on business greed, wide-spread poverty, and a host of other Victorian societal ills. It calls for conversion of mankind, not of one man. How ironic, then, that some of these critics yearn for a Disneyfication of “A Christmas Carol.” What did they want? Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck? Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy? They already have those versions courtesy of Disney.

Two movie reviews I read were particularly glowing. One was English and the other Australian. I had to wonder if these two reviewers liked this film version because they had some actual acquaintance with Mr. Dickens and his little book.

This new version is scary (parents of tykes be forewarned). And the dialogue is very close to Dickens’ actual prose, perhaps the closest I have seen to date. The 3D version, however, depends upon an overuse of roller-coaster gyrations. I suppose it is a tad boring and unnecessary in the 2D version. Although I enjoyed watching these 3D animated fireworks, I couldn’t wonder if there is an upcoming ride at Disneyland and Disneyworld . I would have preferred if it had been toned down. It would have been better if Mr. Zemeckis had kept on point and not succumbed to so many loop-d-loops and fly-bys.

The animation technique is like “Polar Express,” a cross between human and cartoon. The process involves live action, computerization, and animation. It can be a little creepy but it can also be fascinating especially when placed into a mid-nineteenth century London setting.

Jim Carrey not only lends his facial expressions, but he voices Scrooge at all the various stages of life, not to mention all three ghosts. Amazing talent. Gary Oldman does Bob Cratchit, Marley and Tiny Tim. Very nice. Bob Hoskins does Mr. Fezziwig and Old Joe (the guy who buys dead Scrooge’s bed curtains). Delightful.

There is a lot going on in Zemeckis’ “A Christmas Carol,” demonstrating very effective touches: Marley’s blood curdling howls, the ghosts that haunt Scrooge’s neighborhood after Marley leaves, and hideous Ignorance and Want, two cadaverous children that hide under the robes of the Ghost of Christmas Present. These are often omitted from sugar-coated cinematic versions of A Christmas Carol. Maybe not so good for the little ones, but for middle-aged fans of ghost stories and Mr. Charles Dickens, it is an early Christmas present.

“A Christmas Carol” earns four and a half bow ties out of five.