Disney’s A Christmas Carol (2009) is a new take on an old story. Charles Dickens’ classic novel has seen many film adaptations, but none compare visually with director Robert Zemeckis’ motion capture animated version. With the exception of a few moments of comic relief, which are out-of-place and unforgivable, the film remains true to the novel.
We all know the story. Scrooge (Jim Carrey) , a penny-pinching miser bent on being the ultimate Christmas hum-bug, is offered a chance at redemption. The ghost of his partner, Jacob Marley (Gary Oldman), dead these seven years, shows up in Scrooges’ bedroom, telling Scrooge he has a chance to escape his fate by being visited by three spirits, Ghost of Christmas Past, Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (all voiced by Carrey).
You can’t deny the film’s stunning visual style. Zemeckis’ technique, and attention to detail, has improved since his last motion capture outing, Beowulf (2007). The characters, especially Scrooge, have detail that rival the human face. This is one film that benefits dramatically from IMAX 3D. Individual hairs wisping on the end of Scrooges beak-like nose are visible, along with repulsive acne which speckles many characters’ faces. Marley’s appearance rivals Scrooge’s for detail and disturbance. The secondary characters are not given as much detail, I image this is due to budget constraints, but the film is no worse for it.
Zemeckis uses 3D to bring depth to the film. We see houses, churches, and other buildings in the distance. We fly, with Scrooge, through doorways and over cities (a few times too many).
Instead of using Jim Carrey for Scrooge and all the spirits, the film could benefit from a variety of talent. Carrey is perfect as Scrooge, as Gary Oldman is as Marley, but the spirits annoyed me. The whispering voice of the Ghost of Christmas Past was like nails on a chalkboard. David Byrne, of Talking Heads fame, came to mind as a perfect fit for this character. His quirkiness mixed with a camera friendly face, makes him a good choice. Carrey was tolerable as the Ghost of Christmas Present, but Robin Williams could shine in the role. Thinking of Williams as Genie in Aladdin (1992) or King of the Moon in Terry Gilliams’ bizarre 1988 film, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, brings to mind why he’d be great for the part. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come was a cop-out, and his scene plays the biggest role in why the film received a lower rating. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a shadow that chases a miniaturized Scrooge through the streets, and sewers, of London. It doesn’t fit with the rest of the film, and should have been rewritten.
The film was enjoyable, and apart from a few scenes that may be too scary for young children, it’s a good family film.
Rating: 
