A Christmas Carol

2009-11-10 08:47 by Joseph Spath

Christmas is coming a little earlier this year with Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge in an animated retelling of Charles Dickens' classic. We got a 10-year-old to review it for us.

Add Your Review

(Comments may be edited or deleted at the Channel24 editors’ discretion)

grant aubin 11/5/2009 8:45 PM Rating:: Having just come from a screening of "A Christmas Carol" I can confirm the worst suspicions of genuine film lovers. And anyone who has an ounce of love for Charles Dickens. The film is spectacular to look at and the kids will no doubt enjoy all the whiz bang action. Unfortunately this is the Disney and Robert Zemeckis' version, not the Charles Dickens' version we know and love. The storyline is the same but ............. Of course it will probably make a fair amount of money, but gosh it was unsatisfying. The film has no soul, no beating heart, no emotional lift at the end. I didn't even have a lump in my throat when it was over. What a bitter disappointment. The magic is gone, to be replaced by an f/x laden thrill ride. Tiny Tim (Gary Oldman, I kid you not - he does three characters) has one line of dialog. Thus the character of Tiny Tim is barely a factor in this version. Tiny Tin, who for me has always been the heart and soul of this wonderful story. Are Disney and Zemeckis crazy?. Or just greedy? Where is their spirit of Christmas? But wow, we get to see Scrooge (Jim Carrey, who plays nine characters) fly to the moon and back in 10 seconds in 3-D. Visually dazzling, but emotionally bland and hollow would describe the film perfectly. It is an understatement to say that the 1951 film starring Alistair Sim is a fifty times more effective - and affecting, experience. Let me just add that while I certainly enjoyed aspects of the performances of Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Cary Elwes (also in multiple parts) and even Jim Carrey, the actors are not well served by this format of film-making. In fact, while their names will help sell the picture, their wonderful talents are dimmed here. You must see what they do to poor Robin Wright Penn; she's been bland-ed out visually. Really, how could they mess this one up.

Halle 11/9/2009 12:45 AM: Great review Joey :) Keep up the good work.

Your Name
Email
Comment
Please enter the following text
Your rating for this movie: Rate Me...

Recent Reviews

Jack and Jill

2012-01-11 10:54

Adam Sandler's losing streak continues as he offers up what will surely be the most stomach-churning comedy of the year. Read More »
Add your review

The Descendants

2012-01-11 11:03

George Clooney subtly navigates family chaos while delivering a performance that is so understated, it appears effortless. Read More »
Add your review