Written by Tiffany
Opened November 6, 2009 | Runtime: 1 hr. 36 min.
PG: scary images and scary sequences
Right upfront, let me make this clear: They are not kidding about the scary images and sequences. My younger kids do not frighten easily; they have seen more movies than most adults.There was quite a lot in this movie that flat out scared them – and we saw it in 3D, so it was coming right at us. There were even a few points where I jumped, and with my 5 year old cowering on my lap, well that takes some doing, let me tell you!
Now that that’s out of the way…
Next to the George C. Scott and Bill Murray versions, this just may be my favorite! I LOVE that they stuck so closely to the original Dickens prose. It is beautiful to listen to. And the film makers did an amazing job recreating 1840s England. It’s just amazing. Kudos! It’s exciting, entertaining, almost a thrill-ride at some points. This is possibly the most vibrant and heart-pumping version ever put on celluloid! We were all glued to the screen, it held our attention captive every second of its 96 minutes. And even though this story is one that is so well known most of us could recite it in our sleep, it felt like I was seeing it for the first time. And in some ways I was, this is nothing like its predecessors.
So I loved it but… (oh, you knew there was a but) it uses digital animated performance-capture technology (like The Polar Express) and I’m sorry, but I find it totally creepy. And I have a hard time watching The Polar Express for the same reason. I don’t get it and I don’t like it (but I’ll get over it. I’m a big girl that way.) While it totally works for Scrooge (Jim Carrey is nearly unrecognizable), it almost made me lose my serious crush on Colin Firth, who plays Scrooge’s nephew. Watch it – you’ll see what I mean. Ewww. What were they thinking?
And now that I’ve mentioned Jim Carrey, let’s go there. I have a love/hate relationship with he-who-speaks-out-of-his-butt. Ace Ventura, Dumb and Dumber – these are Jim Carrey movies that completely boggle my mind. I do not get them. I don’t find them funny. I can’t even watch them in small, tiny, insignificant doses. The Mask, Cable Guy, Liar Liar – these are Jim Carrey comedies that make me say “hey, that’s a funny guy!” And then there’s The Truman Show, The Majestic, Man on the Moon – where I’m just blown away by what a gifted and talented actor he is. Yes Man totally changed my life, though that was more the message of the movie than Jim Carrey himself. Still good. Still watch it on DVD all the time!
So, back to Jim – in case you didn’t know, Jim plays not only Scrooge (at all his ages) but the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. And that, my friends, is a heck of a lot of Jim Carrey!! While he is near perfect as Scrooge, he is just TOO MUCH as the ghosts. And it’s not that it’s too much of one actor, I actually GET IT. It makes sense that Scrooge sees himself as the ghosts – I mean, really, that adds such a level of depth to the whole story. So I get the thought and intention behind it. I really think this is the first time that part of the story has been done right. But what I mean is it’s TOO MUCH JIM. It feels like he’s doing impressions. It’s Jim Carrey doing schtick – it just comes off like that. I can’t get past it being JIM CARREY. In your face, larger than life (in the case of the Ghost of Christmas Present, quite literally) and it’s just overbearing. It completely takes away from the movie. It literally took me OUT of the movie, it breaks that magic-spell. And that sucked. Which is too bad, because like I said he is an incredible Scrooge. Possibly even better than George C. Scott (and he was my number one next to Bill Murray, but that’s for different reasons! If you haven’t seen Scrooged, go rent it! It’s the best EVER!!)
My overall review: very scary, especially for young children! Exciting, action-packed (who ever thought you’d hear that about Dickens!) You’ve never seen A Christmas Carol like this! And so true to the original story (for the most part.) Listen closely to the spoken prose – it’s like poetry. Definitely a new holiday favorite – instant classic!
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Comments
9 Responses to Disney’s A Christmas Carol
Tiffany, I like your perspective on Jim Carrey. I tend to agree with your analysis. I think he’s very talented, but sometimes he is just a “bit too much” for me!
I actually was interested in seeing this movie last weekend. I let my teen daughter pick the movie, however, and she went with “Where the Wild Things Are” (I just re-read your review of that). I still plan to try and see it. It seems like a fun movie to see over Thanksgiving, if we don’t make it before.
Your reviews are enlightening and very helpful in picking movies for the whole household. Keep them coming, please!
Thanks Tiffany,
This is one movie I just might go see. I am thinking before Thanksgiving also.
I am not a big fan of Jim Carrey’s but I totally see him in this role. I love your movie reviews also. Although my husband and I are more content now to wait and watch most movies from Netflix, you are inspiring me to get back to going to the movie theatre. Especially around the holidays.
My H is a total Dickens fan. He has almost seen every version made of Christmas Carol. We’re going to see it tomorrow – rush hour show. I’ll report on it tomorrow.
The Polar Express is my son’s (and our) favorite movie. The first few times the animation really creeped me out, but now it doesn’t even phase us.
Tiffany, thanks for the heads up about the scare factor. It sounds too intense for my little one which dissapoints me. I saw the trailer and knew immediately I had to see this movie. I’m even more excited after reading your review. Jim Carrey can really get on my nerves, but there are some things he does so well. I can’t wait. I’ll let my little one watch it on DVD where it will won’t be as much of a shock as the big screen.
WE LOVED IT!!!
I think Disney did a great job of taking a classic story and making it their own. I agree with Tiffany – it’s not for young children. We saw it in 3D which was awesome – although at first I thought it might make me sick!
The way they showed off London was simply amazing! The animation didn’t bother me at all. I think I’m used to it since we watch The Polar Express at least once a week – my little one’s favorite!
It really put us in the mood for Christmas and I can’t wait to get it for my husband on DVD.
i agree about jim carey! and the polar express as well.
my favorite is the george c scott version and i will probably stick with that one. i love old movies!!!!
The George C. Scott one is my absolute favorite.
Thanks Tiffany! I probably would have taken our daughter to see it- and scared her to death if I hadn’t read this.
The Polar expressed creeped me out too! So glad I”m not the only one freake dout by that type of imaging!
I had this review in mind when I went with my husband, son, and 2 granddaughters to see it today. We actually saw it at the IMAX theater, but don’t know if it was different from the regular digital 3D. Anyway, it was great! I loved feeling like I was swooping over the streets of England, sliding on the ice behind a horse and buggy, looking through a window into a large banquet hall.
We were all mesmerized, even at the quiet points. I was next to each granddaughter, and the 7-year old jumped frequently but giggled with delight at her fright. The 10-year old said she really liked it, more than she thought she would. She declared it a fun day, so we were happy.
I actually loved Jim Carrey, except for, as Tiffany mentioned, the Ghost of Christmas Present. Overbearing was the perfect word. Too much chaos during that whole segment. Other than the minor annoyance that accompanies the 3D glasses, our crew gives it 10 thumbs up.