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christianpizzirani.com · @christianpizzirani.com@bridge.neodb.net

Rated A Christmas Carol 9/10

As a fan of the story of A Christmas Carol, I really love this version. Yes it's Disney-fied, yes it has unnecessary shots intended for 3D, and yes the mini Scrooge during the future spirit scene is a little silly. BUT, so much of this Dickens adaptation works for me. First off, Jim Carrey nails the miserly-ness of Scrooge. He's just so miserable, cold, and alone. But the other main characters are played out so nicely here and provide a stark contrast to Scrooge's stone cold heart - his clerk (Bob Cratchit), his nephew (Fred), his ex-fiance (Belle), and his old partner (Jacob Marley), among many others. I found all of the actors to be doing excellent versions of these beloved roles (and what a cast this is!) Next, and where I think the movie shines outside of so many adaptations, the portrayal of the spirits (from Marley to each of the various ghosts) is truly haunting. I've seen some folks comment on how scary this version is, but I'd argue it should be; A Christmas Carol is absolutely a ghost story. A story about redemption, yes, but definitely full of the supernatural. Marley's scene in particular is fantastically done and the ghost of Christmas future is just as intimidating as it should be. Some of the motion capture may be a little "off" looking in comparison to today's visuals, but I think it holds up enough and Scrooge especially looks quite detailed. Otherwise, I love how this movie is able to use computer animation to whisk us through the streets and skies of Victorian-era London. The score is phenomenal and the music is a delightful collection of songs which all usher in the holiday spirit. By the time we get to the conclusion, I feel we (and Scrooge) have earned the satisfying ending. It's just so lovely to see him changed and making up for lost time. It's not a perfect Christmas Carol, but it's my favorite, and I think it really hits the right beats to tell the timeless story.

#movie

Published 2025-12-23 00:00 UTC · bridged from Atmosphere