There are movies that are always associated with the Christmas holiday. The Polar Express (also made by Robert Zemeckis) has become one of those movies in recent years, but there is also A Christmas Story, A Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Carol.
A Christmas Carol was written by Charles Dickens and dates back to a 15-minute program in 1908. I do not think I have to tell you how this story goes. We all know the name Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future (aka Yet-to-Come). So when a story has been around for over a century and has been made for every medium in entertainment, it’s tough to make it feel fresh and original.
The answer for Robert Zemeckis, the director, is to use his motion-capturing technology like he did for The Polar Express and Beowulf, and stay as close as he can to the classic tale. He found an actor who has many voices and expressions and would use all of his talents for several different characters. Of course, that actor is Jim Carrey. He not only plays all ages of Scrooge, but all three of the ghosts as well.
Carrey does use his talents to create these characters and give them all distinct personalities. He is able to separate these characters from each other. Gary Oldman also lends his voice to a few characters including Tiny Tim. Robin Wright Penn, Bob Hoskins, Cary Elwes and Colin Firth use their voices to round out the cast. All of the acting is good, but Carrey steals the show. But that is to be expected since he plays the most important roles of the movie.
A Christmas Carol comes down to the use of technology and animation. Zemeckis loves this stuff and that’s why his past three films have all been motion-capture. The animation is amazing and very precise. The way the hair and clothes move and sway with the character, and you can even see the little hairs on Scrooge’s nose. There is a lot of detail that has been put in to this movie and definitely in to the creation of the characters.
But it is the same old story and the entertainment factor suffers a little because of it. It is a little dark at times and the movie takes you on some chases that may be a little unnecessary. But we know where the movie is going and we are just left waiting for the ending.
Zemeckis is mastering this technology, but it does nothing for the story. The motion-capturing is a nice addition, but the movie lacks the freshness of a different approach. It’s the same movie but it just looks a lot better on-screen. You are left wondering whether or not it was really worth telling this story again.
A Christmas Carol gets the job done as far as being a Christmas movie that will get you in the mood for the holidays. And the technology is amazing to see on the big screen. There is no doubt about it. If possible, please see the movie in 3D because you will enjoy it more.
However, the way this movie flows and how it ends will surprise no one, but the meaning is still there. It does have an important message about changing, giving and forgiving. But most people will leave talking about the visuals more than the story they already know and love.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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