Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has been told and re-told so many times that I doubt a plot summary is necessary at all. In terms of movies, the 1951 version starring Alastair Sim is widely regarded as the quintessential cinematic adaptation. Richard Donner’s modernized version, Scrooged starring Bill Murray is another favorite. There have been versions starring the Muppets, Mickey Mouse, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Mr. Magoo. Cartoonist Carl Barks created the popular Uncle Scrooge as a takeoff of Dickens’ lead character for the Donald Duck comic books. Armed with the latest in modern technology, director Robert Zemeckis has created yet another version of what he considers one of the great time travel stories.
Jim Carrey takes the lead as Ebenezer Scrooge whose selfish ways earn him a visit from his late partner, Jacob Marley (Gary Oldman). Marley heralds the arrival of the three spirits (also played by Carrey) who teach Scrooge the error of his ways. Carrey isn’t the only one playing multiple roles. Oldman also doubles as Bob Cratchit and even did the motion capture for Tiny Tim. Robin Wright Penn appears as Scrooge’s late sister, Fan, and former love, Belle, while Colin Firth takes on the small role of Scrooge’s nephew, Fred. He’s the only one who actually looks like his character.
This 3D version is a faithful adaptation with numerous lines of dialogue lifted straight from the novel. Carol begins to fall apart in the third act which is also where it strays furthest from the source material. Zemeckis pads out the final part of the film with Scrooge being chased through the streets of London by a carriage driven by the Ghost of Christmas Past. Scrooge is slowly shrunk to action figure size throughout. Never has there been a more unnecessary addition then to throw in a slapdash action sequence into Dickens’ classic.
Through computer animation, Zemeckis is able to open up the world, telling a timeless tale in new ways. Some of it works (the seamless way in which Scrooge travels through his past) and a lot doesn’t (Ghost of Christmas Present turning Scrooge’s home into a glorified home theater system). Mostly, the motion capture isn’t able to shake off its limitations. The characters still have a plastic look to them while moving about in a wooden fashion. Granted, they aren’t as creepy looking as in The Polar Express, but the animation hasn’t improved enough to accurately render the actors’ performances.
Rating: **
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