A CHRISTMAS CAROL review (positive)by Wade Stewart

Robert Zemeckis has been crafting tales with his new process of imaging. Starting with The Polar Express, he has delighted audiences with tales of whimsy. His newest is A Christmas Carol and it is a magical re-telling that is a fast paced, a ninety-six minute IMAX 3-D treat.

The beginning pan into old Victorian London, with all of it’s panoramic “big movie feel”, shows the audience phenomenal detail. All of the scenic backgrounds truly capture “Dickensian style”. The audience is more than satisfied with all of the glorious computerized animation.

Jim Carrey must be praised for brilliantly executing the voices of Scrooge, The Ghost of Christmas Past, Scrooge as a young boy, Scrooge as a teenage boy, Scrooge as a young man, Scrooge as a middle-aged man, The Ghost of Christmas Present, as well as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. With this modern day animation, facial expressions are so well executed that they truly and consistently tug at the audiences emotional heart strings.

Ultimately, all of Mr. Carey’s magical movie moments are sincerely and utterly amazing coupled with the 3-D animation. But my really favorite moments are spent between Scrooge and all three of the Ghosts of Christmas (most especially the Ghost of Christmas Present). The director chose two new avenues within the plot to assist in execution of the telling of this tale, in reference to this character. Just wait until you witness the Ghost of Christmas Present’s two new character changes.



The most entertaining “show stealing moments” (aside from Jim Carrey’s work) are splashed upon the screen by Bob Hoskins, with the vocal performance of Mr. Feggiwig. Mr. Hoskins’ execution of the role is sheer whimsy and comical delight. His character is a really much needed comic relief by this particular point in the story.

There are other stand-out performances in this Dickens tale. Gary Oldman does a great job in performing the two voices of Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. I felt both voices were not only impressively executed with realism. Both characters vocally, lent their undeniable and spot-on English dialects to the wonderful story. While mentioning stand-out vocal characterization, I must give high praise to Colin Firth as the voice of Fred, and Robin Wright Penn for executing her heartwarming and tragically sad feel to Scrooge’s girlfriend as he leaves her behind for a successful career and the almighty shilling.

I must encourage everyone to go to the IMAX theater and experience this self-redemptive re-telling of Charles Dickens. Disney 3-D computerized animation is perfect and awesome -- an artistic masterpiece. You and your family will not soon forget the ultimate and heartfelt moral from Mr. Dickens – to keep Christmas in your heart each and every day of the year.

This take on A Christmas Carol is by far the most beautiful and artistic version of the classic tale, my absolute favorite animated one to date. The characters facial expressions, down to the magical glow in all of their eyes, are not to be missed on the big screen this holiday season. There are absolutely not enough adjectives to describe how truly wonderful this brand new Disney classic is. Charles Dickens would be very proud of his most famous tale. God bless us, everyone...

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