Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009)

[Acting Up]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/TakeOverWiFi/achristmascarol.jpg

Rated
○PG

Genre
○Childrens

Theatrical Release
○Nov 6, 2009

Synopsis
○Director Robert Zemeckis (THE POLAR EXPRESS) continues to work his holiday magic with A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This 3-D adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic will use the motion capture technology previously seen in the filmmaker's BEOWULF.

Starring
○Jim Carrey
○Gary Oldman
○Colin Firth
○Bob Hoskins

Director
○Robert Zemeckis

61% Fresh

►65 Total Reviews
○35 Fresh
○30 Rotten

[NiCK Crush]

Zemeckis needs to get back to fully live action filmmaking.

[Artman]

Interested in this but I doubt I'll see it in theaters. I just can't get excited for this style of animation... the sad part is thinking about the potential live action versions of these movies which could've been done for the same price. I mean look at this cast!

[Charlie Goose]

I don't remember Alastair Sim riding on a rocket past Big Ben.

[Bluelitespecial]

I am going to hold off on seeing it for a few weeks, so I can put it on my holiday challenge list.

[Palaver]

I really don't mind the style of animation. Polar Express is a movie that has really grown on me after repeated viewings. It's actually turned into one of my favorite holiday movies. But the slapstick style that I've seen in the previews for this movie is a real turnoff.

Plus, don't we already have enough versions of X-mas Carol? It is the most overused holiday story ever. Something new please. kthx

[jjcool]

I was really excited for this one. Somehow I missed that it was using that "animation" that they used in The Polar Express and Beowulf. Maybe I dont need to see this in theaters after all.

[KillerCannibal]

My gf and I were totally on-board to see this... until we saw it's motion-capture animated. I really can't stand films like this. If it were live action I'd be far more interested.

[Libby]

Looking forward to seeing this one, looks better then Polar Express imo.

[Dr. DVD]

I will be waiting a while until December actually arrives to see this one in IMAX 3D, if I see it at all. It's not that I find it off-putting or childish, it's just that I think this story has been done so many friggin times that I don't feel like sitting through it again. Kind of sad, as I read the original book by Dickens right before Christmas of 1994 in my Senior year of High School and thinking a remake utilizing FX technology of the day would be cool. Ironically, I thought Robert Zemeckis would be the best director (Forrest Gump was something I actually liked back then) as well, but I wanted something live action with Anthony Hopkins as Scrooge and maybe Tom Hanks as Bob Cratchit.

[The Bus]

This one looks to be on par, quality-wise, with a machinima made with Bethesda's Oblivion engine. That this came from the studio known for animation (and not, say, Weinstein), is befuddling to the utmost.

[fernsita]

I have read some great reviews (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/42968)for this movie actually. It is such a classic story so I don't see how they could really go wrong with it and Jim Carrey is always enjoyable too.

[ScissorPuppy]

I know it's November Already, but man isn't this coming out a little to early? By the time Christmas gets here this flick will only be in 400 theaters (if that!). Then again, I can understand wanting to get as much 3D Imax pie before Avatar comes out, But Honestly the fact that this movie is coming out a month before it should be turns me off from seeing it.

[KillerCannibal]

I know it's November Already, but man isn't this coming out a little to early? By the time Christmas gets here this flick will only be in 400 theaters (if that!). Then again, I can understand wanting to get as much 3D Imax pie before Avatar comes out, But Honestly the fact that this movie is coming out a month before it should be turns me off from seeing it.

No, it'll still be in plenty of theaters. They always do this with holiday films because they know once Christmas passes people will really be over seeing it. This way it can slow-burn it's way to box office gold. I believe they did the same thing with Polar Express.

[droidguy1119]

Yes, The Polar Express ran from November 2004 to March 2005. That's clearly what they're hoping for.

I didn't like it much myself. Review is here: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/40554/disneys-a-christmas-carol-2009-in-disney-digital-3d/

[MrSmearkase]

Elf opened this weekend back in 2003 also.

[Indy Jones Fan]

I really don't mind the style of animation. Polar Express is a movie that has really grown on me after repeated viewings. It's actually turned into one of my favorite holiday movies. But the slapstick style that I've seen in the previews for this movie is a real turnoff.
Oh don't worried about that. This film is actually quite frightening at times and I almost felt it should have had a PG-13 rating. There were several young children in tears at the advanced screening I attended. There are going to be alot of parents that are thinking Disney + Jim Carrey= cute comedy and they are going to be shocked I think.

[ScissorPuppy]

No, it'll still be in plenty of theaters. They always do this with holiday films because they know once Christmas passes people will really be over seeing it. This way it can slow-burn it's way to box office gold. I believe they did the same thing with Polar Express.

Yeah I see your point, I guess as I get older Christmas becomes less and less of a big deal to me. And that Halloween was just last weekend too, just seems like to much, too early to me. When I was growing up, you didn't hear that much about Christmas until a week or so before Thanksgiving. Then the day after it hit you in the face.

[Dr. DVD]

Oh don't worried about that. This film is actually quite frightening at times and I almost felt it should have had a PG-13 rating. There were several young children in tears at the advanced screening I attended. There are going to be alot of parents that are thinking Disney + Jim Carrey= cute comedy and they are going to be shocked I think.

Okay, I am suddenly interested. Maybe Zemeckis made the film the way Dickens wanted it interpreted: a gothic style ghost story with a little Christmas cheer at the end.

One other thing that movies like these (seasonal themed) have that make people like me more likely to see them theatrically is that unlike regular releases, they tend to have a year between their theatrical run and DVD release. In short, you can't comfortably pull the "it'll be on video soon" excuse.

[big whoppa]

I can wait even it takes a year to go to rental. Another Dickens story? The Beowulf/Polar Express type of CGI alone doesn't really impress me.

[godzilla rules]

I saw it today and I thought it was ok. It defintely too frightening for children, but I give them credit for sticking to the original material so closely

[Charlie Goose]

I give them credit for sticking to the original material so closely
Okay, my interest just went up a few notches. I think it's such a terrific story.

[Drop]

I really like the animation Zemeckis has been doing. Beowulf really impressed me, both in story and look. Not quite as interested in A Christmas Carol, but I keep reading alternating really positive reviews and negative ones, and that really intrigues me.

[Indy Jones Fan]

Okay, I am suddenly interested. Maybe Zemeckis made the film the way Dickens wanted it interpreted: a gothic style ghost story with a little Christmas cheer at the end.
I'd say that's pretty much what it is.

[RoboDad]

It's interesting how the reviews are so polarized (no 3D pun intended). They seem to either be very positive or scathingly negative, with few in the middle ground.

I think the review that captured my thoughts best summed it up this way:
Yes, Zemeckis does throw in a few gratuitous moments where things are flying at your face, but he ends up using enough restraint to ensure the 3D doesn't overwhelm your senses or take away from Dickens' stirring story about greed and redemption.

There were a couple of times where I felt that the use of 3D was gratuitous, and one "action" set piece during the ghost of Christmas yet to come sequence went on too long, but overall I found the film quite enjoyable, primarily due to the fact that it did follow the book much more closely than any other recent take on the story.

[JumpCutz]

As long as makes little kids cry...it's all good in my book. :thumbsup:

[Al Padrino]

The Christmas Carol was my favorite story as a child. Before I had gone to a single day of school, I was well-versed in the Alastair Sim and George C. Scott adaptations. I saw this today and was one of the few middle ground people.

Given that this is an animated feature with children in mind, I give them credit for not straying far from the source material nor adding too much in that detracts from the story. Carrey is excellent as Scrooge. The animation is slick. If you like the story, it'll be difficult to hate this adaptation.

That said, there were several instances where the director seemed to be having identity issues with the film. It seems intended for children, but there are moments that would probably terrifying young children (the Marley and Christmas Present's "death" sequences, for instance). Some of these visually scary scenes are offset by stabs at comedy. It's probably because at the end of the day, this is an adaptation for children. But they do such a great job of establishing a mood with scenes like the Marley one, only to muck it up with some lame comedy (I'm talking about Marley's jaw here).

I hated the chase scene near the end. That was the lone sequence that seemed included for the sole purpose of utilizing the 3D. Until then, the director had done an admirable job sticking closely to the original story. But this scene just sucks you out of it and reminds you you're watching something intended for children.

[writer106]

I'll be babysitting my nephew next weekend. I might take him to see this. A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite books so I will probably enjoy this.

[spammied]

Im just glad it wasnt released prior to Halloween! LOL I hate when holiday things are out very early :blush:

[RoboDad]

I agree, Al. There were three sequences (really the only sequences for me) that detracted from the story - the Marley's jaw bit, the chase scene, and the gravity-defying Fezziwig dance number. Aside from those, I thought everything else was handled very well. In fact, some of the 3-D elements worked surprisingly well for me. For example, I really liked the way they used the POV of the bells as they announced Marley's arrival.

Probably the only other thing that I think could have been handled better was the fact that Jim Carrey seemed a bit inconsistent in delivering the booming voice of the ghost of Christmas present. At times it was fine, but at times it sounded like Jim Carrey forcing a deep, booming voice.

[ScissorPuppy]

Im just glad it wasnt released prior to Halloween! LOL I hate when holiday things are out very early :blush:

Yeah lol, Only missed Halloween by 5 days!

Remember that Ben Affleck christmas movie from about 6 years ago? Was in theaters in October and on DVD the tuesday before christmas. Strange marketing there.

[Bluelitespecial]

^^^^Surviving Christmas, I know its been hated a lot but I think its very funny. Tony Soprano is in it too.

[DVD.guy]

I got to watch an extended preview during the "Christmas Carol Train Tour". I thought it was pretty well done. Kids want to watch so we'll probably go some time in Dec.

[Brack]

I saw it last night. The story is still classic. Zemeckis probably uses 3D better than any director out there. There's some silly moments, but like some here have said already, there are some genuinely scary moments that will scary some of the little kiddies (wimps, heh). Anyway, good holiday fun.

[big whoppa]

FWIW, it made $31M over the weekend. Cost of "Carol" is reportedly $175M.

[Suprmallet]

As long as makes little kids cry...it's all good in my book. :thumbsup:

Agreed, but that doesn't mean I will be seeing it.

A Christmas Carol without Patrick Stewart or Bill Murray = fail.

[Boba Fett]

I went in not expecting much. The goofy "action" sequences quickly got on my nerves, as I was thoroughly enjoying some very solid performances, not to mention dialogue that wasn't completely "dumbed down" for mainstream audiences.

I ended up being quite impressed and I think since leaving the theater it's actually gained favor in my book. I'd likely give it a 3.5/5; had it not been for the dismal transition between the Ghosts of Present and Future, it could have been an easy 4/5.

[droidguy1119]

A Christmas Carol without Patrick Stewart or Bill Murray = fail.This is totally off-topic, but does anyone think the fourth-wall-breaking song at the end of Scrooged totally ruins the moment? 'Cause I kind of do.

[gmanca]

I thought a Muppet Christmas Carol with Michael Caine was pretty good.

[Solid Snake PAC]

I saw it last night. The story is still classic. Zemeckis probably uses 3D better than any director out there. There's some silly moments, but like some here have said already, there are some genuinely scary moments that will scary some of the little kiddies (wimps, heh). Anyway, good holiday fun.

James Cameron may like to have a word w/ you.

[Brack]

James Cameron may like to have a word w/ you.
Is that all it takes to get great directors to talk to me? ;) Perhaps so, I never got around to seeing his 3D documentaries (I don't think they played where I live). I will say that the Avatar 3D trailer before ACC has definitely made it a must-see film this holiday season.

[spammied]

we saw it this weekend. Much better than I thought it was going to be. Should you decide to go, 3D is the way to see it. Whoever posted about scaring the little kids, I can see how the little kids would be scared. There were some good one-liners in there too. LOL
What was that line that is similar to that stupid line... IT IS WHAT IT IS? I cant remember it. LOL

[fernsita]

I really enjoyed the 3D aspect of this film too. I was surprised, but my theater was packed. I don't have children, so I don't know how they would react to the film but I was surely at the edge of my seat the entire time, but in a good way! It was a great twist to the classic story.

[Giles]

the child behind me was absolutely freaking out during the more intense moments, as for the 'Future' ghost - I loved how he was for the most part a shadow. The extended chase sequence as someone pointed out did seem a bit gratuitous. Visually I thought it was stunning, notably during the 'Present' Ghost scene and the two of them looking down from the floorless room. But!.... I had hoped to have seen this in IMAX-Digital and/or over at Georgetown, since it's one of the largest 3D digital screens, but no, I settled with Regal Bethesda's new Sony 4K system, the colors were fine, but the screen wasn't set up for the film's 2.35:1 aspect ratio, I complained to management to open up the sides, they didn't :mad2: secondly, Regal Bethesda is notorious for having some of the worst brightly lit exit signs, literally right next to the screens, for 'Christmas Carol' nearly all the dark scenes were ruined by this - needless to say, unless they plan on changing over to the less light 'green' exit signs, I don't see myself going back to Regal Bethesda anytime soon.

[fernsita]

It sucks that the theater ruined a bit of your movie experience Giles! Now that I think about it, I don't think I saw many kids in the theater when I went to go see the film. It was Saturday evening/night so I guess that's why? I agree about the shadow for the 'Future' ghost..loved it too!

[Giles]

It sucks that the theater ruined a bit of your movie experience Giles! Now that I think about it, I don't think I saw many kids in the theater when I went to go see the film. It was Saturday evening/night so I guess that's why? I agree about the shadow for the 'Future' ghost..loved it too!

out of curiousity, what theatre did you see the movie at? I thought on the whole the movie really retained the dark side of the story to excellent effect, it plays to both kids AND adults, moreso to the latter though. The scene where Crachet is "looking" towards Scrooge on the steps was one of the rare moments in the film where Zemekis brought such an emotional sadness to the character and Scrooge's realization that his actions were having such a unfortunate cause and effect to those around him

[fernsita]

I see we both live in Washington D.C.! I was actually in New York City last weekend so I saw it with a friend in Jersey City.