A Christmas Carol Movie Review

Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale “A Christmas Carol” is relieved by writer/director Robert Zemeckis starring Jim Carrey who takes on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge and all three ghosts that haunt him. Zemeckis adapted the Dickens novel himself keeping faithful to the original story, dialogue, and tone.

The story of Ebenezer Scrooge starts on Christmas holiday possessing his usual hatred while scolding his faithful clerk (Gary Oldman) and his cheery nephew (Colin Firth). However things were bound to take a different turn for him as he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. He is taken on an eye-opening journey to truths he was afraid to face. Old Scrooge will learn that he must open his heart to undo the past and fix the present before it is too late.

Earning much credit for the film is its mind-blowing special effect using striking visual cinematic tools and 3D effects. While watching, it provides audience the feeling of actually experiencing the scenes firsthand, like being taken inside the dark world the film is set in. The barrier between the viewers and the screen is broken.

All the performances were exceptionally great starting from the versatile lead Jim Carrey portraying an assortment of characters uniquely. Those that stood out were Gary Oldman provided with three roles as well including crippled child Tiny Tim, Colin Firth as the cheerful nephew, and Bob Hoskins as Mr. Fezziwig. The film owes their beautiful narration and immense flexibility, especially for stars to portray several roles, to the 3D effects and magnificent cinematography by production designer Doug Chiang. Giving another boost to the film is Andrea Bocelli’s emotional performance of the credits song “God Bless Us Everyone”.

The only fallback I see from the film is how it seems to dark for children to watch. But with effects alone, the film would surely sail higher than its predecessor “Polar Express”.