| Dir. Robert Zemeckis, USA , 96 minutes, 2009
Cast. Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins
Review by Michelle Moore
Over the years there have been numerous adaptations of the Charles Dickens' story A Christmas Carol , going back to a one reel silent version in 1908. Disney alone has made three versions in 26 years including Mickey's Christmas Carol in 1983, distributing The Muppet Christmas Carol in 1992 and now this new 3D adaptation.
In this version of the much loved tale, the character of Mr Scrooge, an old and bitter financier, who shows more concern for his wealth than his family, love and the Christmas season, is voiced by funny man Carrey. Carrey rarely supplies the voice for animated features. The only other you are likely to recall is Horton Hears a Who! Here he not only voices elderly Scrooge, but Scrooge as a young and middle-aged man and the three Ghosts of Christmas – Past, Present and Christmas Yet To Come. Carrey is a man of many talents and he makes the characters come alive with both personality and humour.
As you sit watching this 3D tale, expect many jumps, a few gasps and the occasional yelp! Scrooge's first encounter with the ghostly Jacob Marley (Oldman) is the first time you experience how different this one is from others of the title. Even though it follows in the footsteps of the ones before, with Scrooge being taken on a journey of redemption for his past and realising the true meaning of Christmas, and though this one may be once again aimed at children, it has a much spookier and rather chilling nature. Frightening visions appearing from nowhere, such as devil horses with red eyes and rotting corpses, which may well be terrifying both to youngsters and indeed to any adults, who are prone to being easily scared. Spooky moments apart though, the film also has a magical and sparkling quality, much enhanced by the 3D images, which not only leap out of the screen, but engulf you for example with a sprinkle of snow. Camera shots take you soaring high above the trees, around rooftops, through Christmas reefs and under the arms of market traders. Think of the flying scene in The Snowman but much more breathtaking!
This is no ordinary animated tale, as there is much more detail put into the appearance of the characters, giving the story a much more realistic feel. You can see every wrinkle and ex press ion on the faces of the characters and details such as misty breath showing the room getting colder all add to the illusion. A Christmas Carol will have you experiencing a range of emotions – anxiety, fright and sorrow, as well as excitement, contentment and that good old Christmas cheer. |
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