Disney’s A Christmas Carol 3D….Bah, Humbug?

Who needs another version of the beloved Charles Dickens’ classic, you might ask.  Well, I was thinking the same thing, but this may be one of the best versions to date.  Granted, it’s animated and is in 3D, but Robert Zemeckis’ take on the original black and white, is a sheer delight.

Okay, so we all know the story about the Victorian-era miser named Ebenezer Scrooge who gets taken on a journey of self-redemption, with the help of three ghosts.  I believe I have seen all versions of the tale (I personally always liked the 1970 Albert Finney Scrooge), but I wasn’t too sure about the latest installment to the classic.  I mean, it is a cartoon, right?  Well, not your traditional, run-of-the-mill cartoon by any means.  It is beautifully crafted, so much so, it doesn’t even feel like you are watching animation.  And yes, it is shown in 3D.  Now, when I think of 3D, I think cheesy.  I think the effect was ruined for me back in the 80s with such 3D movies as Jaws III and Friday the 13th III. Let’s just say after seeing these corny fright flicks, my expectations were pretty low for Disney’s A Christmas Carol.  However, I was pleasantly surprised.  The 3D effect was brilliantly used here, and not overused like in some older films.  It’s not so “in your face” or over-the-top, but more like you are actually in the film itself.

There is an all-star cast, which makes the movie even more enjoyable.  Jim Carrey stars as Ebenezer Scrooge, and does an excellent job with his portrayal. In addition, he plays the three ghosts.  Colin Firth, Gary Oldman, Robin Wright-Penn and Carey Elwes also star.  Robert Zemeckis shines with his adaption of A Christmas Carol.  In fact, many movie critics are calling it one of his most polished pieces to date.  You may know this director by a famous collection of films including Forrest Gump, Back to the Future, and his other well loved animation, The Polar Express starring Tom Hanks.  Many seem to think that Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol may become more popular than The Polar Express.  This could indeed happen as crowds rush to the theater to see the season’s hottest new film.

I will say though, A Christmas Carol is not recommended for young children.  Parents may be confused by this since this is a Disney animation, two words that children love dearly.  However, in this case, there are quite a few mature scenes, some even considered frightening and dark.  In addition, Zemeckis’ makes much use of Old English dialogue, which may not be easy to understand for younger viewers.

So now that I know what magic and intelligence this new version of A Christmas Carol possesses, I definitely urge those who ask the question, “Why another?” to change their mindset and get to the theater this holiday season to see this beloved classic come to life in a whole new, refreshing way.