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“A Christmas Carol” is a Christmas Tradition

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“A Christmas Carol” is classic literature.  It’s a timeless tale about a miserable old miser named Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas and loves money.  This book or novel was written by British author Charles Dickens and published on December 19, 1843.  It’s a story that has been read, adapted to film, and told and retold too many times to count.

In the USA, “A Christmas Carol” is a Christmas tradition.

Honestly! I can not remember a Christmas holiday season that I’ve ever celebrated when I did not watch some version of “A ChristmasCarol”.  I have seen animated versions, musical versions, dramas, etc.  Do I have a favorite version?  Hmmm?  Disney released an animated 3-D movie adaptation in 2009.  Popular comedian/actor Jim Carrey provided the voice for Mr. Scrooge and for several of the other characters in this drama/fantasy.  If I were to give it a rating, I’d generously rate it 4 out of 5 stars and add it to my faves list for enjoyable holiday family entertainment.

But don’t just take my word for it.  There are several highly respected film critics who published reviews.

RogerEbert.com gave it 5 out of 5 stars but the review seemed more like a praise of Robert Zemeckis ability to master 3-D technology for use in filmmaking rather than admiration expressed for the wonderful performances of the voice actors and the retelling or re-spinning of this classic tale.  Not that I don’t appreciate the cool visual effects that can be produced by the marvels of today’s 3-D technology. But let’s face it.  No matter how awesome the photography, images and visual effects are in the three-dimensional film, if the cast can’t pull off a convincing performance and make it all look real and believable, then the motion picture will suck!

My 4 out of 5 stars rating for Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” is for the performances, not for the 3-D production.

To my surprise, many reviewers did not think the content was suitable for children.  WHAT??!!  It’s Disney!!

Here’s what some respected reviewers/film critics had to say about Disney’s’ “A Christmas Carol”.

According to the Washington Post:

  • “Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” is a tall glass of Dickens with a “Beetlejuice” chaser.… Contains creepiness.

Per the New York Times:

  • “ … there are times when the zeal for big, show-stopping effects goes too far,…”
  • “It has some very scary ghosts and decidedly creepy horror-movie effects.”

The review by NPR (National Public Radio, Inc.) was biting and complimentary (sort of):

  • “…It’s like some fiendish plot to turn the wealth of human drama into a demo of the world’s dullest cutting-edge video game. …Nevertheless, Zemeckis’ meticulous 3-D rendering does produce some visual marvels, …”

The Hollywood Reporter expressed that the movie was a disappointment:

  • “Dickens'”A Christmas Carol” is about emotions. … Zemeckis’ “A Christmas Carol” is, in its essence, a product reel, a showy, exuberant demonstration of the glories of motion capture, computer animation and 3D technology. On that level, it’s a wow. On any emotional level, it’s as cold as Marley’s Ghost. … arousing humbug to those who confuse the media for the message.”

WHOA! The reviews by the experts could almost put a damper on your Christmas spirit and make you want to break with tradition.  However, you could accept my opinion that the 3-D Disney version of this Dickens’ classic tale is enjoyable entertainment and if you have not seen it already, then add it to your watch list.

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  • Question of

    Is it a tradition for you to watch “A Christmas Carol” every holiday season?

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  • Question of

    Do you have a holiday tradition, i.e. something you do every Christmas?

    • Yes
    • No

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Written by Cmoneyspinner

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