A Christmas Carol [Blu-ray] |  | Director: Robert Zemeckis
Actors: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Category: DVD
This item is no longer available
Rating:  42 reviews
Language: English (Unknown)
Media: Blu-ray
Region: 1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 98 Minutes
ASIN: B001PR0YDU
Theatrical Release Date: November 6, 2009
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Fans of Robert Zemeckis's brilliant special effects, and of Jim Carrey's transformative acting abilities, will be swept away by their collaboration in the stunning A Christmas Carol. Perhaps more surprising is that Charles Dickens purists will also be impressed and captivated by this version of the oft-told tale--which is dark, complex, and in its way, uncompromising. Which is all to say that this Christmas Carol is an instant holiday classic, easily taking its place alongside the Alistair Sim version, the Patrick Stewart version, and even the Mr. Magoo version of the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his ultimate holiday redemption. Carrey is dazzling as not only Scrooge, the most miserable, and miserly, man in 19th-century England, but as the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future. As with The Polar Express, Zemeckis animates the film over the actors' physical performances onscreen, but here, the emotion is intact--even heightened by the spiffy effects. Joining Carrey in the cast are terrific players, including Gary Oldman (Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and the ghost of Marley), Cary Elwes, Bob Hoskins, and Robin Wright Penn. But the heart of the film is Carrey, whose dramatic acting has shone in films like The Truman Show and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. The emotional connection Carrey makes with his characters is what brings Dickens's classic alive--and what connects the viewer with the true spirit of the holidays. "God bless us, every one." --A.T. Hurley
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 42
 An animated film that quietly attempts to redefine American animation January 6, 2010
Gregory N. Perkins (Frankfort, KY USA)
This is a superb movie. Robert Zemeckis, Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, et al. give us a movie of "A Christmas Carol" that, while animated, demands to be seen with the same sophistication and maturity level as its live-action counterparts.
Actually, this reminds me of older Disney films, with the visual artistry of "Banbi" or "Peter Pan." In more modern times, Japanese anime seems to be a stylistic influence on this picture. Jim Carrey is positively brilliant as Ebenezzer Scrooge, in addition to every ghost outside of Jacob Marley. It is truly astounding how Carrey makes the viewer forget his claim to fame as a comedian and marvel at his vocal work, as he effortlessly runs a very wide gamut that puts him in company with the animation vocal artist masters.
Gary Oldman is also a standout vocally in three roles, as Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley, and Tiny Tim. As Marley, he is particularly impressive as a model of fierce repentance and conviction.
If you a parent of a young child, please try to take the time to screen this in advance of them seeing it. It is not geared for children, and does not make storytelling concessions for them. Every child is different, but I am trying to give a fair warning.
This is a brilliant movie that does not sacrifice a mature Dickensian feel one bit. It will probably be nominated for a Best Animated Feature Oscar, and I highly recommend seeing it.
 Could Be Better with Jim Carrrey Himself, Not Performance Captured January 4, 2010
Tsuyoshi (Kyoto, Japan)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Robert Zemeckis' new "A Christmas Carol" story is an animated film using the art of "performance capture," where actors' movements are digitally recorded and translated into CGI. So what you will see here is not Jim Carrey himself, but the computer graphic animation of Jim Carrey. Considering his superb performance as Count Olaf in "Lemony Snicket's a Series of Unfortunate Events," I think Jim Carrey playing Scrooge in a live-action film would be a better choice, but it seems Mr. Zemeckis didn't think so.
(By the way, I have watched the film in the conventional 2-D format. These 3-D glasses are too much of a distraction for me.)
The classic story of Charles Dickens needs no new introduction. Old miser Scrooge is given a chance to reform his life through the visitation of three ghosts. The basic storyline remains the same in Disney's adaptation, but it seems Robert Zemeckis thought he needed something new to sort of spice up the content.
Besides the aforementioned performance capture and 3-D, Robert Zemeckis-directed "A Christmas Carol" stars Jim Carrey in multiple roles. That means he plays Scrooge (young and old) as well as the three ghosts. Not only that. Most co-stars play more than one character in Mr. Zemeckis' version. So, (animated) Gary Oldman "plays" the three roles - Bob Cratchit, Marley and Tiny Tim. But what is the point of doing this?
The tone of the film is also pretty different at times, compared with other versions. As some reviewers have pointed out, some scenes (especially the entrance of Marley's ghost) will be scary for kids and, perhaps, even for adults. The second half of the film contains a rather lengthy "chase" scene of the mouse-sized Scrooge. But do we really need this?
Obviously Robert Zemeckis, whose recent works include "The Polar Express" and "Beowulf," thinks the cinema's future lies in the advanced visual technologies. Whether he is right or not is yet to see, but for those who still remember Mr. Zemeckis as the creator of imaginative and innovative "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" like me, what really matters in making people happy is something else.
Excellent rendition of the story. January 2, 2010
Julia C. Hoover (Danville, Pennsylvania)
The movie did an excellent job of balancing the romance and poverty of Victorian London. The special effects were phenomenal. The lessons for Scrooge were driven home in both practical and theological ways. I was very impressed. The need to drive fear into Scrooge is critical to his transformation, making this inappropriate for easily frightened small children -- I did bring my 4 and 6 year old to see the movie, and it was all right, but I might not do it a second time because the effects were quite potent. That being said, I would like to see it myself again in 3D.
Interestingly, Scrooge does seem to do a lot of falling in the movie...
The cinematography and effects call to mind the first Narnia (Lion/Witch/Wardrobe) rendition (Disney). Truly, it was well done, and I highly recommend it. I will purchase it when it comes out.
 Not a Carrey fan December 31, 2009
Kim Dyer (Holt, MI USA)
I generally don't like Jim Carrey. There have been several movies I've avoided because he was in it. But I do like "Christmas Carol", and have several different versions in my very small DVD collection.
"Marley was dead: to begin with." The story is a classic. Many of the lines in most versions, even 1960s TV cartoons, are lifted word for word from the text of Dickens' story. We are NOT going to get surprises here. We should know this going in as surely as we know "Marley was dead: to being with."
The 3D effects in this version were a bit overdone in places. The director seemed to forget the story in favor of the effects.
Having said that, this movie does an admirable job of presenting the tale. I can't think of another version where ALL the ghosts are quite as frightening in their own way. I don't buy many DVDs, but I will be getting this one when it comes out.
BEST FILUM OI SEEN IN DECADES December 28, 2009
Mr Pineapples (Rural England)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As they say in Cockney East End of London:
"Gawdon Bennet! Mr P saw da 2D version an' loved i' so rabi' 'utch (much)what He returned ter see da 3D - cost an arm an a leg - 2D - wiv ma Butcher's knife (wife)an' two bin lids (kids) and 3D an' wiv ma Butcher's knife plus anuvver ov me bin lids plus 'is girlfriend. A King's Ransom ov cost.
But worf every bleedin' pund an' penny.......
Mr P is a Charles Dickens aficionado - an' 'as read "A Christmas Carol" ter all ov His children - each Christmas they listen as Mr P reads extracts befawer Christmas Brady Bunch - i' is an utterly compellin' an' not-to-be-missed experience.
The movie is very true ter da Shufty in da nook althuff I do note what Bob Cratche' is 18 minutes late ter drives me bizurke in Dickens' accoun' an' not 16 minutes (check i' out). The only disappointmen' is da final ghost who appears as a shadow - what an oppawtuni'y missed - I am surprised da Disney team didn't make tug ov war ov dis figure.
But deese are minor criticisms.
I sat thuff bof movies wiv either a very large smile, britney spears (tears)in me dots an' dyes (eyes) awer a butcher's 'ook (look) ov amazemen' an' awe on me face. I was transpawted be be mack ter Dickensian London an' what an experience i' was. I gasped in amazemen' at da graphics virtually froughout.
In da 3D I felt as if I was actually walkin' da London streets, da snowflakes fell onto me lap, an' I almost reached aaaht ter touch da beard ov da Ghost ov Christmas Present.
It was an double glazin experience.
I followed Scrooge as 'e soared ken' n dover da roof-tops ov London an' around da buildings wiv me stomach makin' whoops an' dives in conjuncshun. Exhilaratin' - just like a bonnie & clyde (ride) on da big-dipper.
This was da most enjoyable an' satisfyin' movie what I 'ave seen in decades.
. OK?"
In truth - this really was the best film I have seen in decades. It was exhilarating and inspirational. There was so much of the human spirit conveyed in the expressions of the animated characters.
Dickens London came alive and I was transported (as it seemed) back to that time.
Wonderful.....
Showing reviews 1-5 of 42
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