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Before I started to write this, I looked up A Christmas Carol to see how many versions of this story have been filmed over the years. Charles Dickens' original story was first published in December of 1843 and has never been out of print since, so one would rightfully assume there have been quite a few film versions by now, and there have, too many to list here. But when everyone from George C. Scott to Bill Murray to Michael Caine to, yes, even Fred Flintstone, have played the part of Ebenezer Scrooge, you kind of have to ask yourself if we really need yet another version. And … a version filmed in motion capture with Jim Carrey playing Scrooge? Do we need that? Really?

Yes. Yes, we do.

I'm going to admit straight away here, I am not a Jim Carrey fan. I think most of the time he gets carried away with shameless mugging and doesn't know when to stop and I find that just plain annoying. Although … if one really thinks about it, that shameless mugging has more to do with the director of the film who just didn't rein in the star. Jim Carrey can be good, what he needs is the right director.

Also, I am not much of a fan of the motion capture style of filming. Mostly, it looks creepy to me. I really didn't care for how it looked in the film The Polar Express, thought it completely ruined that wonderful story. But I do have to admit each time it's used in films, the process seems to improve and look better, less creepy.

So walking in to see Disney's A Christmas Carol, it sort of had the deck stacked against it, at least for me … not a Jim Carrey fan, don't much like motion capture. I had seen snippets of the film earlier this year though when I went to the Christmas Carol Train Tour in Los Angeles and what I saw, I liked. That gave me hope the film would be good.

I remember at the train tour hearing Robert Zemeckis (above left), the director of A Christmas Carol, speak about why he chose to film this story yet again. His reasoning was that we now have the technology to really do the story justice, to film it as it was written, to be very true to the original story. And this, the movie does and does very well. The film is not only beautiful (and kind of amazing), in such scenes as when the characters are racing over and around the buildings of 19th century London, but it's also a proper ghost story as it should be, true to the words Charles Dickens penned.

A Christmas Carol is the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly, miserable, old man who ultimately, ends up finding redemption after the visits of four ghosts on Christmas Eve. In most of the previous filmed versions of A Christmas Carol the ghosts just haven't been all that scary. This newest incarnation of the tale however, gets it right. The ghosts visiting Scrooge one by one are properly frightening. So much so that I would caution you dear readers, they may be too intense for the littlest of kiddies. As for me, I loved them from the first clank of Marley's chains as he flings his money boxes through Scrooge's bedroom door to land on the floor with a deafening thud, to the last boney finger of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come pointing at Scrooge's lifeless body.

As I previously said, the film looks beautiful. The detail lavished on the London landscape is quite sumptuous, as are the interior sets of the film. When Scrooge encounters the Ghost Of Christmas Present, we find the ghost atop a tree-shaped mountain of delicious food, in a room lit by glittering light that looks as though it's reflecting from a thousand crystals, as melodious sounds tinkle out from magnificent giant, golden music boxes. The door knocker on Scrooge's door that briefly turns into Marley's face, the spectral way Marley floats in the air, the beautiful interior of Fred's (Scrooge's nephew voiced by Colin Firth) house, the ghostly black carriage pulled by velvety black steeds … ahhh, it's all rich in detail and gorgeously rendered.

So … the film looks good, it's true to Dickens' original story, but what about Jim Carrey? He's darned good too. As much as I didn't want to like him, I really liked him a lot. He got the right director, a director who didn't let him get away with his schtick and as a result, we really get to see him act. Scrooge still looks like Jim Carrey but after a couple of minutes into the film, I pretty much forgot I was watching Jim Carrey play Scrooge and was just watching Ebenezer Scrooge (and the half dozen other parts Carrey plays).

Which brings us down to only one thing left to discuss here, motion capture. It's still a little creepy, I'm not going tell you otherwise. But really, I didn't mind it at all. In fact, I don't think this film could be what it is without motion capture. Zemeckis was right, the technology is perfect for this story. I guess if you really hate the motion capture process, then this film may not be for you, but I have to tell you, you need to see A Christmas Carol anyway. Give it a shot, it's a very good film.

Let's sum it all up then, Jim Carrey – a darned good Ebenezer Scrooge, motion capture – works well for the film, Disney's A Christmas Carol – might just be a new Christmas classic.

I always see films at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood so let me brief you on what's in store for you should you choose to see A Christmas Carol there. Before the film you get, of course, Rob Richards' terrific organ music, which is all Christmasy and really puts you in the Christmas mood. But wait … there's more, Disney's Holiday Spectacular takes the stage after Rob. It's a stage show filled with your favorite holiday tunes, singing, dancing, your favorite Disney characters, and snow! It's cute and perfect Disney Cheese (that means it's good).

The fine folks at the El Capitan have brought in many of the great pieces from the Christmas Carol Train Tour for you to see too - artifacts from the Charles Dickens Museum in London, concept art, models, maquettes, and costumes from the film.

And as they always do, the Disney Soda Fountain next door is offering a special treat concocted just for the film, Tiny Tim's Treat – a sundae made up of candy cane ice cream, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream, all dusted with peppermint and served with two gold and silver foil-wrapped Victorian era style coins for $5.95 (or £3.60 as their flyer states). There isn't much in the way of A Christmas Carol merchandise in the Studio Store (a t-shirt, key chain, & book mark), but they do have a small but nice selection of regular Disney Christmas merchandise to choose from.

The Details

Digitally projected in 3D, A Christmas Carol runs through January 3rd at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.

Organist Rob Richards performs before each screening on the Mighty Wurlitzer, and there is a live holiday stage show before the film starts. There are also displays in the lobby and downstairs which detail the making of the film.

Show times (subject to change, of course) are:

10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, and 9:45pm

General Admission Prices are:

Adult $16 | Child (3-11) & Senior (60+) $14 | Group (20+) $12

VIP Admission (includes popcorn, soft drink, reserved seat and no waiting in line):

$26

Mickey Holiday Character Breakfast (8:30am) + Movie (10am show):

Adult $36 | Child (3-11) & Senior (60+) $34 | VIP Theater Seating $46

Tickets may be purchased at the theater, via phone at 1-800-DISNEY6 (1-800-347-6396) or online at www.elcapitantickets.com with a service fee added for the latter two methods. (Groups of twenty or more may purchase specially discounted tickets in advance, but this may only be done by calling 1-818-845-3110 as these tickets are not available at the box office.) Birthday parties are also welcomed at the same phone number.

The El Capitan Theater is located in Hollywood California at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard. Theater lobby-validated $2 (first four hours only) parking is available underground in the Hollywood & Highland complex (adjacent to the Chinese Theater) across the street.

A Christmas Carol is rated PG; parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. Scary situations and images. Running time: 1 hour 36 minutes.

Sue Kruse may be e-mailed at [email protected] - Please keep in mind she may not be able to respond to each note personally.

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© 2009 Sue Kruse

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