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.
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