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A Christmas Carol (2009)

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Time Out rating

Average user rating

16 reviews

Synopsis

Director Robert Zemeckis uses the motion-capture techniques developed in his previous film, 'Beowulf', to tell re-spin Charles Dickens's Christmas classic with an all-star voice cast.

Movie review

From Time Out London

The third ‘performance capture’ animation from writer-director Robert Zemeckis – following ‘The Polar Express’ and ‘Beowulf’ – takes Dickens’s cautionary and sentimental 1840s novella and delivers a visually arresting but surprisingly ghoulish and family-unfriendly ghost ride.
Not unlike the latest ‘Harry Potter’, it opens with a fantastic, technically superb aerial swoop over the teeming streets of London but, from there on, seems uncomfortable on the ground. To an extent, this ‘Christmas Carol’ is a case of style – and stylisation – overwhelming substance. The technology’s developing competence in delivering texture and vertiginous line and scale deny any sense of intimacy in the film’s settings, from the oceanic swathes of planked floorboard that Scrooge paces in his lending-house, to the restlessly changing angles from which poor, trusting Bob Cratchit’s (Gary Oldman) festive table is viewed in his cold, humble dwelling.

Likewise, despite staying true to Dickens’s dialogue, the characterisations are opaque, as facial expressions and people’s eyes are often creepily indistinct. How can we judge, for instance, Jim Carrey’s acting when he has provided a database of performances in his six incarnations? He plays Ebenezer Scrooge as a lonely schoolboy, heedless young lover and elderly curmudgeon and is also the ghosts of past, present and future – which means that possible pathos and sympathy is trumped by the surreal and impersonal spectacle of endless metamorphoses. That said, cinematographer Robert Presley and the design team provide many instances of graphical triumph, influenced by silent cinema, the spirit of Tim Burton and – in Scrooge’s moment of torment in the dockside murk and mist – David Lean. What the film suffers from is a want of common comfort, despite its nominally redemptive, happy ending.

Author: Wally Hammond 2009-11-03 10:41:42

Time Out London Issue 2046: 5-11 November, 2009

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User reviews of this film

wendy181 said...

Posted on Nov 29 2009 11:34 I previously gave this film the thumbs down but we did not see it in 3d so I think it must be much better he we had.

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ajabina said...

Posted on Nov 28 2009 12:34 can someone tell me if this film is good or not
and please tell me today

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Stella said...

Posted on Nov 24 2009 13:36 Can anyone explain the difference between seeing this in 3D on an IMAX screen as opposed to DIGITAL 3D in other cinemas. Is one better than the other?

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Talby said...

Posted on Nov 23 2009 16:15 My husband and I saw this is 3D and thought it was excellent with some very scary moments. Certainly I would recommend it for adults and children maybe 10 years or so upwards but no way would I recommend taking younger children or children of a nervous imagination. Not recommended as a "feel good lead up to Christmas movie" but definitely worth seeing - especially in 3D.

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Katie J & Ellie G said...

Posted on Nov 22 2009 15:23 Absoloutly fab! This was an extraudinary feilm despite the fact that the adverts were more 3d than the film. Tips: Do not see it in 3D :D lol xxxx

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-kiishaaa- said...

Posted on Nov 21 2009 19:03 :S not sure if i should watch this film ??

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Sophie said...

Posted on Nov 21 2009 18:41 1st of all discusted in the price to watch a film? £9.45 for an adult and £7.05 for a child at the Vue in Cheshire Oaks, plus sweets and drinks blah, blah! Wait til it comes out on DVD i say and watch it in the comfort of your own home as the cinema was packed, had really bad seats. The 3D quality was excellent but the film was a huge disapointment, not very warm and christmasy, i know it's all about Scrouge but... Not suitable for children under 10, very dark, my 6 year old did not enjoy it, was bored and asking to go home! I wouldn't bother wasting the time or money to be honest, treat the family to a game of bowling or something instead, much more fun and cheaper!!!!!

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Jayvee said...

Posted on Nov 20 2009 17:51 An excellent fikm but not suitable for young children under about 10.

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steve t said...

Posted on Nov 18 2009 07:45 Fantastic film the atmosphere of the Dickens novel comes through giving you a feeling of actually being there. The 3D effects are stunning and this must be the future of cinema to come. The film sticks well to the original story and portrays it well and my whole family enjoyed the experience . Well recommended!!!

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BbyGal said...

Posted on Nov 16 2009 16:00 This film was oright but i wouldnt go see it again... i like the way it was in 3d and the eeffects of the snow and stuff but it was very much like all the rest of the film like all dogs christmas caral ( but i liked that better ) i was not expecting it to be great but i was bored and just wanted it end what i didnt think i would feel like x

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Wen181 said...

Posted on Nov 12 2009 12:45 Awful film. No warmth. technically amazing but too much of it and the characters were so ugly.

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Gobinder said...

Posted on Nov 09 2009 10:40 Captures the atmosphere of Dickens perfectly,butt it does have a little too much darknes and some children may be frightened. Hovever,it is still an excellent film and well woth seeing.

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bob said...

Posted on Nov 08 2009 19:02 Little bit darker than I expected and the film seemed to end very fast. It didnt show much of scrooge been good and spending his money. The film in 3d did look fantastic and Jim carrey did play a good roll. Overall a good film that could of been better

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steve said...

Posted on Nov 08 2009 14:40 Superb! True to the original Dickens, brilliantly and beautifully animated, an unforgetable fim. And the closing song over the credits will bring tears to your eyes.

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Salvatore said...

Posted on Nov 08 2009 00:12 GREAT! GREAT! GREAT! THE best 3-D ever!
Everyone should go!!!! And be ready to be thrilled!!!

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