© Disney
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Released 6th November 2009
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With the nights growing longer and the shops shimmering with glitter, it’s hard not to get into the festive feeling, and be drawn to the nearest Christmas flick on offer. This year that would be Disney’s A Christmas Carol, all in 3D. Getting in early on the act - and even earlier if you count the glimpse at Cannes this year, and released on 6th November, is special effects guru Robert Zemeckis‘ version of Charles Dickens‘ 166-year-old novella of redemption, a stalwart classic that has been reinvented many times over the years for the silly season in both traditional and contemporary versions. What is surprising is that Zemeckis has not taken up the well-worn reigns before now and adapted it into his own zany, breathtaking 3D vision. The screenwriter/director has gone for the traditional plot, keeping it topical, heartfelt and immensely witty.
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Fans of Beowulf are in for a treat because this film adopts the same motion-capture style (Real 3D) by animating real actors to look like animated versions of themselves, but still resulting in that slightly eerie effect, complete with almost soulless eyes in some cases that made the 2007 hit so striking for film-goers. In addition, it does suffer from that reoccurring 3D-film problem, where 3D detail is lost in darker, action-packed parts. Nevertheless, this film definitely offers more innovative camera angles that greater enhance detail, depth of field and visual interest, as we journey through the three ghosts’ scenarios. Of particular visual awe are the multi-dimensional angles of the Ghost of Christmas Present’s recreations, and the varying colour and light/darkness palette used to greater intensify moods and emotions. Indeed 3D is the only way to fully appreciate the work that has gone into these, and having not seen it on an IMAX screen, one can only imagine how much more effective these would be.
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It is the Ghost of Christmas Past, a flickering flame that is the most amusing ghost to watch, providing many giggles for its naff break-dancing moves than its banter. Admittedly, Zemeckis’ script plays second fiddle to the visuals, which is hardly surprising in the circumstances, but the crux of the Dickens dialgoue is clearly present. Zemeckis keeps the appearance of the first ghost less terrifying and more light-hearted for younger viewers. Saying that the Ghost of Jacob Marley that is the very first spirit to appear may have some smaller viewers cowering in their seats, so parents, be warned.
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What this film does provide is a brilliant platform for the many voices of Jim Carrey to growl, whoop and burst forth - thankfully with less irritating enthusiasm and bounce as his Grinch in 2000, so do not be quick to write off this film, if an über-excitable Carrey in costume springs to mind. Indeed, Carrey retreats more into character this time, bringing to life one of the best motion-capture character-acting roles to date as Ebenezer Scrooge, an OCD-inflicted, miserly bureaucrat. In comparison, the characters played by Gary Oldman as Scrooge’s loyal Bob Cratchit, Bob Hoskins as Mr. Fezziwig, or Colin Firth as Scrooge’s merry nephew Fred are far more obvious as the actors themselves - to the point of the latter being literally an animated impersonation of Mr Darcy, complete with confident swagger and clipped gentlemanly tones, but without the swoon factor.
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So, is it a 2009 Christmas Carol worth singing aloud about? Quite simply, yes, because of its stimulating visual effects, its ultimate festive cheer factor, and its soberingly poignant morals (in these credit crunch times) that are not lost on anyone. Whether a fan of Zemeckis’s animation or not, this is an indisputably entertaining 3D-animated Christmas feast to be shared with the family that would prick 3D fans’ curiosity, without all the Oxford Street promotional push it’s getting.
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By Lisa Keddie
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Synopsis
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Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of an old miser who must face Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come, as they help to bring kindness to his otherwise cold heart. The Ghosts remind him of the man he used to be, the hard truth of what the world is today, and what will happen if he does not strive to be a better man. Set around Christmas, the most joyous day of the year, Scrooge realizes the sharp contrast of his own personality.
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Film Facts
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Official site: tbc
UK Release Date: 6th November 2009
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writers: Robert Zemeckis, Charles Dickens (novel)
Cast: Jim Carrey (‘Scrooge/Ghost of Christmas Past/Scrooge as a Young Boy/Scrooge as a Teenage Boy/Scrooge as a Young Man/Scrooge as a Middle-Aged Man/Ghost of Christmas Present/Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come’ (voice)), Gary Oldman (’Bob Cratchit/Marley/Tiny Tim’ (voice)), Colin Firth (’Fred’ (voice)), Robin Wright Penn (’Fan/Belle’ (voice)), Bob Hoskins (’Mr. Fezziwig/Old Joe (voice)), Cary Elwes (’Portly Gentleman #1/Dick Wilkins/Mad Fiddler/Guest #2/Business Man #1′ (voice))
Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures UK
Certificate: PG
Run-time: tbc
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Video on Real.com
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Trailer:
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REAL EXCLUSIVE: Colin Firth (’Fred’) Interview:
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REAL EXCLUSIVE: Robert Zemeckis Interview:
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EXCLUSIVE CLIP: Fezziwig’s:
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A Christmas Carol In London - Boris Johnson:
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