DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL
RYAN: After seeing “A Christmas Carol,” all I can say is, “Now that’s a movie!”
CAROLINE: Well, it’s an animated movie. I’ll give you that. It’s in 3D and the animation itself is pretty incredible.
RYAN: It’s phenomenal! Robert Zemeckis’s technique is so fabulous. The characters look real, and you can see the actors’ facial expressions in them. And Jim Carrey gives an amazing performance. If the goal of a movie is to transport you into another world, then this one really does it.
CAROLINE: I don’t usually like animated movies, but this one is good. A lot of it has to do with the story; it’s such a classic that no one will ever tire of it. I wish they’d gotten to the ghost part quicker. The beginning dragged a little for me.
RYAN: It didn’t drag for me at all, but I’m biased because this is from my favorite director, Robert Zemeckis. I appreciate and study every shot.
CAROLINE: Any thoughts on the 3D? It was cool but it didn’t wow me.
RYAN: I thought it would be a little more impactful. It was good in the scary moments though, which there are a few of. I think we just get desensitized to the 3D when we’re watching movies like this.
CAROLINE: I’m glad you mentioned the scary parts because there are definitely some scenes that would freak out little kids. It’s a creepy movie, especially when those Ignorance and Want kids come out from under the ghost’s skirt.
RYAN: I loved that about this movie. There were parts that scared me just as much as “Paranormal Activity.” But it’s a delightful kind of creepy. I think if Charles Dickens were alive to see this movie, he’d be bursting with joy.
CAROLINE: It stayed very true to the story and reminded me of seeing the live-action version when I was younger. I’m a little confounded at this movie’s release date though. Don’t you think it should be coming in three weeks or something? I’m not ready to hear Christmas carols just yet.
RYAN: That’s a good point. I guess they’re getting on the bandwagon with all the department stores who are marketing Christmas earlier and earlier every year.
CAROLINE: I just don’t want people to resent it. I think I would have liked this movie a little more if I’d seen it in December and was already feeling the Christmas spirit.
RYAN: I, for one, am going to see it again in the theater and I can’t wait. Can we talk more about Jim Carrey for a sec? He was so good. And I love that the same actor has now played Scrooge, the Grinch and the evil Count Olaf in the Lemony Snicket movie.
CAROLINE: He voices several of characters in this movie; Scrooge at every age plus all three ghosts. It must have been a lot of work for him.
RYAN: Especially considering Robert Zemeckis’s technique of filming the actors and then animating over them. I also really liked Gary Oldman as Bob Cratchit. Robin Wright Penn has a little part too.
CAROLINE: Also listen for Cary Elwes and Colin Firth.
— BOTTOM LINE —
RYAN: It’s a spectacular movie and a must see on the big screen in 3D. I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s a perfect movie.
CAROLINE: I think you’re taking it a little too far. It’s enjoyable, but to me no animated movie can compete with a live-action one. They even have a whole separate category at the Oscars.
RYAN: I just think this is the kind of movie they could re-release around the holidays every year. I’d totally go back to the theater and see it again ten years from now. How many movies can you say that about?
CAROLINE: I obviously didn’t enjoy it as much as you did, but I did like it and I thought it was quite good as far as animated movies go. But it had the built-in great story already, so that helped. The animation is incredible; it’s amazing what they can do these days. So, as much as I’m capable of enjoying an animated film, I enjoyed this one.
— RATING —
