REEL REVUE DOUBLE FEATURE: A Christmas Carol

The epic holiday Dickens tale, "A Christmas Carol," is retold through the mind of director Robert Zemeckis and by Jim Carrey who not only play the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge, but in fact plays seven other characters in the film.

In the film, Scrooge, a bitter and miserly old moneylender, holds everything that embodies the joys and spirit of Christmas in contempt, keeping to himself and being nasty to people, including his employee Bob Cratchit (Gary Oldman).

On Christmas night, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley. Marley warns Scrooge that he must repent from his greedy ways, or he will end up like him. Marley foretells Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts to help guide him through a journey of self-redemption, Carrey plays or voices the three spirits, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet To Come.

Once Scrooge has seen what the past, present and future have foretold, Scrooge repents from his selfish and greedy ways and immediately sets out to atone for his sins spending the remainder of his life a new man embodying the spirit of Christmas itself.

Going into this, I was expected to see a majestic animated film like The Polar Express, but at many times in this film, this film was rather boring, because I have seen this story and the animation really didn't produce anything new.

I commend Carrey on playing so many roles in one film, a first for his career, and I wouldn't surprised if his performance is recognized come award season.

Zemeckis who has previously this type of animated spin on 2004's Polar Express and 2007's Beowulf, really didn't need to go this route for the film, even in 3D, there really was no "Wow" factor like there was in Polar Express.

The film also featured scenes that were at times a bit too frightening for children, including the scenes featuring The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come of who Carrey provided the cryptic voice for.

Overall this film wasn't all bad, the cast delivered strong performances including Carrey, Colin Firth as Carrey's nephew Fred, Bob Hoskins as Fezziwig plus the multiple roles of Cary Elwes and Robin Wright Penn (who the last time they were on screen together was The Princess Bride).

You've read my review, now for all you "Twi-Hards" check out the Reel Revue page for the second half of the Reel Revue Double Feature with my review of "New Moon."