SYNOPSIS:
Ebenezer Scrooge (Sir Michael Caine) is a wicked, greedy old man, pinching every penny he has and turning up his nose at the Christmas cheer surrounding him. But late on Christmas Eve, he's visited by three spirits who give him a glimpse of his past, present, and future, in hopes of changing his mind and saving him from eternal damnation.
REVIEW:
The classic Charles Dickens novel comes to the big screen, this time in the form of Muppets! Honestly, I grew up with Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983), but I couldn't easily find a copy to watch tonight, so I went with my second-favorite version, The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992).
Sir Michael Caine plays his part very well. He claimed that he was going to play it like he's working with the Royal Shakespeare Company; very serious and dramatic as if he wasn't surrounded by puppets. And it worked perfectly for the character of Scrooge! Despite the silliness of the muppets all around him, Scrooge is unfaltering in his serious and grumpy demeanor. As he's experiencing his journey, I truly felt the heartbreak of Scrooge as he begins to worry for Tiny Tim's well-being. The fear he felt for his own potential future could also be experienced as he begged on his knees, crying. There's a reason Sir Michael Caine is one of the most acclaimed actors in the world. He actually got his knighthood in recognition for his contribution to cinema.
Gonzo the Great plays Charles Dickens, narrating the movie throughout with his sidekick, Rizzo the Rat. Both of them constantly break the fourth wall, adding a bit of levity to this film. Surprisingly, this is actually one of the darker film versions of A Christmas Carol. They had to cut some songs from later releases for being too upsetting for children, and they actually show how sick Tiny Tim is, rather than just seeing him hobbling on his one crutch. At one point, Rizzo the Rat asks Gonzo if this movie is all right for children to watch.
Personally, I found the Ghost of Christmas Present to be the most depressing. He starts out the most energetic and jolly of all characters in the film. His very presence brightens up the room (literally!) and even has the grouchy Scrooge smiling and dancing along at one point. But near the end of his time, he starts aging rapidly until he's tired and white-haired. He has a conversation with Scrooge about how his time on Earth is limited and quickly coming to an end, which somehow struck me hard personally. Probably because I used to be an unstoppable ball of energy as a young man, but have been getting slower and more tired with age. I guess his sudden aging resonated with me, as my own youthful childhood has somehow vanished overnight.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a classic you can't pass up! Whether you've read the original novel or watched various versions of this famous tale on the big screen, the Muppet's Christmas Carol is one that shouldn't be missed. I love introspective thought, and this story is all about self-exploration and discovery. Scrooge learns from his past, reconsiders himself in the present, and then gets a glimpse of his unaltered future, giving him a chance to reevaluate his life and change for the better. Which is a gift that I'd love to have myself. I'd recommend this to all ages!
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