"A Christmas Carol"
Animated/Family
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Release date: November 6th, 2009
Reviewed by: John Esther
Grade:


Angry by recent Wall Street events of grand greed and government complicity, one of Hollywood's most reactionary artists, Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future; Forrest Gump), has turned his newfound socialism and channeled it into a cold critique of capitalism worthy of Gang of Four.

I jest, there is nothing contemporary or cool about the latest cinematic adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Presented in Disney Digital 3D, "A Christmas Carol" stars a barely recognizable Jim Carrey as Ebeneezer Scrooge, the miscreant, miserly misanthrope who lives to hate until he is visited by three ghosts -- all uninterestingly played by Carrey and noticeably lacking any psychological insight considering the trope -- one Christmas Eve and finds redemption in his coal soul before it is too late.

From concept (Zemeckis' comments on Dickens' adaptation desires of the novel are laughable) to execution, not only is this an awful adaptation of "A Christmas Carol", it may just be the biggest financial loser of the season. Where is the audience for this $175 million-plus movie? Judging by the press screening the film is too rambunctious for kids. The adolescent market will be heading for This is it, Paranormal Activity and the Fourth Kind. Adults have other choices such as the literary choice of Precious based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire or the middlebrow fare of The Men Who Stare at Goats. In fact it is hard to imagine adults will don 3-D glasses and trip over to a theater to see a remake of a story they have seen so many times and in so many ways over decades for free at home. Home viewing sales to the rescue! - J.E.