Review of Christmas Carol: The Movie (2001) by Julie A — 24 Dec 2008

This film (to me) is one of the best adaptations of the Charles Dickens classic I had ever seen; of course the version from 1951 starring Alastair Sims is a version my family loves (and I loved too - both versions are excellent). I was shocked and surprised by the negativity I had heard on the web (as I said many,many times); I had watched this version and quite frankly I found it AWESOME!

This animated adaptation retains the essence of the timeless tale while introducing some interpretations. A celebrity cast provides voice for the roles of Scrooge (Simon Callow), Marley (Nicolas Cage) and Belle (Titanc's Kate Winslet), yet the beauty of the film flows from its artistic usage of CGI technology, such as the "painted" scenery in the flying scene with Scrooge and The Ghost of Christmas Present (Harry Potter's Michael Gambon). Of course Belle plays a BIG role in this version. We would see them as kids (her and Ebenezer), and she was also friends with Ebenezer's beloved sister Fan; and we also heard that her (Belle's) dad worked as coachman, and both father and daughter lived in the coach-house. And now years later, after their heated break-up, and working at the Alms Hospital for the Poor, she never forgot about him (Ebbie); and after Dr. Lambert was send to debtor's prison, she wrote a letter for help and took it Ebenezer's firm office, and HOPING he would remember her and wouldn't forsake her again and come to help (if he gets the letter).

I don't favorite a scene, because I love the WHOLE film, and I would like to say that the voice-casting for the film is top-notch.