As is customary, this year's faithful version of the legendary Charles Dickens tale is titled Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. You're probably familiar with the plot, yet with this adaption it is animated, has music, and is available to watch on Netflix.
You probably already know the storyline, which involves grouchy businessman Ebenezer Scrooge being persuaded to be compassionate after receiving some strange ghostly visits. This rendition stays fairly true to the original. However, in this version there is the addition of songs. It has to be said these songs are very hit or miss.
The live-action musical Scrooge from the 1970s, which starred Albert Finney in the title role, served as the inspiration for this new animated feature film adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Songs by the late Leslie Bricusse, many of which are given a refresh and presented anew in this animated film, make up the majority of the overlap between these two versions. Given that the 1970 Scrooge doesn't have Scottish ducks, tap-dancing frogs, or Bill Murray, it is highly possible that the majority of viewers won't be familiar with these songs.
Luke Evans, Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, and Johnny Flynn are among the impressive voice actors who appear in Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. Although, due to the animation, these characters can come across as a bit lifeless during the film. Hence it is hard to truly connect with the characters.
As the endearing, seemingly naive (but oh so smart) Ghost of Christmas Past, Olivia Colman stands out. The character concept, a burning candle made of wax that can change shapes, is creative and adds some energetic visuals to her scenes. She makes much more of a mark compared to the other ghosts. Possibly as we get to spend more time with her.
It's a shame that the animation is so blocky. It is clear the animators tried to create some amazing visuals with the fragments of Scrooge's memories. Yet, the actual characters don’t look that great.
The tunes are instantly forgettable and unimaginative. Having said that, the best song is when Isabel says goodbye to Scrooge. It is full of passion and emotion. If only more of the songs had this impact. A lot of people have commented on this song, as it is instantly relatable and you can really feel the motion of the characters. Out of all the songs, this one is what this film will be remembered for.
The ending is quite emotional as we get to see the impact of Scrooge changing his ways. It's a nice ending, to what was overall a very lacking film. It’s a shame that this film isn’t very memorable. The actors did well with what they were given. However, this film wasn’t too impressive, and the songs could have been better. Maybe this is a sign to stop remaking this story.
Performance | 3.2/5 |
Enjoyment | 2.9/5 |
Overall Rating | 3/5 |