Tuesday, December 16, 2008

My Favorite Version of a Christmas Carol. Ever.

And is anyone familiar with my blog surprised it is the Disney one?

Mickey's Christmas Carol stars Scrooge McDuck as, appropriately, Ebenezer Scrooge. Mickey and Minnie Mouse naturally play Bob Cratchit and his wife with one of Mickey's nephews portraying Tiny Tim. Goofy is a not-so-scary Marley while Jiminy Cricket, Willie the Giant and Peg-Leg Pete play the ghosts (Past, Present and Future respectively). Donald Duck plays Scrooge's nephew Fred while Daisy plays Scrooge's old girlfriend Isabelle.

Unlike Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, this one acknowledges Fred and shows the ghosts in proper order. However, a warning for those with little kids, the Ghost of Christmas Future's sequence may be a bit intense for the tots as flames arise out of Scrooge's tomb. However, it is one of the few times this particular Dickens ghost gets a face.

Seeing the classic Disney characters act out one of the best known Christmas stories is a thrill and may help introduce younger views to such characters as Willie the Giant or Mr. Toad (who played Fezziwig). And it's always good to see Mickey and the gang in 2-D (clearly, I'm not a fan of the 3-D Mickey).

My father taped a showing of Mickey's Christmas Carol which also featured a few old animated shorts, including one of Goofy's old "How to" shorts (if you have never seen these, do. They are hysterical, particularly the winter sports). My other favorite involves Chip and Dale, Pluto and Mickey's Christmas tree. It is beautifully animated and quite a good watch.

Perhaps I'm a bit biased, but I think I shall give this one five candy canes.

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