Bah Humbug—In 3-D!

It’s never Christmas until someone puts out a new version of “A Christmas Carol.”

This year, the Walt Disney Company gives another go at the classic Dickens tale—after “Mickey’s A Christmas Carol” and “A Muppet Christmas Carol.” They have teamed up with Robert Zemeckis again, the first time since “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”, and utilize the innovative animation used for the classic “The Polar Express.”

This go-around, miser Ebenezer Scrooge is played by Jim Carrey at all ages. On Christmas Eve, he is haunted by the specter of his old partner Jacob Marley (Gary Oldman), who warns Scrooge that his after death fate is a bleak one. Scrooge is then visited by three spirits (all played by Carrey) who show him visions of Christmases past, present and future. It shouldn’t be much of a spoiler by now to reveal that in the end, Scrooge changes his ways and becomes a better person because of his encounters.

It was a bit jarring to hear that a funny man such as Jim Carrey would be taking on Ebenezer Scrooge, but he does the role justice. My father believed he modeled some of Scrooge’s speech patterns on Alastair Sims, oft considered the epitome of Scrooges. He also did a wonderful job as the various ghosts, particularly the whispery tones he took for the Ghost of Christmas Past. In a change of events, the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Be wasn’t the most frightening specter in the movie. That honor belongs to Marley and the gaggle of ghosts bearing his fate that Scrooge sees from his window. Oldman’s voice is adds a layer of creepiness, though he does tender as well in his other roles as Bob Crachit and Tiny Tim.

If there is one flaw, it is that the story is a bit rushed. The spirits do not dwell long and scenes are cut short. Belle (voiced by Robin Wright Penn) is hurried from a wordless dance to her breaking the engagement with Scrooge. The scenes at the Crachit household was also unusually short, not allowing for much with Tiny Tim.

This is an admirable addition to the litany of “A Christmas Carol” adaptations that exist. It may not be suitable for young children and parents should use caution for some intense scenes. Otherwise, go see it!

(Especially in 3-D)