Disney's A Christmas Carol poster & wallpaper

Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth

An animated retelling of Charles Dickens classic novel about a Victorian-era miser taken on a journey of self-redemption, courtesy of several mysterious Christmas apparitions.

Flixster Users

72% liked it

63,361 ratings

Critics

55% liked it

142 critics

PG, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

Release Date: November 6, 2009

Invite friends to see Get Showtimes

Stats: 4,941 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites
report incorrect info

Photos

promotional photo promotional image promotional photo a christmas carol promotional photo Christmas Carol official poster A Christmas Carol promotional image official film still promotional photo official film still Jim Carrey in Disney’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL Disney's A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol promotional image A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol
Upload a Photo |

View All Disney's A Christmas Carol Photos (25)

Your Rating


clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (4,941)

  • hobster1
    November 6, 2009
    hobster1
    Gorgeous adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic is a 3D feast for the eyes. This slavishly faithful interpretation, is highlighted by effects so extraordinary, there are moments where it literally looks as if snow is falling in the theater. As recounted here, the story real...( read more)ly takes its time and exhibits a dark moodiness, especially in the early scenes. In other parts, there are nightmarish images that are rather jolting for a PG rated film. Consequently, the film will please adults much more than it will entertain young children. However, for those that are patient, this atmospheric version of the classic tale is an enjoyable holiday treat.
  • DrZeek
    November 6, 2009
    DrZeek
    Ebenezer Scrooge: What do you want with me?
    Jacob Marley: You will be haunted by three spirits.
    Ebenezer Scrooge: I'd rather not.

    Director Robert Zemeckis once again ventures into the world of motion capture animation to retell the classic Dickens' tale 'A Christmas Carol,...( read more)' featuring Jim Carrey. While not bringing much new to the classic tale, the film serves as a very literal retelling of the story, mixed with some fun visuals once the ghosts get on the scene.

    Carrey stars as Ebenezer Scrooge this time around, the mean, old, stingy man, living in Victorian-era London. Scrooge is, of course, a scrooge, who wants nothing to do with the joy of Christmas, despite it being Christmas eve, with many around him singing the praises of the time of year that it is.

    On the night of Christmas Eve, Scrooge is suddenly startled by the ghost of his dead partner Marley, portrayed by Gary Oldman (playing multiple parts). Marley informs Scrooge that he will be given the chance to save his soul, by being visited by three different spirits in the night. Soon enough, Scrooge is visited by the different ghosts (all portrayed by Carrey) showing him different aspects of his life, with the intent of hopefully changing the way Scrooge treats himself and those around him.

    Ebenezer Scrooge: Ghost of the Future, I fear you more than any spectre I have seen.

    I really enjoyed the way the ghosts were portrayed in this film. Its a combination of spookafying imagery, blatant caricature, somewhat laughable, and being a bit irritating in a way that all blends together well. It fits the way the actual book was written, which goes the same for the way the setting is portrayed. The London we see here is quite drab and lifeless, depending on the ghost portions to really give us some visual splendor.

    Zemeckis' work in this realm of filmmaking has improved somewhat (but he should get back to live action). Polar Express didn't do much for me at all, with its scary zombie children. Beowulf was an epic over-the-top comedy (that I did like more than either of the other mocap films). Here, the animation is solid when dealing with Scrooge and the ghosts, although some of the random characters that pop up have clear issues of not having much emphasis in detail be put upon them. What I do appreciate; however, is his us of the 3D format. There are some woosh shots here or there, but he never lets the format use him, he constantly uses IT as a tool. This, combined with Zemeckis' regular composer Alan Silvestri's score works to keep the whole film interesting and involving.

    Unfortunately, the 3D, which should serve as a strength to the film, also serves as one of its greatest weaknesses. I saw this film on the IMAX screen in 3D, and it was wonderful in that setting (although the 3D trailer for Avatar beforehand didn't help for seeing 'Carol's animation). I can't imagine watching this film again on a standard 2D screen, let alone on DVD/Blu Ray. The large spectacle aspect is the draw for this film, but I wouldn't want to see this literal version again with other, better versions that exist, such as Muppet's Christmas Carol.

    Ebenezer Scrooge: Haunt me no longer!

    Still, the movie is well made. Carrey delivers in all his performances. I can watch Gary Oldman do anything. Supporting work from Bob Hoskins, Colin Firth, and Cary Elwes is also fitting. I also appreciated the dark elements that are missing from other versions of the story. Scary images do appropriately accompany some of the scenes between Scrooge and the spirits, and its very fitting and well handled.

    Solid film, but the viewing format is what counts.

    Ebenezer Scrooge: Humbug.
  • flickfever
    November 2, 2009
    flickfever
    When a story such as "A Christmas Carol" is so widely known and regarded, it can be difficult to retell it in a way that can recapture the imagination and wonderment of an audience. Luckily, Robert Zemeckis' latest incarnation, Disney's A Christmas Carol, succeeds magnificently. ...( read more)And it does so not only by the merit of its original source material (the brilliant story by Charles Dickens.) It triumphs so magically by dint of its eye-popping, dazzling execution.

    What this story may lack in its "failure" to modernize the story or provide quirky, fluffy pop culture relevance; it makes up for by being an honest-to-goodness, faithful adaptation of a familiar story that doesn't need modern tidings. The story was written as a depiction of Victorian life in England during the 19th century--and it mirrors today's economic world stage so much so, that any more modern-day tie-ins than that would have been superfluous. After all, what good would it do to tell a Bernie Madeoff joke in a movie that takes place in the 1800s? Even with Jim Carrey as the star, it would seem rather ridiculous to see it in this film--and even more ludicrous for audience to expect such an incontinent misgiving.

    The sheer amount of visual delights are too many to count or even remember individually. What imprints most in the mind of the viewer when watching this movie is that these are a collection of images that will not be soon forgotten. If the medium of film is one in which to tell a story you must show your story, then this story is told in a cinematic language lined with opulent velvet. Style is never placed over substance; but there's enough style to fill the stockings of a nation.

    Jim Carrey is in fine form (primarily) as a voice actor. Never before have his over-the-top thespian skills or his predilection for the idiotic been more in check and subdued than in this holiday feast of a film. Carrey brings significant amounts of gravitas to a film that could have meandered into kiddy nothingness. Instead, Carrey brings enough quirky humor to his "acting," but manages to dial down the heightened comedy for a more nuanced performance--adding another dimension to his presence in the film.

    And if another dimension is to be commended, it certainly is the third dimension which Zemeckis ingeniously chose to include in the production. The 3D, stop-motion animation has never looked better. Of course, there are certain technical hurdles that have not been fully eradicated since the likes of The Polar Express and Beowolf. But overall, this movie is boundlessly more sophisticated than its dwarfed predecessors in that the technology has advanced to proportions of unreal realism. What once seemed like eerie, hollowed-out versions of human expressions is now (for the most part) like looking into an eerie menagerie of mirrors pointed at real life.

    At times, the mood is brooding and much too frightening for children under the age of eight--possibly even ten. But, then again, what good is a story that's supposed to teach children valuable lessons if it cannot strike some sort of fear in that child that will make the lesson much more poignant? Although quite thunderous, the sounds, sights and sentiments showcased in the film are meant to signify much more than mere entertainment.

    It goes without saying that this film is a visual masterpiece; and that it has, once again, raised the bar for the standard at which animation of this class should be produced. And all the acting talent, random access memory and money couldn't supercede what's at the heart of the experience when you step into the theater to watch this film: the amazing story of Ebenezer Scrooge; his cursed greedy soul and the redemption he must learn to attain. That's more than a lump of coal at the heart of it--that's box office (and awards) gold.
  • jimmc
    November 2, 2009
    jimmc
    We all already know the story, however this was a good remake. The 3D effects brought it from the 19th into the 21st century. Great merging of live action and animation.
  • crholic
    November 7, 2009
    crholic
    i don't watch this movie, but i know typical of disney's story and i've read Chrismast Carol so i think it supposed to be a good movie
  • Teejtlh
    November 7, 2009
    Teejtlh
    Jim Carrey was an excellent choice for scrooge! He fit his personality well.
  • mounasidiris
    November 7, 2009
    mounasidiris
    Hello
    My name is Miss. Mildred Linwood; I am presently working with (International Child Right Organization) Washington DC, USA. We are cordially inviting you to our twin combined conference which Will be held in Washington DC, USA from the 4th - 8th of January 2010 And Dakar S...( read more)enegal from 11th - 15th of January 2010. If you are interested to participate and want to represent your country or organization, you may Contact the secretariat of the organizing committee for details and Information?s.
    You should also inform them that you were invited to participate by a friend of yours (Miss. Mildred Linwood), who is a member of the International Committee of the Red Cross, (ICRC) and a staff of (International Child Right Organization). The benevolent donors of the Organizing Committee will provide round Air tickets and accommodation for the period of participants Stay in United States, to all registered participants.
    Organizing this International Conference on Racism and Child trafficking, is to fight and Interrogates the growing social vices Child trafficking and Racism taking place in our world today. The conference will bring together Youth Leaders, Performers, Educators, Artists, Scholars and Researchers, psychologists and therapists, Health Professionals, Business professionals, Youth workers, Activists, and Community organizers to showcase what need to be done to win this war, these events are scheduled to commence in Washington DC, USA and come to an end in Dakar Senegal Africa. It is two kinds of events in which all the participants and educators shall be happy to partake in, and spend some unique days...
    You will only be responsible for your own hotel booking in Africa where the second phase of the conference will be held. If you are a holder of an international passport that may require visa to enter the United States/Dakar Senegal, you may inform the conference secretariat at the time of registration, as the organizing committee is responsible for all visa arrangements and travel assistances.
    Please contact the Conference secretariat with the address below for details
    information's. Email: icro2010.secretary@secretary.net Contact them with your full names and address.
    Do also get back to me with my private email address, to enable me follow up with your interest to participate in this conference: m.linwood.conf2010@insing.com
    Sincerely,
    Miss. Mildred Linwood
  • rhorsley
    November 7, 2009
    rhorsley
    Visually it was a great movie but other than that nothing new. It really seemed like a waste of Jim Carrey's talent. There was no humor in the movie at all. If you are wanting to see it just for the visual then I would recommend just seeing it at IMAX.
  • VALIANT67
    November 7, 2009
    VALIANT67
    WATCH THIS MOVIE FREE http://MoviesWatch.info
    Watch this movie for free for those of you that are short on money at http://MoviesWatch.info But if you can afford it go to the theaters and support the movies
  • dinodiva717
    November 7, 2009
    dinodiva717
    I usually enjoy all the different versions of this tale. This one is quite good as well, but a bit slow in parts. Jim Carrey is brilliant at voice acting. I never would have guessed he played all those parts. Totally worth it to see in 3D. It makes you feel like you're right ther...( read more)e in the movie with the sweeping camera flying through the town.

View All Disney's A Christmas Carol Reviews

Critic Reviews

November 6, 2009
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

Zemeckis' film preserves much of Dickens' original dialogue and detail while amplifying the utter ethereal strangeness of the ghosts. full review

November 6, 2009
Kyle Smith, New York Post

You don't identify with Scrooge at any point, nor is blatant fakery scary. Picture The Seventh Seal with sock puppets. full review

November 6, 2009
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

A branded piece of shiny seasonal entertainment. full review

November 6, 2009
Nigel Andrews, The Financial Times

Dickens purists can stay away. Others can feel free to sample the rollicking aerial views of Victorian London, the droll and scary elasticity of Carrey. full review

November 5, 2009
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

To put it bluntly, if Scroogely, Disney's 3-D animated version of A Christmas Carol is a calamity. full review

November 5, 2009
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Favors thrill-ride effects that are more often the star than the servant of the story. It's like "Silent Night" played by Led Zeppelin. full review

November 5, 2009
Claudia Puig, USA Today

A re-telling should either present a resonant or fresh thematic take. This Christmas Carol seems like a pale ghost of Dickens' magical Christmas classic. full review

November 5, 2009
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

Shockingly, the new film turns out to be very good, at times close to brilliant: a darkly detailed marvel of creative visualization that does well by Dickens and right by audiences -- when it's not tr... full review

November 5, 2009
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The story that Dickens wrote in 1838 remains timeless, and if it's supercharged here with Scrooge swooping the London streets as freely as Superman, well, once you let ghosts into a movie, there's roo... full review

November 4, 2009
Armond White, The New York Press

Zemeckis' latest motion-capture CGI project capsizes Dickens' narrative power simply because the faces of the human simulacra are so utterly inexpressive and ugly. full review

View more Disney's A Christmas Carol reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • EreborTabor
    November 4, 2009
    EreborTabor
    Wait a minute...3D animation, based on a classic beloved story, directed by Robert Zemeckis with Robin Wright Penn as part of the supporting cast. Last time that happened, I was very disappointed. On the upside, Gary Oldman and Bob Hoskins have roles of some sort. Could this movie make up for the let-down knows as BEOWULF? Let's find out.
  • azharikassim
    November 4, 2009
    azharikassim
    i hope this is a good movie..coz actor is jim carrey..
  • Rosepetal75
    October 31, 2009
    Rosepetal75
    http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/achristmascarol/
  • mj19moh
    September 13, 2009
    mj19moh
    I thiNk it's really great moVie,...... So i will watch thiS,.CaNt waiT,... So exCiteD,.Well let's sEe...........
  • michellerubio
    May 14, 2009
    michellerubio
    I am VERY excited about this movie, usually Christmass movies dont call my attention, but with a cast like this! I thought it would be a live action movie,it would have been SO much better!
Post A Comment | View All Comments

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

All Rotten Tomatoes content is used under license from Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes, Certified Fresh, and the Tomatometer are the trademarks of Incfusion Corporation, d/b/a Rotten Tomatoes, a subsidiary of IGN Entertainment, Inc.

Official Trailer

View Larger Disney's A Christmas Carol Trailer

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (80%)
  • A Christmas Carol
    A Christmas Carol (100%)
  • The Muppet Christmas Carol
    The Muppet Christmas Carol (100%)
  • Beowulf
    Beowulf (100%)

More Movies like Disney's A Christmas Carol

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings

No showtimes found.

Theaters & Showtimes for Disney's A Christmas Carol

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Disney's A Christmas Carol Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Disney's A Christmas Carol to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Disney's A Christmas Carol News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

JennifairyW Skin by JennifairyW
319 Profiles
Add to Profile

More Skins