A CHRISTMAS CAROL

US, 2009, 96 minutes, Colour.
Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn, Bob Hoskins, Fionnula Flanagan, Lesley Manville, Fay Masterson, Julian Holloway.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Quite an exhilarating experience of Charles Dickens' classic tale of miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, his meanness to his clerk, Bob Cratchit, his unwillingness to celebrate Christmas with his nephew, Fred, and his miserable and lonely life. We all remember that he encounters the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him that he will see three more ghosts, The Ghost of Christmas Past, who takes him back to see his childhood, his young days and his love for Belle but his choice of a life for money; the Ghost of Christmas Present, a jovial ghost who takes him to see the happy meal at Fred's and Bob Cratchit's toast to Scrooge, despite his family's dislike of him, and Tiny Tim's, 'God bless us, everyone'; and the sinister, shadowy Ghost of Christmases to Come who reveals Scrooge's death to him, buried unloved, housekeeper and friend gossiping about him as they look through his things - and the revelation that Tiny Tim has died.

Needless to say, Scrooge is mightily relieved when he lands back in his room and it is Christmas morning. He has a chance to save his life – which he does, to the full.

Though seen many times on screen, the story is always welcome.

What makes this version even more welcome is the amazing technology that has been used to bring Scrooge and Dickens' characters and fantasy to life. The 3D version is well worth seeing for its animation and production designed to display the depth photography all the way through.

While the film stars Jim Carrey as Scrooge (as well as the three Ghosts), the technique used is that of 'Performance Capture' on which animation is built, using the performances of the cast (who do not have to don period costumes but can concentrate solely on acting, effects will do the rest). This technique was used by Robert Zemeckis for The Polar Express and, sometimes disconcertingly, for his Beowulf. Once one gets used to the idea and accepts it, it makes for a different kind of experience, having the benefit, not just of the voices of the cast, but their performances with added enormous visual flair for characters and backgrounds.

Carrey is very good as Scrooge (affecting an accent not unlike that of Alistair Sim in the classic version from the 1950s) but has moments of his familiar body agility and movements. Colin Firth is Fred. Gary Oldman is Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim (his Bob being animated as much shorter and plumper than Oldman himself, though audiences who know him will recognise him). Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn and Bob Hoskins are amongst the other actors who take on multiple roles.

The version captures the mood of Dickensian London. We are immersed in the life of the city as well as isolated in Scrooge's home and accompany him on his flying journeys into the past and into the future. Small children may be alarmed at a number of the sequences which could be quite frightening (and make them fear Dickens for the future), especially a coffin and grave sequence which would be more than at home in a Tim Burton film.

Zemeckis' screenplay nicely reminds us of the Christian dimension of the feast of Christmas with images of churches and crosses and the singing of many carols. And, of course, Scrooge's meanness reminds us that the celebration is not about money or commercialism – if only that were true these days.

1.The popularity of Dickens’ story? The tale itself, the character of Scrooge, his crisis, the ghosts, the moral?

2.The tradition of film versions? English, American, animated, musical?

3.The 21st century technology, the capturing of performances, the animation over the performance, characters, voices, design, the 3D effect, the musical score, the Christmas carols, the final song?

4.The variety of performances, the cast in various roles? The animation and keeping the appearance of the cast or not? Altering?

5.The opening with the book, London, the huge sweep over the city, 19th century London, familiar, the setting for the story, the city, the streets, the range of people, costumes, the vendors? The camera swooping along the streets, within the action?

6.The Christmas setting, a workday, the preparation for the holiday? The carol singers in the street? The appeals for money for charity? Fred and his invitation to his uncle for Christmas dinner? Bob Cratchit, his family, going early, having the day off? Scrooge and his refusal to participate in all of this?

7.The film’s establishing Scrooge as a character, the funeral of Jacob Marley, in the funeral director’s room, asking for payment, Scrooge and his unwillingness to give the coins, taking the coins from the eyes of Marley, the reaction of the undertaker and his assistant? The appearance of Scrooge, tall and thin, emaciated, nose and chin? Built on Jim Carrey’s performance? The movement, the English accent? The voice throughout the film?

8.Scrooge and his work, the notice outside and the passing of the seven years? Candles, Bob in the darkness, his work? Fred coming to cheer him up? His refusal? The walk throughout the town, the singers and their stopping, the men with the appeal and his harsh answers? His opinions about prisons and workhouses?

9.At home, the apparition at the doorknob, his fear? Inside the house, candles, vast, locking himself in, preparing his frugal meal?

10.The Ghost of Christmas Past, appearance, the jet of flame, changing around? Scrooge in his nightgown? Their travelling, through the skies, flying, past the moon, over London? The revelation of Scrooge as a boy, lonely? The cooks and the food, throwing it to the children, the dogs taking it? As a young man, sharing his digs with Dick? Their friendship, falling out, his focus on money? His love for Bella, the meetings, the dance? His not marrying her? The sister and the contract? Seeing him older, the change, everything measured by money? Becoming more skeletal, mean? At the dance, with Mr Fezziwig?, Mrs Fezziwig? Joy and his inability to fit in? The possibilities for his life?

11.The Ghost of Christmas Present, huge, laughter, festivity, flying over London, going to Fred’s house, the guests, the jokes at Scrooge’s expense, going to the Cratchit house, Bob and his kindness, Tiny Tim, ‘God bless us, every one,” the family, criticising Scrooge, Bob wanting to toast him?

12.Scrooge, Tiny Tim’s fate touching him, the beginnings of concern?

13.The Ghost of Christmas Future, sinister shadow, dark, looming, Scrooge as dead, unloved, the frightening grave sequence, his falling in? His tombstone? Joe and the housekeeper, examining his clothes, his possessions, commenting on him? His fear of death? The Cratchits, Tiny Tim dead?

14.Scrooge back in his house, his relief, learning his lesson, glad to be alive, going to the window, Christmas Day, the boy and his cart, buying the turkey, giving him the tip? Giving the money to the choir, joining in the singing? The man with the appeal, the huge donation? Going to Fred’s house, hearing the joke, going to the meal, enjoying it, promising to host it the next year?

15.Preparing for Bob to come to work, late, his revelation of the raise, Scrooge transformed?

16.Bob, telling the story, Scrooge and his love for the family, for Tiny Tim, hoisting him on his shoulder, “God bless us, every one”?

17.A different and fresh experience of Dickens’ story?