Streaming Service: Netflix
Movie Name/Year: Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (2022)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy,
Musical
Length: 1h 36min
Rating: TV-Y7
Production/Distribution: Timeless Films, Netflix
Director: Stephen Donnelly
Writer: Leslie Bricusse, Stephen
Donnelly, Charles Dickens
Actors: Luke Evans, Olivia Colman, Jessie
Buckley, Johnny Flynn, Fra Fee, Giles Terera, Trevor Dion Nicholas, James
Cosmo, Jonathan Pryce, Oliver Jenkins, Rupert Turnbull, Devon Pomeroy,
Zaris-Angel Hator, Jemima Lucy Newman, Jeremiah Daley, Rebecca Gethings, Sheena
Bhattessa, Homer Todiwala, Ayesha Antoine, Ewan Bailey, Graham Silcock, Stephen
Donnelly
IMDb Blurb: A supernatural, time-travelling,
musical adaptation of Charles Dickens's cult Christmas story
Cat’s Point of View:
There have been so many retellings of Charles Dickens’s
classic novella of A Christmas Carol.
We’ve seen versions tackled by Disney, The Muppets, and countless other
adaptations for both the large and small screens. It’s a timeless tale of
holiday cheer, the resilience of the human spirit, and a journey of personal
redemption. There are likely going to be many more interpretations of this
Dickensian masterpiece for years to come.
Though, with that being said, it makes it harder for new
versions to stand out when compared to everything that has come before. One
would think there are only so many ways you can tell the same story, right?
You wouldn’t even be too far off thinking you’ve seen this
particular movie before, if you’ve watched the live action musical Scrooge (1970). Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is actually an animated remake of that
very movie. The dedication in the credits to the lauded British composer Leslie
Bricusse (1931-2021) harkens back to the original 1970 production, which he
wrote the music, lyrics, and screenplay for (as well as the 1992 stage play).
Bricusse also wrote the screenplay for this Netflix adaptation, including 6 of
the original songs. Sadly, this was his final film project and he passed in
2021, unable to see its release.
When I first saw the trailer for Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, I was thinking it might be cute but
basic – because I was getting that ‘been there, done that’ feeling. I was
worried that it wouldn’t hold my attention. This time of year, I’m burning the
proverbial candle at both ends and sometimes it’s really easy for me to drift
off if I’m not well-engaged with what I’m watching.
I didn’t have any problems staying tuned in at all.
The music was gorgeous and didn’t feel recycled. The
animation was smooth and well integrated the old 2-D style with the more
updated computer enhanced cinematics. I really enjoyed the direction they took
Scrooge’s redemption arc through the animations shown at each ghost-led
journey. The way the thoughts played out as he connected emotions with his
actions and their consequences was very well done, and in a freshly innovative
way. Then there was the cast…
I can’t get over this cast, really. The production team made
some phenomenal decisions here. Luke Evans (Beauty
and the Beast, The Alienist, Pinocchio) voiced the titular character, and
let me tell you, this man has a gorgeous singing voice on top of his great
acting ability. Olivia Colman’s (The Lost
Daughter, Empire of Light, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish) portrayal of Past
was both funny and touching. Jessie Buckley (Beast, Chernobyl, Women Talking) had me misty when she sang in her
role as Isabel Fizziwig. Jonathan Pryce (The
Two Popes, Save the Cinema, The Crown) was hauntingly wonderful as the
embodiment of Jacob Marley – and his ghost. I could go on, but I’ll rest there.
Scrooge: A Christmas
Carol was absolutely everything I expected it to be – and then some. I was
surprised by how engrossed I became with the story and the music. Yes, some
parts were a little silly – but aren’t most musicals at one point or another?
This film would be a great selection to watch with family, especially if you
have children that haven’t really experienced this story before. I would
caution, however, showing this to very young children. There might be some
scary imagery and concepts that could disturb them when Scrooge visits the future.
All told, I’d say I enjoy this version more than the old
fashioned period piece it was adapted from, and I might just watch this again
before the end of this Holiday Season.
Rotten
Tomatoes Critic Score – 40%
Rotten
Tomatoes Audience Score – 73%
Metascore – 46%
Metacritic
User Score – 6.3/10
IMDB
Score – 6.2/10
Trust
the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5
Movie
Trailer:
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