The makers of this newest film version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" have clearly been influenced by the atmosphere sustained in the British versions, and not the sentimentalized M-G-M version (thank God!), or for that matter, the last big-scale TV version with George C. Scott. Patrick Stewart's influence on the production as both star and executive producer, as well as his deep respect for the material is clearly obvious here. Stewart's performance as Scrooge is clearly the best since the great Alastair Sim claimed virtual ownership of the role--he, too, seems to feel the role of Scrooge inside him as few others do--not even the late, great George C.Scott gave us a performance like this. Stewart shows a controlled bitterness, resentfulness and sarcasm in the early scenes comparable to Sim's, and if he doesn't seem quite as lovable bouncing around his gloomy house at the end as Sim did, he still does a remarkable job throughout the film.
Another excellent touch is that the filmmakers have thankfully resisted the temptation to "lighten things up" by emphasizing the jolly side of Christmas at the expense of the story, as so many other versions have done. We see the old, worn sign "Scrooge and Marley" outside Scrooge's office,and the squalor of the poor side of London is never forgotten. For once, Bob Cratchit's house really does look like the second-rate dwelling it's supposed to be, and the two children hiding in the robe of the Ghost of Christmas Present are truly pathetic. But there are several excellent touches in this film that are completely absent from other versions----among the most inspiring and beautiful is the "lighthouse montage" in which, with the help of computer effects (used in a Dickens film for the first time), we see carolers singing Christmas songs in different places, different languages, and different parts of the world. The idea of using digital special effects might make you uneasy enough to think that they might remind you more of "The Terminator" or "Star Wars" than Dickens, but they don't, even if Scrooge really does pass through walls here,and if, for once, Marley's jaw really does look as if it's about to fall off. The only touch I found really false is the apparent "earthquake" in the graveyard, as well as Scrooge's falling into the grave.
Richard E. Grant is a touching, vulnerable Bob Cratchit, but his portrayal and those of the other Cratchits are never allowed to get mushily out-of-hand, not even Tiny Tim. The ghosts are also quite good,though I could have done without the glowing eyes of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. Dickens did not intend those eyes to be seen, and that DOES remind me of Darth Vader, when it shouldn't.
The language of the original story has also been, for good or bad (depending on your taste) been somewhat colloquialized. It may be easier for children that way, but,then, on the other hand, much of this film may be too intense for them.
Another excellent touch is that the filmmakers have thankfully resisted the temptation to "lighten things up" by emphasizing the jolly side of Christmas at the expense of the story, as so many other versions have done. We see the old, worn sign "Scrooge and Marley" outside Scrooge's office,and the squalor of the poor side of London is never forgotten. For once, Bob Cratchit's house really does look like the second-rate dwelling it's supposed to be, and the two children hiding in the robe of the Ghost of Christmas Present are truly pathetic. But there are several excellent touches in this film that are completely absent from other versions----among the most inspiring and beautiful is the "lighthouse montage" in which, with the help of computer effects (used in a Dickens film for the first time), we see carolers singing Christmas songs in different places, different languages, and different parts of the world. The idea of using digital special effects might make you uneasy enough to think that they might remind you more of "The Terminator" or "Star Wars" than Dickens, but they don't, even if Scrooge really does pass through walls here,and if, for once, Marley's jaw really does look as if it's about to fall off. The only touch I found really false is the apparent "earthquake" in the graveyard, as well as Scrooge's falling into the grave.
Richard E. Grant is a touching, vulnerable Bob Cratchit, but his portrayal and those of the other Cratchits are never allowed to get mushily out-of-hand, not even Tiny Tim. The ghosts are also quite good,though I could have done without the glowing eyes of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. Dickens did not intend those eyes to be seen, and that DOES remind me of Darth Vader, when it shouldn't.
The language of the original story has also been, for good or bad (depending on your taste) been somewhat colloquialized. It may be easier for children that way, but,then, on the other hand, much of this film may be too intense for them.