The Twelve Reviews of Christmas...Day Twelve: "The Muppet Christmas Carol"

There goes Mr. Humbug...

The Story:

The classic tale of Christmas redemption as written by Charles Dickens... with a Muppet twist!  Charles Dickens (Gonzo the Great) and Rizzo the Rat narrate the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) who is haunted by the ghosts of his dead partner(s), Jacob and Robert Marley (Waldorf and Statler).  Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future and is haunted by what he sees.  Will it be enough to change the heart of one so miserly as Scrooge?

Well yes, yes it will.

Is it wrong that this is my favorite adaptation of A Christmas Carol?
Unless you count Scrooged.

:)

But back to this version, yes it  has Muppets...yes it has singing...yes it has Gonzo and Rizzo  working narration...

But. It. Works.

It's magical, and I can't help but think of the tremendous legacy that Jim Henson left us when he passed away.

This, the first feature after his death (and the passing of Richard Hunt - Scooter) showed that the Muppets were in good hands with son Brian Henson at the helm.

And poor Steve Whitmire, welcome to the Muppet Family, please voice Kermit as Bob Cratchit in the first film since the voice of Kermit has passed away.

How's that for tremendous job pressure for your first gig??!!

Yes, the voice is different, how could it not be?  But it's still Kermit, the heart of the green frog we grew up with is still there.

From 1992, now 20 years later, this movie is still magical, and it gets watched at a minimum of once a year around this time.

I probably shouldn't like it more than my kids, but I do.  I grew up on the Muppet Show, so they are very much a part of my childhood, and I still love those guys.

It doesn't hurt that the storyline that the Muppets are tackling is one of the best stories, Christmas or otherwise, ever committed to paper by an author.

The deviations in the story that they take are either to make it work for the story or choice of Muppet (Waldorf & Statler) and the inclusion of Dickens and Rizzo was a stroke of storytelling genius that allowed for comic banter in an otherwise somber (and sometimes frightening!) story.

The musical numbers are all well done, and if you've only seen the version WITHOUT "When Love is Gone", then you haven't seen the film yet.

It's hauntingly beautiful, and you can't help but feel for Scrooge as you watch his heart break when he realizes what a mistake he has made in his life.

I could argue that it's Michael Caine's best performance, yes, ever, in any movie he's ever done.

Some would disagree and cite this movie or that...

But he nailed Scrooge, and I would rank his performance up against anyone who has taken on the role.

Don't let singing Muppets fool you, this is a great adaptation for the whole family.

Final Grade: A+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I own it, and I have the version that includes the song. I hesitate to upgrade to Blu Ray until I know for certain that scene is in there, and not just included as a Deleted Scene extra.

Wishing all of you a Very Merry Christmas!!!

The Twelve Reviews of Christmas...Day Nine: "Scrooged"

Yule Love It!

The Story:

Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is the youngest TV executive in network history. He has big plans for a live performance of A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve.  Ah, but when Frank is visited by the ghost of his former boss (John Forsythe), it's only a matter of time before his world is turned upside down as he lives his own version of Dickens' classic tale.

Will Frank learn a valuable life lesson, or is he doomed for all eternity?

Richard Donner directs yet another personal favorite of mine.  I tell you, he's possibly the most underrated movie director of the 80s/90s.

While Murray gets acclaim for his later dramatic roles, this is my favorite role that he has done in his career.  Yep, better than Caddyshack, Stripes and Ghostbusters, to name but three.

He's funny, but in reactionary ways only, which is a great skill for an actor to pull off.

That he seems to be having a nervous breakdown due to the ghosts adds to the comedy of the film.

Unlike versions of the ghosts, these 3 aren't exactly nice or sentimental with Frank.  In fact, Carol Kane as the Ghost of Christmas Present is downright brutal with Frank.

:)

Naturally, Frank learns that the life he could have had with Claire (Karen Allen) is his one big mistake, and that's why I don't consider Scrooged to be a straight adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

  Does it borrow, oh yes, liberally.

But here, Frank, unlike Scrooge, gets the chance to rectify that moment in his life where things went wrong, and win back the love of his life.

Great performances across the board, and if you don't like this movie...

You have no Christmas spirit.

;)

Available to stream instantly on Amazon if you have Prime membership.

Final Grade: A+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  It is owned already and is watched at least once every holiday season.  I'm thinking there will be an upgrade to Blu Ray to keep it lasting forever in the near future.

100 Greatest Movies of All Time...That I Own. # 13 ~ Scrooged

Back on the list, a few old favorites:

Bill Murray.
Richard Donner.

Christmas Movies.

In fact, this begins the Holy Trifecta of Christmas movies, so if you're not a fan of the Yuletide Season, then you may want to take a few days off.

Lumps of coal will be delivered accordingly...

: )

So anyway...

For those that haven't seen this film:

It's a spin on A Christmas Carol, for starters.

Bill Murray plays Frank Cross, the youngest executive in network television history.  To celebrate the season, he plans an extensive, live production of A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve.

Bah, humbug!

However, Frank begins to be visited by the Christmas Ghosts....and then all bets are off.

Will Frank get the message, or will it be too late for Mr. Cross?

If you only watch one film version of A Christmas Carol...

It should probably be A Muppet Christmas Carol.

: )

But if you want an adaptation of A Christmas Carol, here you go!

The framework of Dickens' tale remains intact, and yet they built all of their new story on top of it.

Bill Murray is a genius in his role as Cross.  It's fun to see him through flashbacks when he was less of an ogre towards people and is genuinely caring.  He makes you care that Frank Cross does not go down the path of Christmas-Yet-To-Come.  His redemption, unlike Scrooge, happens live via satellite to millions of people (and pets) who are watching.

Pretty powerful stuff.

The rest of the all-star cast is tremendous as well.

It's a holiday mainstay at the house.  Our only complaint, we really want to see Lee Majors' film, The Night the Reindeer Died!!  : )  (Though I maintain the Day the Reindeer Died would be the better title)

So get ready this holiday season to watch Scrooged.  And if you haven't seen it in a few years, give it a whirl...

Yule Love It!