Loved this film, and for that matter loved Polar Express. Both are Christmas classics. The 3D was magical in this film, and time ZIPPED by as fast as the ghosts flew! The director has obvious affection for the original book and follows it very closely - it is my favorite adaptation of this classic. It will hold up even WITHOUT the 3D - that's how good it is. Looking forward to his next film. PS - I'm not a fan of Jim Carrey's comedies, but he is excellent in this movie.… Expand

I have heard the story of A Christmas Carol numerous times, but this adaption of the story is the greatest by far. It is darker than you would expect.

The movie critics reveal their profound ignorance. Dickens' tale was a scathing, satirical allegory that attacked Malthusian theory. To bash the film for remaining true to Dickens' dark vision merely illustrates the critics' lack of literacy.

Disney’s A Christmas carol 3D, written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, is visually spectacular. Immediately the graphic quality is apparent, as every wrinkle of Ebenezer’s weathered face, and every stringy strand of grayish silver hair is brought off the screen. Zemeckis is no stranger to 3D films, with both Polar Express and Beowulf under his belt he has become a master of the technique. When it comes to lifelike graphics this film surpassed my expectations. But despite the realistic visual affects and in your face 3D, Disney’s A Christmas carol falls short of anything more than average. This move is not what you would expect from Disney at all. Disney traditionally has a way of candy coating stories. Turning some of the darker fairytales into happy feel good pictures ,with fluffy animals, that you can take the whole family to see. Although, if you are planning on taking little Billy or six year old little Susie to see this movie. I would warn against it. The story is more true to the original written by Charles Dickens. Which means using dialect is a little different, and might leave your little ones bored and unable to understand anything. In fact at one point about thirty or forty- five minutes in, snoring could be heard from a young girl just one row behind me. But most likely this move will leave young ones sleeping in your bed that night scared the ghosts will get them. This move is pretty scary at moments, and even made me jump a few times. In truth it’s really appropriate this movie was released at the beginning November because it is closer to being a ghostly Halloween film than a happy Christmas picture. I’m sure with all the times this story has been redone that at you have some idea of the story that unfolds. The greedy Ebenezer Scrooge is taught the error of his ways, through insight and perspective given to him by being haunted by several ghosts. This story isn’t that much different. The night before Christmas Ebenezer, voiced by Jim Carry, is paid a visit by a former business partner, a partner that has been dead for seven years. The ghastly specter is wrapped in chains attached to cement like blocks, He looks a lot like he might have been done in by the mob and sent to the bottom of a lake. Between the incessant cries of sorrow and over use of the phrase “Woe is me.” The eerily opaque spook explains to his frightened geriatric colleague that unless he changes his ways, their fates would be one in the same. But that he know of a way Scrooge might redeem himself for the wretched life he has lived. As well that as part of this redemption Ebenezer would be called upon by three other apparitions. The first ghost is a small nearly child like creature, with a dancing flame for a head that hovers lightly above a candlestick shaped body, This whimsical impish phantom jumps and dances around like the flame that rests above it’s shoulders. Grabbing Scrooge by the hand they fly off traveling back to Christmases of the past. Ebenezer is shown memories from past holidays and people he’s lost. The second ghoul to drop in on the feeble old miser sits upon a thrown that resembles a towering pile of gifts and presents. “Bhahahaha ho-ho-ho ha-ha”, constantly bellows the jolly spirit, with a plush light brown beard and plump round belly the second phantom closely resembles a young St. Nicolas. I found the repetitive rolling laughter of this character, which in the theater was loud and annoying, over the top and useless. This time the whole room is wisped away to the present Christmas to be, and the view of what’s to come are seen through the floor which is as transparent as glass. The third and final tourist to the Scrooge home is best described as the grim reaper. He’s dark, scary and as silent as death it self. You can sense the fear Ebenezer must feel as the black skeleton claw lurks off the screen. The grisly specter, riding in a black coach draw by black shadowlike horses with red glowing eyes, chases Scrooge through visions of Christmases to come. Forcing him to come to face his own demise and the truth that upon his death no one will morn him. Ebenezer Scrooge is changed by his encounter with the ghosts. And awakes from the experience longing to be a better person. Despite the addition of an entire third dimension Disney’s A Christmas carol still lacks depth. Is it worth seeing? I would say yeah, but probably try to catch it in theaters. This movie is not one to watch on pay-per-view, or to rent at Hastings. If you miss out on the 3D version then you miss out on, in my opinion, the only thing that makes this movie worth seeing. If you remove the 3D and the great graphic detail of the characters, you are left with a story line that spends so much time trying to be spooky you it seems to loses sense that it’s a holiday picture about spreading good will. Sure it ends with the traditional Scrooge hoisting tiny Tim on his shoulders, as the optimistic cripple shouts “God bless us, each and every one.” And sure it takes place at Christmas. But this film is more a scared straight story, where the lesson learned by Ebenezer Scrooge isn’t “good will toward men,” but rather, “if you don’t want to die alone be nice to people.” If this film is a success it will truly be a Christmas miracle.… Expand

This movie is ahead of it's time! it's brilliant, creative, and heartwarming. Way to go IMD and Disney! If you have not seen it yet, what are you waiting for?

An exhilarating telling of the Dickens classic. Although the film is scary at some points, it still is a must-see for children of all ages.

This movie is not for wee ones..We took 2 of our grandchildren last night (4 & 5 yrs ).They were asleep in under 10 minutes..BUT WE WERE SPELLBOUND....Our kids are accustomed to 3-D.. no biggie.. but without dialog comprehension ..all that was left was frightful (though spectacular) cinematic OMG.. Zemeckis' use of pure Dickens’s prose sends the little'uns directly to the bastions of snoreville... Tonight we are taking the older children (12 and up) and expect they will be amazed.… Expand

Motion capture captures terror. Everything looks dead on the screen, especially the people, so the sterility of the technology support the scenes where warmth is in absence. (That's why Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim don't quite come across; they're supposed to be warm bodies with warmth.) The whole sequence leading up to Ebenezer Scrooge's visitation by The Ghost of Christmas Past contains more dread than most live-action films centered around haunted houses. You understand Scrooge's need to keep a fire going in the fireplace. It's not so much the snow, but the depth of his loneliness, communicated by the pot of thick soup he eats with a wooden serving spoon. There's no woman's touch in this house, no domesticity, no need for a plate and utensils. The flames can't lick the unreachable cold that has a deep freeze on his heart. Maybe the haunted house tropes work in "A Christmas Carol" because Scrooge's desolation is two-fold. Alone in a mansion, and alone in life, the old man realizes that nobody will mourn him, and this fact scares him more than the moving bells, the rattling chains and the dragging sounds of weights, instigated by his old partner Marley, who looks like hell and probably came from hell, too. The Ghost of Christmas Past is a candle. Perfect. A candle provides illumination on the events that are responsible for Scrooge's tortured incarnation. Why did he let the love of his life go? Unfortunately, there's a scene missing, which would explain how money helped him overcompensate for a lonely childhood, to a point where greed superseded his ability to give and receive love. This flaw is more forgivable than the flaw of gratuitous action, so prevalent in the Ghost of Christmas Future section, and skewers the story in favor of 3D effects over fidelity towards the Charles Dickens novella.… Expand

Zemeckis 3D movies look creepy. He should make a zombie movie, since all his characters already seem lifeless.

Sometimes critics are retarded at doing their job. I loved this movie. I thought it was a brilliant and inspiring film. Go see it in 3D.

See it in 3D. Expect it to be scary for the little ones and as long as the weird stop motion method doesn't bother you then prepare to be wowed. I thought the ghosts were a little too easy on Scrooge and he turned "nice" too easily, but it was a fun movie thrill ride! I paid $14 for XD 3D and was not disappointed.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL provides a new creative era of Disney animation style, experiencing all genres in future projects like comedy, musical, philosophical drama, thriller, epic, intimate ... and different animation techniques: 2D, 3D and Mo-Cap. It's an excellent poem narrated as William Shakespeare with a correct oral expression. The animation and the script is very suggestive ... The Alan Silvestri OST is clearly deserves a nomination for this year's Oscars, with permission from Randy Newman and "The Princess And The Frog". It's an excellent opportunity for Disney to resume stories like Snow Queen, Fraidy Cat, Selkies, Lady of the Lake, Swan Lake, Aida, Don Quixote, Musicana, My Peoples, Rumpelstlitskin, Goose Chase and many other examples like Ramayana or Kalevala. But the mind of the American public about the animation is still very closed, because parents are keeping their mind on the entire animation to be familiar. Their complaints have wasted a box office success of A CHRISTMAS CAROL.… Expand

This is the BEST 3D/animated film that I have ever seen. The animation is amazing because they're doing things in this film that could never be done in a live movie. The long action sequence could have been shortened and it wouldn't have taken anything away from the rest of the film. I was completely spellbound and captivated by what was on the screen. Before half the film was over, I had decided to see it again. Great job!… Expand

With a classic like this, the storey is key. The performance capture technique allows Jim Carrey to produce wonderful characters (esp. as Scrooge) that put the tale across in a compelling way. The first 2 spirits while initially jovial and odd, credibly reveal the dark-side of Scrooge in a chilling way. On the downside, I did not feel much empathy for the Tiny Tim character. The finer points and morals of the storey will be lost on kids, e.g. wealth compared to poverty, the children representing Ignorance and Want. I was a little bored in some of the “action” scenes (e.g. the introduction of the ghost of Christmas Yet To Pass) which were presumably put in for the kids, however the film in no way felt long.… Expand

Sorry but this movie epicly failed and jim carry was NOT funny i almost wanted to ask for my money back it looks fake dosent have good acting trys to be funny and then later frighting but fails at both sorry but this should have a 3.

One of the greatest 3D films I have seen since the new realD 3D technology was introduced. Zemeckis as usual succeeds in every aspect, adding action and 3D fun whilst still holding on to what made the original Dickens novel so special in the first place. Jim Carey was the perfect choice as scroodge and with the mixture of his voice acting and the amazing animation (the animation is incredibly detailed showing everything from blemishes to nose hairs) he keeps the story rapidly flowing at a great pace. See this film and make sure you do it in 3D at the movies!!… Expand

I would have walked after the film revealed the hoorible ghost of christmas past if my sister had not treated us. It had such a light voice and a lisp that you couldn't hear a word it said. The animation was redundent and with so few actors playing so many different characters, kids where getting confused whether they were the same person in different suits. Jim Carey and Gary Oldman have fun but i'm afraid thats all who will. Robert Zemekis needs to give up on this medium of film making because it's getting a bit old. I only hope that Peter Jackson and Steven Speilberg don't screw up Tin Tin with the same technology.… Expand

Excellent effort by Robert Zemeckis and his team to create this masterful achievement of animation and style with this wonderful enactment of a classic. Soon to be the best "Carol" in the last 40 years.

I wish critics would review the movie, NOT the motion capture technology used to make the film (like so many critics seem to be doing). If this movie was made with standard CGI, like the Pixar movies, people would be raving. Rather, they keep going back to "Polar Express" and complaining about that! This film is very well done and has plenty of heart, soul and depth. Zemeckis has re-imagined this tale with true artistic vision. His use of technology puts him at the forefront of fine film making. Bravo!… Expand

Very good movie well its the best 3d movie that I ever saw.The art in the movie is very interesting in this film.And thats pretty much it !

I thought this version of A Christmas Carol, was a very interesting one. Jim Carrey adds a new dynamic to the Scrooger character. The technology used to make the film made this rendition captivating.

Plenty of scary scenes, not recommended for children younger than 7 yrs. old. This movie was like a roller coaster ride, some scenes were like watching a masterpiece and then other scenes were just dull. Overall leaving a felling that it could had been better. If it wasn't in 3D it would had been a complete disappointment.

Dickens? Disney? Carrey? Seems like a marriage made in Heaven doesn't it? Well...just a little south of there perhaps. This movie was pretty pointless really. Very little story, very little characterizations (perhaps they think we know all that by now). Mainly an excercise in how to make a big screen, big money 3D (which I didn't see it in) movie! It this is what we are dealing with...spare us! Save yourself some aggravation and watch the 1938 version w/Reginald Owen or if you want a musical the fantastic version known as "Scrooge" w/Albert Finney ( a brilliant rendition). This one..."Bah Humbug".… Expand

A delightful 3-D picture and a faithful rendition of Dickens’ beloved ‘A Christmas Carol’. It’s great to see Hollywood actually treat with respect Christian values and wholesomeness. Our decisions and our actions make up our lives—and ‘A Christmas Carol’ reminds us and makes it clear—that we always have a choice. Well done.

This is a well made movie, It has all the elements today's popcorn crunchers love, it has astounding special effects, moments that pull at the tears and a " happily ever after". The one problem I had with it though, was how scary it must be for kids. I am 27 and throughout the entire movie I was cringing thinking how kids would handle the all to frequent scary scenes, No jokes, that when I walked into the cinema, it spelt of pee, well we know how one kid dealt with it!! I do warn parents to think twice about taking their toddlers, as it has a very dark feel about it!!! However, for those of you over 12...hey...its great fun!!!!… Expand

Animation was very interesting but the rest, horrible. I should have walked out, a complete waste of money. I could even be bothered to pay attention, I was bored out of my mind. The movie didn't draw you in, didn't keep your attention, a total mess. The kids weren't even interested it was a sad insult to Dickens work. Overall it was an overdone mess!!!

Absolutely amazing, the most beautiful thing I've seen all year. This was my first 3D movie and I was completely blown away. And as a movie, this has got to be the best adaption of "A Christmas Carol".

A Christmas Carol is great movie. When you go to see this movie expect nothing more or less than what the book was. The movie stays true to the book for the most part so don't expect any signifigant changes. As far as presentation is concerned A Christmas Carol does a phenominal job that surpasses that of the Polar Express. The movie is visually appealing and emerses you in the world of 17th century London. There were moments where I forgot that this was an animated movie just given how good the presentation was. The voice overs are good although there were a couple that are amusing. As far as capturing the mood of the book, the film does a phenominal job. There plenty of scary moments to be had that I won't ruin here. Let's just say that if you're like me, you'll see them coming but get freaked out anyone and almost spill your popcorn. It's a wild ride/nightmare that you'll just want to end. As scary as it is though, the Ghost of Christmas Past isn't that scary so don't expect much from him All and all A Christmas Carol is a great movie that anyone will enjoy. My only advice to you is to sit back, relax, and enjoy this excellent retelling of one of Charles Dickens' classic tale A Christmas Carol.… Expand

Visually stunning, I and my wife thought this was one of the best version's of this story we have seen. It did capture us emotionally and they made it so magical with all the effects. People who have said they could not hear the ghost of Christmas past must of had a bad seat or something. Very well done the best 3-d I have ever seen, would recommend this highly.

its way too dark and scary for kids, but to be fair, its not a bad movie. Jim Carrey and the other actors were decent and the visuals were good.

Excellent Animated retelling of the Dickens classic,The 3D Immerses you into the faithful recreation of Dickens's world,and travels you along at breakneck speed,a modern day Christmas Classic

It was good. The 3D was 10/10 but I was bored at times.

This movie visually and script-wise is just a little too creepy to be a good adaptation of A Christmas Carol, although it does show some exceptional voice acting from Carey and Oldman.

The story is a christmas classic and it sports amazing visuals, but the visuals seem to overwhelm the movie so it can be a bit tiresome and overlong. 2/4 stars.

I can sum this up in one short phrase: "PG rated horror film." Let me make this clear, this is not a film for kids under 10, or really anyone that's easily frightened (or nauseated for that matter). I'm not saying it's a bad film, but this is not a film for small children. This adaption of the Christmas Carol captures and fleshes out the creepy parts of the tale, leaving the warm and fuzzy parts a little under cooked. The creepy take on this classic is unique, and enjoyable. It's the kind of film that can be enjoyed by a wider audience than if this story had been left to the generic fuzzy ending that so many films have adopted. The story sports more style than previous adaptions. More pizazz, more depth, and more scares. I won't lie, there were times when something startled me; this film is full of GOOD scares, not the silly excuse for jolts that are in so many kid's movies these days. Even though this movie is over two years old, and motion capture has gotten significantly better (Tintin, anyone?), the animation looks great. Everything is well detailed, and everything feels real. However, there's still some stiffness in the moving, and there's one dance scene where gravity and physics are defied so many times, there's no doubt that even kids (kids that can take the scares) will point them out. I mentioned earlier that this is like a PG rated horror film. I liked this unique aspect, but I thought you might like to know what's ahead of you: a pretty creepy scene where a talking corpse (in translucent ghost form) has a conversation with Scrooge, for one. The scene is surprisingly scary, and at one point, the corpse' jaw becomes disconnected when he screams. There's no gore, but it's pretty icky anyway. In addition to this, we see another corpse (it's played as a surprise for laughs), an old wrinkled head, a fat man who's skin blows off him like dust, and two vicious goblin creatures who are very reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. The score is appropriately Christmasy, but it's not outstanding. It does a good job of setting the mood of each scene, though, but I've heard much better Christmas scores. Jim Carrey does a hilarious job as Scrooge. He's grumpy and despicable, but because you recognize him as Carrey, you can't take him seriously. This isn't really a bad thing, but it might irritate die-hard Dickens fans. There's also one boring, tedious, and completely unnecessary chase scene, that makes little sense, which was most likely added for the benefit of any kids in the audience (who, as I've made a point of mentioning, are brave enough to take the scares). Also, the ending is incredibly corny (though we get the feeling that Carrey was overdoing it for his own entertainment), and little Timmy barely gets any mentioning. Overall, this is an entertaining flick and even though flawed, is a fun and creepy delight. I recommend this film to anyone who likes Jim Carrey, The Christmas Carol, motion capture, or the creeps.… Expand