A Christmas Carol (ImageMovers)

[CampbellzSoup]

So what did you guys think about it?

Apparenlty it's not getting that many good reviews I plan to see this after thanksgiving with the fam.

[pap64]

So what did you guys think about it?

Apparenlty it's not getting that many good reviews I plan to see this after thanksgiving with the fam.

This is an instance where reviews should be taken with a grain of salt. Many people here saw the movie and enjoyed it. And if the drop off was small this week it means other people liked it as well.

My issue is that some of the reviews mainly focus on attacking the film's animation for not being "true" animation, which I think is unfair.

[Margos]

Here here, Pap! It was a wonderful film, made in an unpopular medium. I don't see why people have to make such a big deal about that, when there really are so many lovely things that could be said about it!

[yukitora]

saw this in IMAX 3D yesterday. For some reason I expected the imax screen to be bigger...

anyhow the film was so intense! Haven't seen anything like this from Disney (their main label) is a long while. I liked how true to the novella it was. I loooved all the ghost parts but like the critics said the opening and end lacked any soul, artistry and christmas spirit... those parts were kinda painful to sit through.

The 3D was used very well in this film. It wouldn't have the same profound effect in a 2D viewing.

[blackcauldron85]

Minor spoilers, but nothing big at all (the article has Jim's review, and a review of the Art Of book):

“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” serves up quality holiday schmaltz
http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/ ... maltz.aspx

[goofystitch]

Unless I'm mistaken, there is no physical album of this.

Yeah, Disney has stopped releasing physical CD soundtracks for films that are mostly score. So movies with lots of music, like 'The Princess and the Frog' and 'Hannah Montana: The Movie' have had physical releases, but films that are mostly score, like 'Up' and 'A Christmas Carol' are only available for digital download.

[Matt]

Unless I'm mistaken, there is no physical album of this. chicken is right, if you just select the "buy album" option, you'll get every track that's listed.

Yes, you can purchase the entire soundtrack here on www.amazon.com by clicking here:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz

You may also purchase this on Itunes as well, but I prefer Amazon MP3 Store over Itunes. It's less of a hassle to me and sometimes cheaper.

Also you can purchase Andrea Bocelli new Christmas CD titled "My Christmas" it has the End title track on a physical CD. Even though it's just the End Title, I really recomment the CD because it is really great!

If you purchase the CD at Target, it comes with a bonus DVD with two music videos (Ave Maria and White Christmas) and a exclusive interview.

I also have the song up on my 2nd gift to all UD posters for a limited time.

[SpringHeelJack]

Unless I'm mistaken, there is no physical album of this.

Yeah, Disney has stopped releasing physical CD soundtracks for films that are mostly score. So movies with lots of music, like 'The Princess and the Frog' and 'Hannah Montana: The Movie' have had physical releases, but films that are mostly score, like 'Up' and 'A Christmas Carol' are only available for digital download.

It cheeses me off that they do that. I'm a huge fan of movie scores, and I hate that I have to download something with lower sound quality than I would get on a CD. Sadly, it seems that's the way I'll be getting Pixar scores from now on, until someone leaks a lossless academy promo. Ironically, making the CD digitally available makes me want to get it illicitly even more.

[pap64]

Finally saw the movie. All I have to say is... WHAT A FANTASTIC FILM!

In all seriousness, the movie went beyond my expectations, and still surprised me despite being the same old Christmas Carol story. This movie is proof that sometimes, it's not about the story you tell, its HOW you tell it that matter.

First of all, those doubtful of Jim Carrey's performance need not to worry. He does not relive Count Olaf with Scrooge. He does an amazing performance. He is not overly comical not overly dramatic. He was so great that at times I forgot Scrooge was being played my Jim Carrey. His overall performance was fantastic.

He was also great as the spirits, though the Ghost of Christmas Past was more of a typical Jim Carrey character, though near the end he came to his own.

Speaking of the ghosts... HOLY CRAP WERE THESE SPIRITS SCARY! Zemeckis did an incredible job with their scenes. What could have been a tired re-tread came out amazingly fresh and scary. You truly do feel that Scrooge was scared straight, and when the movie ends you believe that he is a changed man. I especially loved how the spirits kept reminding him of his ignorance and comments about the holiday and people in general.

The mocap was good, and while the eyes were still dead I thought the look fit the story very, very well.

Overall, I thought this was a great film and a significant improvement over Zemeckis' other holiday movie, The Polar Express. Anyone bashing the movie because it has Jim Carrey or uses motion capture should shut up and go see the film. If you aren't the least impressed by the haunting representation of the classic story then many you need a visit of a couple of spirits to set the record straight.

[blackcauldron85]

Caroling in Foreign Lands
http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/ ... lands.html

[Stats87]

I saw the film yesterday and I liked it on almost every level.

My one complaint would be that I felt the ending lacked emotional resonance. All the pieces and parts were there, but it felt a little rushed and underwhelming. It almost seems like they ran out of time and couldn't flesh out the end, specifically the Bob/Tiny Tim part.

I thought the "eye issue" was much better this time around, especially for Scrooge who had fairly active eyes.

I loved the parts where the camera would just whirl around the city (especially early in the film) as it was beautiful to look at.

[pap64]

I agree about the ending. I felt it was rushed and needed more minutes for it to be fully fleshed out. Maybe I am just used to how other Christmas Carol adaptations have Scrooge joining the Cratchit family and showing how Tiny Tim accepts Scrooge into his life.

I also thought it was weird how Bob breaks the fourth wall and narrates the last half of the ending.

[Margos]

Well, the thing you mentioned in white was probably done so that they actual wording from the book (which directly addresses the reader) could be used as another tie to the original, without bringing in a whole new narrator just for that one scene.

[Stats87]

Personally, my favorite Christmas Carol ending is Mickey's. It was quick and short, because it was a short movie of course, but it took care of all the little bits and ended on a touching high note.

The Muppet's one was very good as well.

It's just that with this film, you spend 90 or so minutes with this character and witness some unpleasant scenes and memories. You know how the movie is gonna and you observe this unfortunate events with the notion you're in line for the happy-ending payoff. I think it started great with him waking up and going outside, but the second half...underwhelming.

[Barbossa]

I'm going to check it out once December finally arrives, so not this week but the following week.

[ajmrowland]

Nice Avatar, Barbossa!

[Elladorine]

I'm hoping to see this sometime after Thanksgiving. Should really put me in the Christmas spirit!

[slave2moonlight]

Yeah, hope I didn't post this already, but I hope to see it the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving. I'll need something fun that weekend since I'll be in Austin helping my sister move to a new apartment, and that means Thanksgiving at Cracker Barrel. First Thanksgiving not at home (or at a relative's) with all the fixin's. Probably won't get to do any Black Friday stuff or see the Macy's Parade either, since my sis doesn't have a TV. Unless they stream it online somewhere...

[blackcauldron85]

I just saw the movie! I liked it. I didn't like it as much as Mickey's Christmas Carol or A Muppet Christmas Carol, but I have to say, it's my third favorite version of the story. Of course, it's only the third version I've seen.

Really, though, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It definitely earned it's PG rating- I enjoyed the spookiness. The only time the animation bothered me was when Fezziwig and his wife were dancing. They looked a little weird, but besides that, I enjoyed the animation.

I think that with this movie, if you already know the story, it's a different experience; there aren't many movies I go to where I know the whole story, but the 3D was excellent, and all the acting was really good- the visuals were great, the music was great. It was a really nice movie-going experience. And I was the only one there. And even though it was in 3D, it cost the same as a non-3D film, which I was excited about!

[pap64]

Since Amy kindly brought this thread back up, the movie have stayed on the top 10 most watched movies. The movie has now earned 100 million in just the States, which means that the movie will definitely make its money back, thanks to both North American and world wide numbers.