Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009)
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Reviews Counted:165
Fresh:91
Rotten:74
Average Rating:5.9/10
Consensus: Robert Zemeckis' 3-D animated take on the Dickens classic tries hard, but its dazzling special effects distract from an array of fine performances from Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman.
Genre: Childrens
US Box Office: $104,927,816
Synopsis: Director Robert Zemeckis (THE POLAR EXPRESS) continues to work his holiday magic with A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This 3-D adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic will use the motion capture technology... [More]
Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Reviews for Disney's A Christmas Carol
| Tomatometer | Critic | Review | Category |
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 3.5/5 |
This motion-capture animated adaptation is a real Christmas cracker. Full Review |
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3/5 |
Enough elements of Dickens's story remain for a viewer to be refreshed by Scrooge's change of heart, and to be moved by his rediscovery of the Christmas spirit that climaxes the story. Full Review |
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4/5 |
Against the odds, this Disney version, written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, could be the best adaptation to date of the story. Full Review |
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4/5 |
Even as [Zemeckis] uses the 3D process to turn A Christmas Carol into a rollercoaster ride through a solidly built fantasy world, he never forgets that at bottom the tale is an awful warning about how egoism and greed can destroy your humanity. Full Review |
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There are nightmarish images, ghostly themes and a feeling that it might be a bit much for kids, but it's a touching film with visuals that will blow your mind. It's a trip. Full Review |
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Conceptually brilliant with mind-blowing special effects, but who is the intended audience of this visual extravaganza? Certainly not children: the content is far too dark with haunting imagery that could provoke nightmares for impressionable youngsters Full Review |
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 2/4 |
Robert Zemeckis' infatuation with the motion-capture animation process has officially gone too far... Full Review |
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6/10 |
There's no heart, and I don't put it simply on the visuals that almost look real at times. Amazing 3D is the only thing this dark version does really well. Full Review |
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C |
...there isn't much to fall in love with in Robert Zemeckis's visually overpowering motion-capture-animation... Full Review |
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2.5/4 |
takes full advantage of the technologies available, but fails to illuminate or otherwise expand Dickens' story in any meaningful ways Full Review |
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2.5/4.0 |
If you're remaking a classic merely to one-up whoever remade it previously, is it really worth the effort? Fortunately, Jim Carrey decided not to waste a wasted opportunity. Full Review |
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5/10 |
Watching the humans in this live action/animation combo is like watching 'Zombies On Parade' Full Review |
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2.5/4 |
The 3D isn't enough to justify yet another version of this familiar tale; the film seems more opportunistic than necessary. Full Review |
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B |
This film is dark and scary enough that it just might scare some in the audience straight. Full Review |
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4/5 |
It is done with skill and imagination, and overseen by a director, Robert Zemeckis, who knows the value of occasionally quietening things down for a bit of tension or a precisely timed joke. Full Review |
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Faithfully rendered and extremely frightening. Full Review |
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B |
What's curious about the movie is that you can tart it up all you want, but Dickens' words still resonate, his characters still infuriate, frighten and touch, and there's still satisfaction to be had in his tale. Full Review |
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3/5 |
Jamais deixa de impressionar. Full Review |
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2.5/5 |
It's a film so determined to make you notice it, that it comes across like an obnoxious child screaming, 'Look at me!' Full Review |
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4/5 |
... the heart of the story is there, and Zemeckis honors and respects it. Full Review |
CommentLatest News for Disney's A Christmas Carol
November 17, 2009:
Disney's Christmas Wishes Coming True 
Robert Zemeckis' "A Christmas Carol" has divided critics, but Disney was hoping for a holiday movie with long theatrical legs -- and so far, the studio couldn't be happier. More...
November 08, 2009:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Christmas Carol Tops, Precious Rocks
This weekend Moviegoers powered Jim Carrey's holiday kidpic A Christmas Carol to a number one opening but some fans remained stingy preventing the Disney 3D toon from meeting... More...
November 05, 2009:
Critics Consensus: A Christmas Carol Dazzles But Disappoints
This week at the movies, we've got some modern-day Dickens (Disney's A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman); a button-pushing thriller (The Box, starring... More...
November 04, 2009:
Ho-ho-horror! 10 Scary Christmas Movies
This week's eerie mo-cap rendering of the ghostly, dark Dickens morality tale 'A Christmas Carol' from director Robert Zemeckis is far from being the only yuletide movie where... More...
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