Reviews

Charles Dickens' books weren't originally written for children at all. They were dark, yet truthful allegories on life for the common man in Victorian England. Given that background, then, I don't expect to have to watch a black-and-white grainy film with horrible sound to experience a "moving" version of Dickens' a Christmas Carol. I was moved, amazed and a couple of times made seasick by THIS version. I thought it was wonderful. I had never experienced IMAX or 3D, and taking a chance on this film because the Michael Jackson movie was no longer showing was pure serendipity. I was amazed at how lifelike computer images could become now. It was like the technology they use on quBo's "Jane and the Dragon" only the detail is 1000 times better! Hair, skin, clothing, textiles, a candle's flame - I was astounded by it all. AMC theater provided me with cool goggle-like 3D glasses that weren't the cheesy red/blue paper kind but a greenish/ mauve combination that fit reasonably well over my prescription lenses. From that point I pretty much viewed the film - twice, once in Boston and again in Oklahoma City - with my mouth open in amazement. Younger children (grade school and younger) will need to stick to the Donald Duck version. More mature kids who have a tolerance for scary movies will enjoy this, unless of course they feel it wasn't scary enough! I myself didn't flinch even once, but remembering that none of this was real always helps in that regard! And if you stay for the credits and appreciate reading the names of those who pulled off this technological coup, you are rewarded by Andrea Bocelli's beautiful Christmas song, "God Bless Us Every One", performed as nobody else can do it. I don't know if buying the DVD will be as enjoyable, unless they include copious amounts of Director's commentary to talk about the wonderful special effects. Dickens' story is all there, so what if they embellished a little, we all know how it ends before we even go to see it. For me is was that trip from beginning to end that has sold me on this film. I hate Jim Carrey, but I loved this film. I have definitely been spoiled now by this technology and hope more films will be made this way. This is the first 3D film I have ever seen on the big screen - thanks to Disney's A Christmas Carol, it won't be the last.

Glenn Carter can sing like a woman in one instant and like an angel in another. He's fabulous! One thing I loved about this is the diversity of the cast. If Mary Magdalene can be black, I don't then mind that they portray Jesus of Nazareth as blond and blue-eyed; this is art, not truth, after all, and Webber and Rice are certainly allowed some license. Of all the actors, though, I have to tip my hat to the Frenchman, Jerome Pradon. He was outstanding in his agony. The actor who plays Pilate comes a close second. Heck, everybody's good. Personally I NEVER cared for the original play/movie, but this update more than makes up for it. I've got to say, though, Jesus Christ Superstar has one of the most difficult-to-watch scourging scenes I've ever seen. (I haven't seen The Passion of The Christ and have no intention of doing so. May change my mind in 50 years, though.)

I wouldn't dare presume to tell people what they are and are not going to like. I'm going to instead describe what I like. I love the imagination in this film. I love it that Johnny Depp is acting like the 40-year-old he is, and I think he's matured beautifully as an actor. As someone who doesn't speak with a British accent, he nonetheless had me convinced he was Irish or Scottish or whatever he was supposed to be. Compared to Jodie Foster's trying to be British in the otherwise wonderful "The King and I", Mr. Depp was fabulous. I loved the Tim Burtonish touches in this film that reminded me so much of another wonderful movie, "Big Fish". And the children. What wonderful children, especially young Freddie. As the trivia section suggests, the screenwriter took some artistic license with the truth; but since when has the truth gotten in the way of a good story? I have no idea what the criteria are for Oscar films; but I wouldn't be surprised if this were a contender, even though I want "Ray" to win.

As a genre, I love the so-called "coming-of-age" movies. This one, even though it's French, is one I watch over and over again since I bought the VHS tape. I don't know why it's not available on DVD in the United States,; I know that it is available in Europe. The little girl in the movie is the perfect little tomboy, and has loads to teach her summer friend about life. It's based in the 50s when worldly kids were actually kind of rare. Then there's the heartbreaking sub-story of a childless couple who haven't been intimate in years due to the loss of their own child. Louis gives them both the kind of love they've never known, and they realize what's been missing in their lives. It's just a beautiful story, and I would love for this film to be re-introduced in the United States for a new generation to discover and enjoy. There was an American remake done in the early nineties, but it sucked royally compared to the original French film.