blumdeluxe "The Muppet Christmas Carol" is another adaption of a classic novel by the Muppet show, displaying the famous play by Charles Dickens this time. It tells the story of an old man who is greedy and hated by almost everyone around him. When three ghosts appear and show him the reality of past, present and future, he soon begins to rethink his believes.The producers did create a cute and heart-warming movie here. While it is not utterly creative to start another adaption of the Dickens novel and nobody would've really missed it, it still includes a lot of intelligent humor that makes the time fly by and enough fluffy puppets to get the audience emotionally involved. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the singing parts, but on the other hand those belong to all of the older Disney movies as well and therefor will add a touch of nostalgia for all the Disney fans out there.All in all this is great for people with children or fans of the Muppets. For anyone else it still has its entertainment value but it won't have the same impact.

goreilly40 If you ever wanted to see how a classic piece of literature should be adapted to form which children can watch and really enjoy, while keeping the essence of the story intact, this is it. The movie, considering its stars, is surprisingly faithful to Charles Dickens novel, Michael Caine turns in a brilliant performance as Ebeneezer Scrooge, one who wouldn't look out of place in any version of the story. The other characters from the novel played by the Muppet's, Bob Cratchit and his family, Jacob Marley etc are really well done, and don't diverge from the original novel too much, and including Charles Dickens himself as narrator was a clever touch as it gave my favourite Muppet character Gonzo a role which 'he' did really well, as was bringing in Jacob Marley's brother so Statler and Waldorf could essentially play themselves, hilariously. The three ghosts, past present and future are all well done, maybe the Ghost of Christmas Present was a bit too jolly as the character is really serious under his jolly persona. The Ghost of Christmas Future is one of the few times this character has been portrayed correctly, with more emphasis on subtlety and less emphasis on fear, as was that scene when Scrooge realizes the consequences of his actions, and scene of the death of Tiny Tim was genuinely moving when the Cratchits are on the verge of tears, you can see the sorrow and sadness in the characters, not an easy task when working with puppets. The music numbers help to move the story along and add to the story, again, no easy task when dealing with classical literature. This adaptation of Charles Dickens classic novel is well done, very faithful and just plain enjoyable for all the family, not just children, even if you haven't read the novel, a perfect place to start for children to enjoy classic literature.

Hitchcoc This is a masterpiece. Not because it follows Dickens' marvelous story to the letter, but because it uses the Muppets to take the story to a wonderfully creative level. Michael Caine is Scrooge and he plays him really well. He never flinches at the fact that his clerk is a frog, that Tiny Tim is also a frog, and so on. Jacob Marley is played by those two old guys who carry on a commentary on the Muppet Show. As Scrooges wades through the famous story, meeting the ghosts of past, present, and yet to come, we are starting to believe that what we see on the screen are real characters. There are some wonderful songs that move the plot nicely along. Of course, the Muppets are incredible jokester, punning and dropping one-liners at will. Of course, we have to accept that Scrooge was apprenticed by old Fozziwig at a rubber chicken factory. Make this an annual event at the holidays.

Scarecrow-88 This time we got our very own Muppet version of the Dickens' classic about the ole skinflint, his miserable view of the Christmas season, and how he gets a good talking to by three ghosts that visit him during the night/early morn before Christmas Day. Michael Caine makes Ebenezer Scrooge his own, hitting all the right notes from how he begins as a grouchy, ill moneylender gradually eroded of his negativity when facing his past as a child neglected, gaining affection upon meeting his former fiancé at his old employer, seeing how he is viewed by his nephew, nephew's friends and family and Cratchet's family, and facing the potential of his own demise. As far as the Muppets go, all the favorites are here and accounted for: Gonzo as the "narrator, Charles Dickens" with Rizzo, the rat, as his companion, Kermit as Bob Cratchet, Miss Piggy as Kermit's wife, Statler and Waldorf as "the Marleys", Dr. Bunsen and Beaker as street charity merchants, Fozzy as Fezziewig (named Fozziwig for the adaptation), with the likes of Animal, Swedish chef, and Rolf appearing in bit parts as Scrooge journeys from one time of his life to another. The lavish production design of the city and some excellent camera-work following different walks throughout London as Scrooge makes his way to his place of business to his home (and then the ghosts carrying him from one era of his life to another) are definite highlights, while the heavily criticized Williams' songs weren't that bad to me I didn't exactly consider them the success of the film. Caine does have his own led song at the end when he is converted from the crippling rot of seasonal angst to joyfully celebratory charitable delight…he does show that transition from beginning to end as only a seasoned pro could. It is fun to see Kermit as Cratchet although the Tiny Tim part of the story that typically guarantees Niagara Falls for some reason just seems lacking this go-around. Piggy reacting to Scrooge on Christmas Day while he's trying to tell Kermit about his raise is one of my favorite scenes, although I thought Gonzo and Rizzo steal every moment they're on screen, (which are far more than I had anticipated) and are one of the main reasons to seek this out during the Holiday season. Another highlight: a younger Statler and Waldorf mocking Fozziewig from an upper floor balcony at his company party during the trip to Christmas Present. Caine wisely doesn't camp it up with the Muppets as Scrooge, deciding to play the character straight. A London filled with Muppets in a Dickens Christmas Carol, especially at the beginning and end with Scrooge first grim and glum then later blissful and bright makes the world a better place. I recommend this adaptation for early December viewing, as kind of a starter for the more serious and dramatic versions later in the month. Gonzo and Rizzo following along with us during Scrooge's trips keeps the tone light and slapstick alive; they certainly add some fun to the proceedings.