A Christmas Carol 3D Blu-ray (2009) [Region Free]

[ilovenola2]

Originally Posted by charlieray1

While it's faithful to the basic events (and includes bits not found in other versions) it overdoes many of them to the point of not being accurate at all. In the book for example, Christmas Present grows older and says that his life will end at midnight. Unlike any other version, this film includes that - but it becomes this ridiculous horror scene where he clutches his heart in agony as the clock strikes, falls to the ground writhing and laughing as he dies and decomposes to a cackling skeleton! It's so grotesque that it ruins both the scene and Dickens' intent. Same thing with the ghostly children Ignorance and Want.

By the time you add in Scrooge flying around the moon, shrinking, surfing on an icicle or being menaced by a towering rat, the additions have done serious damage to the focus of the story. All the dialogue in the future sequence is lifted from the book ... but who hears it? It's in the background as our focus is on tiny Scrooge caught in the bed curtains or trying to avoid being crushed so the message is lost. What you remember is Scrooge running from a rat, not the lesson he learns.

The 3D is great, and some parts of the movie are truly excellent. I watch it most years (mostly for the 3D) but every time I do I end up thinking "If only ...". Parts of it get a A+ from me, but wretched excess takes it down to about a C+.

The less "accurate" but better focused Sim and Scott versions are vastly superior to me.

I agree with you to some extent. I too think there is too much excess in the flying, chase sequences. But there is much more that I like.
Again I agree with you regarding the Sim version (which I think has never been equalled or topped) is the best of all. And I've never seen the Scott version (though I must at some point, just missed it). Now the impossible-to-find "solo" rendition of the novel, read "as Dickens" by the brilliant actor Anton Lesser is a treat. Who needs cinematography or animation when ONE great actor can paint it all with a brilliant script and his major talent! Oh-- and don't forget "your IMAGINATION," something that has gotten away from later generations.

So let's agree to disagree here. I like the Zemeckis 3D version more than you but we agree completely on the best!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!