While this is not the most faithful of adaptions by a long shot, nor is it a version I intend to return to, this version isn't without its merits. The bumpy start include some very weak lyrics and less than stellar songs, but the movie finally gets its legs under itself when Marley arrives.
Returning back to it being a less than completely faithful adaption, that doesn't mean there aren't some interesting choices made in this movie--Kelsey Grammar tries to reach out to his past in various heart wrenching scenes which have fallen flat in other versions and show that this Scrooge has a heart that you can cheer for and wish for him to complete his turn around by the ending. This continues on with the other ghosts, although the Future segment is presented in a very stripped down (as in it's all in one set instead of bouncing around various locations) fashion that might leave some wanting more.
Again, not the most faithful or the best version of this tale, but fun for a completionist who wants to compare various adaptions or for someone who just found the movie while flipping channels or picking through a streaming menu. Also, I appreciate the interesting costume for the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, who isn't just a shadowy, skeletal figure in a shroud, which makes her stand out from other versions.
Although, I do have one strange gripe--some of the at night scenes are shot in broad daylight with no attempt to hide the light coming in through the windows. And yet, there are other scenes that are at least shot on dark sound stages. There HAD to be better ways to at least disguise the day-for-night shots.
