A Christmas Carol

When I first watched this movie I didn't even get to see the whole thing but even without the ending I knew this was worth watching again so when Hallmark repeated it I naturally sat back down and didn't move from beginning to end. This is a beautifully put together film and the cast is fabulous. Jennifer Love Hewitt as Emily was the best rendition of the role I'd ever seen. The role is small but she managed to do something with her two short scenes that I have never seen done in any version of this story. The score is something I could listen to for weeks on end especially my two favourite songs: The Nights Of Long Ago and A Place Called Home. Both these songs were beautifully performed especially by the two main ladies (The Ghost of Christmas past and Emily). The weird thing is that when I first heard the score I didn't realize it was written by Alan Menken. I have been a fan of this composer for years ever since I was a kid watching the classic Disney movies like 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Aladdin'. I swear that when I first watched it I said "Wow! this sounds like something Alan Menken would write". So you can imagine my delight at finding out it was in fact him who composed the music for this film. I say that if you read reviews before seeing the movie it's a waste of time because someone's always going to disagree with your final decision of what you think of the film. So don't take my word for it... Watch the movie and make up your own mind about it. It will be repeated on Hallmark on the 25th and 26th of the month and early next year as well. I hope you'll/you'v Enjoy/ed the film as much as I have. Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

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.

Well, from everyones reaction, I expected to HATE this movie, but I was pleasantly surprised! I really think people expected too much. This is a TV movie, not a Broadway musical! For a TV movie, it does it's job VERY well. As a Theatre lover, I really enjoyed everyone in the cast. Jesse L. Martin was wonderful, as was Kelsey Grammar. It was Jennifer Love Hewitt who REALLY surprised me though. What a lovely voice!! She really is a terrific actress. She's only in two scenes, and she steals both of them. Her song "A Place Called Home" with the Young Ebeneezer is a genuinely touching moment. Most of the score is VERY hummable, and i've always enjoyed Meknens music. I really don't get all the hatred this movie has gotten. Sure it has it's problems, but we can't always expect perfection, especially from a made-for-TV movie. I will Definitely buy the DVD when it comes out!!

I read some of the comments regarding this version of A Christmas Carol and someone wrote about the bad "English accents." I found it ironic because four members of the ensemble are British musicals stars in their own right. They are Linzi Hateley, Claire Moore, Ruthie Henshall and Dave Willets. While Kelsy Grammar is great as a performer I wasn't sure about his take on Scrooge. His moodiness was like that of Frasier Crane. He was upstaged by all of the Christmas ghosts particularly Jesse L Martin. Jane Krakowski sexiness as the Ghost of Christmas past seems a little out of place. On the whole it is a good production and well sung. I did like this version and wouldn't mind watching it again even if the non English actor's have bad "English accents."

I thought this was a pretty good musical of Charles Dickens' classic. Greedy and selfish Scrooge gets visited by the ghosts of colleague Jacob Marley, Christmas Past, Present, and Future and is reformed into a more giving human being.

While a pretty nice and feel-good film, I wished Jennifer Love Hewitt would of gotten more screen time. Other than that, the story, acting, choreography and music were generally on spot. The special effects were well done. Jane Krakowski's portrayal as the Christmas Ghost of the Past was my favorite. They could have, though, used a better Bob Cratchit though, as I think he gave a weak performance.

Overall, a nice feel-good Christmas film that is perfect for the entire family.

Grade B