Written by Jerry Juhl
Directed by Brian Henson
Ghost of Christmas Past: "Let us see another Christmas in this place."
Ebenezer: "They were all very much the same. Nothing ever changed."
Ghost of Christmas Past: "You changed."
You can never beat a take on A Christmas Carol and there isn't one as charming as this one from The Muppets. Even the most cold hearted cynic has to moved by this one.
Anyways you've got The Great Gonzo (Dave Goelz) as Charles Dickens. Along with Rizzo the Rat (Steve Whitmire) as himself, the two of them run down this festive tale of one man whose miserly ways caught up with him. The man in question being Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) of course.
Scrooge was a banker who made a lot of money and very little in the way of friends with even his employees fearing him and his neighbours despising him. Of course there was those who saw some good in Ebenezer or at least wanted him to be a better man.
Those people included his lovestruck nephew Fred (Steven Mackintosh) and his most loyal employee, Bob Cratchit as played by Kermit the Frog (Steve Whitmire). Neither of them could initially thaw the iciness of Scrooge so it was for some ghosts to show up and do that instead.
The ghosts being of the Past (Jessica Fox), the Present (Jerry Nelson) and Yet To Come (Don Austin). All of whom raking over Ebenezer's life, showing him the folly of his ways and consequences if he doesn't change for the better. Needless to say like every adaptation that's not Blackadder, you know how this one ends.
Yup, Scrooge changed his ways, got a big turkey and visited the Cratchits and managed to not get the full wrath of Mrs Cratchit played by Miss Piggy (Frank Oz). Overall, lessons were learned and Ebenezer emerged as a better man.
- This movie was the directing debut for Brian Henson and Scrooge was also one of Michael Caine's favourite roles.
- There's a nice dedication to both Jim Henson and Richard Hunt at the end of the movie.
- Standout music: Scrooge, When Love Is Gone, It Feels Like Christmas, One More Sleep Til Christmas and Thankful Heart.
- Chronology: Nineteenth century London during Christmas Eve and Day.
The Muppet Christmas Carol is sweet, heartwarming and one of the best adaptations of the iconic novel. I loved it as a child and as an adult I still love it. It's just fabulous stuff.
Rating: 9 out of 10
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