Movie Review: Disney's "A Christmas Carol"

On Friday night, Cheryl watched Jamie so that Jason and I could have a date night. After FINALLY being able to make a little money this week, we splurged: we had dinner AND went to see a MOVIE! In the REGULAR (not cheap) theater!! Not only that, we each got our own plates at Red Robin instead of just sharing one meal! Also, Jason got me a chocolate-covered strawberry at a candy shop. So sweet of him. (Ha, ha.) We did use CostCo movie tickets, though, the two for fifteen deal they have there. Movie prices in CA are so nuts. It was SUCH a nice night! I think we both allowed ourselves to feel more carefree than we have in a long time.

Anyway, I know I'm a dork for doing three posts in one day, but I'm at someone else's house, Jason is off visiting friends, and I'm bored.

We were pretty skeptical going in to see "A Christmas Carol," because the previews really make it look cheesy, like it's just Scrooge flying and falling all over London to make the most of the 3D. Not at all!

We really liked it, for these reasons:

(1) The animation was incredible, and the 3D was really well-done. It was worth paying extra.

(2) The story and language of the Dickens novel were kept very much intact. I expected it to be changed for kids, but it wasn't. We actually wouldn't recommend this movie for very young children, because the ghostliness was almost suprisingly well-done, the story accurate, and throughout, you feel the fear that the ghosts strike into Scrooge's heart much more personally than when Scrooge McDuck or the Muppets have portrayed it.

(3) I loved the music. The score was beautiful, and incorporated lots of Christmas carols, beautifully performed, that actually speak directly of the Savior! (Have you ever listened to the Chipmunks' Christmas music? I love it, but never a religious word. They even change religious ones to stay neutral. Grr.) To hear it actually made me teary.

(4) The actors did great. I was afraid I'd be annoyed with Jim Carrey's ham-iness, like when he did The Grinch, but he just made himself sound like a grumpy old British guy, and he did lots of voices besides Scrooge and I didn't even notice. Also, you can't help but love the goodness in most of the characters.

(5) It was a feel-good movie. I mean, yeah, you have to go through the haunting and face Scrooge's past mistakes with him, but you rejoice with him at the end and want to be a better person, too.

So head over to CostCo, and then to your local theater! :)