The Muppet Christmas Carol

Plot synopsis:
On Christmas Eve, in 19th Century London, Charles Dickens (played by Gonzo the Great) and his friend Rizzo act as narrators throughout the film. Ebenezer Scrooge, a surly money-lender, does not share the merriment of Christmas. Scrooge rejects his nephew Fred's invitation to Christmas dinner, dismisses two gentlemen's collecting money for charity, and tosses a wreath at a carol singing Bean Bunny. His loyal employee Bob Cratchit and the other bookkeepers request to have Christmas Day off since there will be no business for Scrooge on the day, to which he reluctantly agrees. Scrooge leaves for home while the bookkeepers celebrate Christmas. In his house, Scrooge encounters the ghosts of his late business partners Jacob and Robert Marley, who warn him to repent his wicked ways or he will be condemned in the afterlife like they were, informing him that three spirits will visit him during the night.
At one o'clock, Scrooge is visited by the childlike Ghost of Christmas Past who takes him back in time to his childhood and early adult life, Dickens and Rizzo hitching a ride too. They visit his lonely school days, and then his time as an employee under Fozziwig, who owned a rubber chicken factory. Fozziwig and his mother throw a Christmas party, Scrooge attends and meets a young woman named Belle, whom he falls in love with. However, the Ghost shows Scrooge how Belle left him when he chose money over her. A tearful Scrooge dismisses the Ghost as he returns to the present.
At two o'clock, Scrooge meets the gigantic, merry Ghost of Christmas Present who shows him the joys and wonder of Christmas Day. Scrooge and the Ghost visit Bob's house, learning his family is surprisingly content with their small dinner, Scrooge taking pity on Bob's ill son Tiny Tim. The Ghost of Christmas Present abruptly ages, commenting that Tiny Tim will likely not survive until next Christmas. Scrooge and the Ghost go to a cemetery, where the latter fades away, informing Scrooge that the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come will arrive shortly. A fog fills the cemetery, revealing the third Ghost, who appears as a tall, silent cloaked figure. While Dickens and Rizzo abandon the audience to avoid being frightened, the Ghost takes Scrooge into the future.
Scrooge and the Ghost witness a group of businessmen discussing the death of an unnamed colleague where they would only attend the funeral if lunch is provided. In a den, Scrooge recognizes his charwoman, his laundress, and the local undertaker trading several stolen possessions of the deceased to a fence named Old Joe. The Ghost transports Scrooge to Bob's house, discovering Tiny Tim has died. Scrooge is escorted back to the cemetery, where the Ghost points out his own grave, revealing Scrooge was the man who died. Realizing this, Scrooge decides to change his ways.
Awakening in his bedroom on Christmas Day, Scrooge decides to surprise Bob's family with a turkey dinner, and ventures out with Bean, Dickens, Rizzo, and the charity workers to spread happiness and joy around London. Scrooge goes to the Cratchit house, at first putting on a stern demeanor, but reveals he intends on raising Bob's salary and pay off his mortgage. Dickens narrates how Scrooge became a secondary father to Tiny Tim, who escaped death. Scrooge, the Cratchits, and the neighborhood celebrate Christmas.

Tags: cult, horror, entertaining, romantic

Review:
Paul Williams' music score and songs are eminently singable and leave the viewer with a lasting memory.A Muppet Christmas Carol has joined the pantheon of classic holiday films, easily ranking alongside Holiday Inn, White Christmas and A Christmas Story.
That question pretty much sums up my reaction to "The Muppet Christmas Carol", a hilarious, yet touching film.What did I like about the movie?
Incidentally, the original text had only one Marley -- Jacob, but to get the two comedians from the balcony in the story, Robert Marley was added.Finally, the songs were rather good, with the best one (in my humble opinion) being "When Love is Gone".So, I firmly recommend "The Muppet Christmas Carol" to one and all.Belle Book.
But the Muppet Christmas is a splendid modern version which probably Dickens himself would have liked a lot.Other than Disney movies, the singing does not get on the nerves and the comic relief is actually funny.
Muppet characters we have known for decades like Kermit and especially Gonzo are having great moments.This is the perfect Christmas movie to watch with kids.
I usually hate musicals, but all of the songs in this film are great (and the girl who plays Belle - this girl can SING!)  The comedy is mostly provided by Gonzo, narrating as Charles Dickens, and his sidekick Rizzo the Rat.
The humor is truly funny and appropriately placed (notice how a very good reason is created for Gonzo and Rizzo to exit during the serious Christmas Yet to Come portion .)  This is truly one of those movies "for young and old alike", though it will probably go over the heads of very young children.
In terms of humor or songs, I can't honestly rank this was high as most of the other Muppet films BUT it may be the most touching version of the Dickens classic story I've ever seen on film.The lyrics to the last two songs are fantastic: very Christian-like and very profound.
The answer, of course we now know, is Yes they did.As is the secret to all truly great children's movies, The Muppet Christmas Carol does not pander to notions of anything being 'too scary'; nor does it shy away from the innate darkness of the material at hand.
Upon recently viewing the Patrick Stewart film of this story, I was delighted to find that Cane quite simply out-acted Stewart in the role and clearly this makes his performance something special.The production values are high in this film as is to be expected in a Henson movie, and the film has a wonderful, almost Tim Burton-esquire look which is by turns wintry and quite breath-takingly beautiful or dark and positively scary.
This film is best enjoyed if you already know the Dickens tale inside out so that you can relish the way it has been adapted to fit well-known Muppet characters and also so that you can spend you time watching for the throwaway  comedy in the background.
All the things which have made the Muppets appealing--charm, humor, tenderness--are very much in evidence in this adaption of Charles Dickens' much-retold classic.Michael Caine fills the central role of Ebeneezer Scrooge admirably, throwing himself into the part with much energy and gusto.
Familiar Muppet faces take up several roles--Kermit and Miss Piggy as Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, Robin as Tiny Tim, elderly hecklers Statler and Waldorf as the Marley brothers (Dickens' character Jacob and original creation Robert)--with new Muppets designed for the roles of the three Christmas ghosts.
A The Muppet Christmas Carol is the Muppet's take on the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a selfish old man who cares nothing for anyone but himself, until on Christmas Eve he is visited by three spirits, telling him to change his ways.
Also, the movie manages to remain dark like the story should be, while also staying tame for kids.Micahel Caine is great as Ebenezer Scrooge.
A fine film that will put all you Christmas lovers into a festive,Christmassy mood and even those who aren't so optimistic about the festive season,it will definately lighten your hearts and cheer you up!The traditonal story of Ebenezer Scrooge-who despises Christmas above everything else is closing up for Christmas Eve and goes off home 'humbugging' everyone who wishes him a 'Merry Christmas'.When he's sitting in his home,he's visited by his old fellow workers-Jacob and Robert Marley and they bring him the news that he will be visited by three ghosts that very night when the clock strikes one.Terrified,Ebenezer goes to bed and is visited by the three ghosts-the ghost of Christmas Past who shows him previous experieneces of Christmas in his own past,The ghost of Christmas Present who shows Ebenezer the present Christmas and finally the ghost of Christmas yet to come who shows Ebenezer his future-which isn't very good.Ebenezer is terrified and vows to change his evil,wicked ways and to rejoice Christmas.
And so he does and makes everyone else around him happy.A fine film portrayed brilliantly by Michael Caine and the muppets-Kermit the frog,Miss.Piggy and The Great Gonzo as Charles Dickens narrating the film himself.The best out of them all!.
A great adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale.Funny, fun and entertaining for all ages, yet without losing its profound and essential Christmas message.Having a Muppets version of A Christmas Carol is a masterstroke.
Makes the story and theme more accessible by kids, and keeps adults interested too.I even didn't mind the singing...Great performance by Michael Caine as Scrooge.
Throwaway gags like "Please sir  I want some cheese" and the running commentary of Gonzo and Rizzo give the film that unmistakably Muppety flavor.And not only is the movie good Muppets, it's good *Dickens*, which is perhaps more surprising.
The best of the Muppet movies and the best film version of Dickens' classic tale.
Since I was a child I liked seing different interpretations of this lonely,bitter and traumatised man:Ebenezer Scrooge.For years I have seen many versions of him and taped those I found goodf enough.But this interpretation is my favorite.Michael Caine plays an honorable,honest but cold and indifferent Scrooge.He plays Scrooge realistic.Some versions like 1951's "Scrooge" were pure comedy material.Here Scrooge's phrases sound believable.Including the over-used:"Christmas!Humbug!".His questioning of why should we feel any different during Christmas is one I shared since I was a child and it makes sence.The interpretation of Jacob Marley as a sinister,cynic and sadistic man,adding him a brother Robert Marley,was actualy an original and a good one at it.Scrooge's childhood is taken more seriously here than in most other films.The songs of this movie were fine.I especialy liked the one which explains Scrooge's behavior:being lonely for an entire lifetime of hard work turned him into a man who cares for nobody.He is honest but not merciful.Scrooge's simple way of life is a nice touch too.An interpretation not to be overlooked..
I personally think this is the funniest post Jim Henson Muppet movie, and was my favourite Christmas memory as a kid, and managed to stay true to the spirit of Christmas, and was heartwarming with the character of Tiny Tim. The songs, also, weren't that bad at all, but in comparison to the ones in Treasure Isaland, one or two of them are a little hit-and-miss, but that's just me, and that is my only negative!
You see the main diference with that film is that Michael Caine dosn't play scrooge for Kids (Like tim Curry played Long John Silver in Treasure Island or all other human played in any other muppet movies  but play scrooge like in the book.Mikael Caine after that film you earned my respect,I was twelve when I whent to see this film and while I was watching it I didn't feel once that you were acting the part thinking I was a kid and it wasn't important giving your best to the role.He was great and the film was good mostly because of that,he acted so well around the muppet that you nearly forget that that his costars were mostly muppets.
Not only is this the best muppet movie ever, but it is also one of the best Christmas movies ever.It is a retelling of Dicken's A Christmas Carol with Gonzo as Dickens, Kermit and Miss Piggy as Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cratchit and a well cast Michael Caine as Ebeneezer Scrooge.The sets are well created, the songs are memorable, the film is perfectly timed and should appeal to people of all ages.
The legendary Charles Dickens novel gets the irreverent (but still respectful) treatment from director Brian Henson and the rest of the Muppet performers, as bitter, miserly penny-pincher Ebenezer Scrooge (Sir Michael Caine) is visited by a succession of spirits on an eventful Christmas Eve. Their goal is to show the progression of events in his life that led to his current sour outlook on the world, how it is for the other citizens in whom he has little interest (unless they owe him money), and the possible outcome should he continue on this path.Certainly there have been a number of noteworthy adaptations of this Dickens perennial throughout the decades, especially the 1951 film with Alastair Sim. But this can stand head and shoulders with many of them, mainly because of the appeal of the Muppet characters and their cheerful spin on the material, and the effectiveness of Caines' under-stated performance.
Who would ever have thought, then, that a version staring the Muppets would be the best one ever produced!Basically, this version is narrated (quite comically) by The Great Gonzo and his sidekick Rizzo the Rat. They follow the story of curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) on Christmas Eve night, when he is visited by three spirits that show him the meaning of Christmas.
Central to Scrooge's emotional journey is Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) and family (Miss Piggy), whose simple, hard-working lives prove quite inspirational.The reason why this version of the story works so well is because not only does it provide the humor that one would expect from a Muppet performance, but it also brings the heavy emotional drama as well.
Caine is just such a great acting that he knows all the right beats to hit.Overall, then, "The Muppet Christmas Carol" is a movie that will stand the test of time.
The atmosphere and the original text are really respected and the all embellished with funny songs and a lot of humor.The character of Ebenezer Scrooge is (very good) played by Michael Caine.
The music and songs are largely stellar, with a couple of tunes that seem phoned-in.The puppetering is of course brilliant, with the characters being adorable and, most importantly, believable.You've all seen this movie, I'm sure, but I urge you to revisit it and be amazed as to how a Muppets movie accomplishes so much more than the majority of other movies do.Feel-good movie; you must be a Scrooge to think otherwise..
Thank Heavens for the Muppets who offer us their interpretation of the story which not only provides the necessary slapstick for younger viewers but also enough witty lines and songs for older viewers, all wrapped around the classic 'festive redemption' nugget.In a snowy Victorian London, where humans and Muppets seemingly live side-by-side, our narrative pair of Gonzo (as Dickens himself) and Rizzo the Rat introduce us to Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine).
Caine wisely decides to let the Muppets have their way throughout the film, playing the movie straight down the middle and eschewing the need to play it for laughs.What it lacks in closeness to the source material, "The Muppet Christmas Carol" more than makes up for in cross-generational appeal.
As a lover of sentimental Christmas movies and the Muppets, I have to say that this one of my all time Christmas movie favourites.Gonzo & Rizzo Rat are the perfect pair to narrate this well known Dickens Classic.
This is my favourite muppet movie out of the ones I have seen.The songs and music are brilliant and the muppets are brilliant.This movie is so much fun to watch.I got a copy today as a Christmas present and I'm so glad that I finally own the video.The whole family watched it together and all loved it.This is a film for all ages and I don't see how someone couldn't like this movie,even if they aren't really a big muppet fan.I give this five out of five..
Imagine a world in which muppets and humans exist and live side by side; now imagine that scenario being used to present one of the most beloved stories in literature, and you have `The Muppet Christmas Carol,' directed by Brian Henson and starring Michael Caine as the inimitable Ebenezer Scrooge.
Everyone's favorite muppets are on hand for this one, with Kermit in the role of Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Mrs. Cratchit and The Great Gonzo in the role of Charles Dickens, who also narrates the story, along with the help of Rizzo the Rat.
This movie is great it has the storyline of A Christmas Carol by Dickens with added songs, characters and humour.
The Muppets however do not play their respected selves but characters from the "A Christmas Carol".This film however fails because 1) We already know the story 2) Having Gonzo really steels the film 3) None of the songs workNow the makers of this film do follow the Dickens story but it also adds things that are not needed.
Following on from The Muppet Movie, The Muppets Take Manhattan and The Great Muppet Caper, this is Jim and Brian Henson's puppet version of the famous Charles Dickens story, "A Christmas Carol".
This version of the classic story has all of the muppet humor and shenanigans that you would expect, but it is actually one of the adaptations that is more faithful to the source material than many others that I have seen.Gonzo (as Charles Dickens) quotes quite a bit from the book and although minor changes are made (like Jacob Marley turned into 2 brothers so that Statler and Waldorf could play the characters), it stays true to the feeling of the original.Michael Caine is beyond brilliant, showing us the bitterness of the character, but also the humor, as well as also genuinely making us care for Scrooge and hoping for his redemption.
Don' t be afraid to watch this if you're a Dickens purist - I am, too.Michael Caine is as good a screen Scrooge as there's ever been - he said he tried to act with the Muppets as if he were acting with the RSC and that's how it comes across.Funny, moving, lively, heartwarming and very, very true to the spirit of its source, this is a quite wonderful film.
The Muppet Christmas Carol is a brilliant film and its gotta be one of my favourite Christmas movies,I always watch at some stage over the Christmas holidays,its still the lovely story of A Christmas Carol but with a Muppets theme to it.Scrooge (played by Michael Caine) is a terrible man who treats everyone he knows like garbage,doesn't give his employee the day off for Christmas,doesn't give any money to charity and doesn't visit his family at Christmas,but Christmas eve will change his life forever after getting visited by three ghosts,the ghost of Christmas past,present and future,along with Charles Dickens (the great Gonzo) and Rizzo The Rat following him along the way..
A good Muppet movie, and also a very good version of Charles Dickens' classic story.
As well as being funny, the movie also eventually becomes touching, and not all the scenes are for laughs.This Muppet version of "A Christmas Carol" says at the beginning that it's dedicated to the memory of Henson and Richard Hunt, another puppeteer who worked as a Muppet performer and whose life had also sadly come to a premature end by the time this movie was filmed and released.
Some of the songs in this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' book might be a LITTLE weak (though they're mostly pretty good, even if they're generally not classic), I didn't really care much for the version of the Spirit of Christmas Past here, and there may be other minor flaws, but all the positive aspects of the film make up for this, and make this holiday film an entertaining one for probably all ages..
Taking over the role as Kermit was Steve Whitmire, who I believe did a fantastic job keeping the character alive.As the title suggests, the movie is yet another adaption of Charles Dickens' famous story A Christmas Carol.
Kermit the Frog plays Scrooge's kind hearted assistant, Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy plays his wife and Robin the Frog plays Tiny Tim.Part of what I love about this movie is how well they are able to keep the fun of the Muppets, yet still tell a heart-warming story of A Christmas Carol.
The scene with Robin as Tiny Tim singing "Bless Us All" is also very touching.Not only does this movie stand as one of the best Muppet movies made so far, but Michael Caine in this performance alone plays at least one of the Top 5 best Ebenezer Scrooge's in film history.
This is one of my favourite Christmas movies of all time, and the best adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic I've ever seen.Narrated by a fuzzy blue Charles Dickens, A Muppet Christmas Carol employs song and comedy to communicate to all ages the trials of Ebeneezer Scrooge (brilliantly played by Michael Caine).
THE MUPPET Christmas CAROL, in my opinion, is an absolutely charming version of Charles Dickens' classic tale!
Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say, "Brian Henson and the Muppets have scored huge!" Now, in conclusion, if you are a fan of Michael Caine and you haven't this absolutely charming version of Charles Dickens' classic tale, I highly recommend it..
The Muppets Christmas carol is not only the best muppets film ever made but also a fantastic version of a classic Christmas story.