Robert Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol 2009, starring Jim Carrey, is a dark and magical animated spin on Dickens’ ghostly tale, writes DAVID SAUNDERSON
TITLE: A Christmas Carol
RELEASED: 2009
DIRECTOR: Robert Zemekis
CAST: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Robin Wright, Bob Hoskins, Cary Elwes
Review of A Christmas Carol 2009
Robert Zemeckis’ A Christmas Carol 2009 offers a darkly magical computer-animated spin on Charles Dickens’ timeless ghost story.
With Jim Carrey taking on the role of Scrooge and all three Christmas ghosts, this version is surprisingly faithful to the original while adding some chilling moments that make it stand out from other adaptations.
The film sticks closely to the heart of Dickens’ tale, following the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge as he’s visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
Zemeckis starts things off with a twist: Scrooge stealing coins from the eyes of his dead partner Marley, setting him up as a truly cold-hearted villain. It’s a bold move that doesn’t appear in the book but helps establish Scrooge’s character in an unsettling way.
From there, the film quickly aligns with the original plot, taking us through Scrooge’s eerie, emotional journey.
The animation style, while not perfect, is visually stunning most of the time.
Using motion-capture technology, the film creates some memorable supernatural effects – particularly the appearance of Marley’s ghost, who is accompanied by eerie, floating spirits outside Scrooge’s window.
These moments are genuinely unsettling, and the decision to show other spirits wandering the streets gives the impression that Scrooge isn’t the only one being haunted that night.
These sequences add a real sense of unease, making this one of the spookier Christmas Carol adaptations.
Jim Carrey delivers a standout performance, capturing Scrooge’s transformation with an uncanny vocal resemblance to Alastair Sim’s iconic portrayal.
Carrey’s ability to mimic voices works beautifully here, particularly as he takes on the role of all the ghosts (except Marley).
His Ghost of Christmas Present is especially striking – initially jovial, then menacing as the spirit shows Scrooge the dark fate of Ignorance and Want. It’s still clearly Carrey’s voice in a Yorkshire accent, but he manages to slip into each role with enough flair to keep it fresh.
Gary Oldman, playing both Jacob Marley and Bob Cratchit, also shines. His Marley is grotesque and tormented, with some chilling moments, like when his jaw comes unhinged. While spooky, this is handled with just enough humour to keep things from becoming too grim for younger viewers.
Oldman’s Cratchit, on the other hand, is warm and heartfelt, adding emotional depth to the story.
One of the film’s most striking visual choices is how the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is portrayed primarily as a shadow. This minimalist design works wonders, giving the figure a menacing, almost omnipresent feel. The use of light and shadow throughout the film is exceptional, adding to its supernatural atmosphere.
While the motion-capture animation sometimes falters (the characters’ eyes occasionally look a bit off), the overall look of the film is impressive, especially when it comes to the magical effects.
Fire, light, and spectral images are beautifully rendered, and the film’s depiction of Victorian London feels immersive.
You might question why this story needed to be animated at all, but the technology does allow for some truly spellbinding moments that wouldn’t have worked as well in live action.
Alan Silvestri’s musical score also deserves praise. His sweeping, orchestral soundtrack adds to the film’s sense of wonder and melancholy, complementing the darker scenes and uplifting moments perfectly. It gives the whole movie a magical, warm Christmas feel, which not all adaptations manage to capture.
Though A Christmas Carol has been adapted countless times, this version proves it can still be done right. Zemeckis’ use of animation and Carrey’s dynamic performance bring a fresh energy to the classic tale. And while it has its scary moments, it still retains the story’s core message of redemption and hope.
It’s a bit darker than other versions, but that’s what makes it stand out.
Disney now owns at least three versions of A Christmas Carol, including Mickey’s Christmas Carol and The Muppet Christmas Carol.
While the Muppets’ version might be the most beloved, Zemeckis’ take holds its own with a combination of heart, style, and some truly eerie ghost sequences.
This adaptation might not be for very young children, but for older viewers looking for a ghostly, magical take on the tale, it’s definitely worth watching.
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