Overview: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment debuts its first Blu-ray™ 3D release with Academy Award®- winning director Robert Zemeckis’ (Best Director, Forrest Gump in 1994) unique interpretation of Charles Dickens’ beloved tale, A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carrey (Yes Man, Horton Hears a Who, Bruce Almighty) as multiple characters including the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Yet to Come.

Blu-ray+DVD Verdict: When it comes to animation, it doesn't get any better than the master himself; Robert Zemeckis. He changed the face of animation forever with his classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Years later he dazzled all of us with The Polar Express and his legendary adaptation of Beowulf. Now, he's done it once more with his latest masterpiece from 'Walt Disney: A Christmas Carol.'

I don't know of any story that's been retold more than this one, and rightfully so. It's been around for nearly 200 years, and I'm sure Zemeckis's version won't be the last to be seen.

I'll take the liberty of assuming that everyone is familiar with the plot, and just highlight the key points: Ebenezer Scrooge absolutely despises Christmas and everything to do with it. He has a massive fortune but not so much as a single friend, and treats everyone like rubbish. Seven years after the death of his partner Jacob Marley, he will be visited by the ghost of Marley as well as three other specters (the ghosts of the past, present and future) on the night of Christmas Eve. The ghosts will show him visions of his past, present and future and the life he has lived and will live, if he does not change his twisted ways.

You get what you'd expect from the plot, yes, and you've seen it a hundred times in other forms, yes; but you have never seen it quite like this. Despite being a huge Robert Zemeckis fan and maybe even a bigger fan of Jim Carrey, I too had these same thoughts going in. But as I was, you too will be amazed.

The animation is nothing short of incredible. Several times in the film, I thought I was looking at real people and actual sets, for a few seconds. It's truly impressive. This will no-doubt be a must-own on Blu-ray! The colors are vibrant, the picture is crystal clear and the sound quality is truly spectacular.

You can see Jim Carrey and Colin Firth and Gary Oldman, hidden in the characters they voice, and it's awesome! I'm sure that the actors physically acted out these scenes at some point during the process in addition to the voice-over-work, as their physical movements are all very life-like.

Jim Carrey plays Ebenezer Scrooge exceptionally well and we have never seen the character more hideous and vial. He is terrifyingly thin and oddly hunched over and looks like he's ready to croak any second. His voice is raspy and dry and it makes your skin crawl.

If you are expecting to laugh during the film, DON'T. The laughs are scarce as this is a very heavy drama indeed. In addition to the drama, it's very dark as well, so you may want to re-think taking smaller children. The spirits are scary and there are several moments where things jump out at you and make loud unsettling noises.

What makes this so different from other versions of the classic Dickens tale, aside from the obvious beautiful look the film offers, are the moments where Scrooge is visited by the ghosts.

Robert Zemeckis wrote the script in addition to directing the film, so it is very much his spin on things. The three entities are all different from what we have seen in versions of the past and they offer a nice touch to the story, cinematically. They don't crowd the scenes they're in. They take Scrooge where he needs to go, and offer him minimal guidance and that is good for the kids; they will be able to learn the valuable lessons of this story, from seeing what's happening with the characters, versus the ghosts telling us and Scrooge the implications his actions have and will cause.

We also go on spectacular thrill-ride adventures with Scrooge as he is hurled through the streets of London, and shot into the sky like a rocket.

Zemeckis and his team of animators have created a gorgeous London for this story to unfold in. I think that's one of the best elements to animation; you can create interesting and majestic worlds for your characters to live in, without limitations to reality and visual believability.

There are a ton of animated movies that youngsters will love watching, but parents would rather have heart surgery than sit through. There are also several animated films parents don't want their kids to see due to its content and subject matter. 'Disney's A Christmas Carol' is something parents will find comfort in their children watching, and they will undoubtedly enjoy themselves as well. [CW] This is a Widescreen Presentation (2.35:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

Mr. Scrooge’s Wild Ride - In this 3D bonus feature, director Zemeckis and the cast explain how 3D made the Dickens novella come to life. The feature explores how 3D technology brought a whole new dimension to the story, from the Ghost of Christmas Past whisking Scrooge through time, to the look and feel of the characters in 19th Century London.
Behind The Carol: The Full Motion Capture Experience – A feature length picture-in-picture viewing mode takes the audience behind the scenes of motion capture filmmaking.
Countdown to Christmas Interactive Calendar – 25 days of holiday surprises extend the holiday cheer, as viewers come back to discover what each door holds.
Deleted Scenes – Six deleted scenes on the Blu-ray Disc.
Capturing A Christmas Carol – Actress Jacquie Barnbrook hosts a journey through the creative process of Disney’s A Christmas Carol.
On Set With Sammi – Follow Sammi Hanratty, one of the film’s young stars, as she shares a kid’s eye view of an “anything but average” day on the set.
Deleted Scenes – Three deleted scenes on the DVD.

www.DisneyDVD.com

DON'T BE A SCROOGE!

Gift-Giving Guidance
Gift a page turning gift! “Re-gift your favorite book. While you should avoid being a Scrooge and re-gifting things you don’t want—what makes you think anyone else wants them—when it comes to a treasured book you loved reading, that’s anti-Scrooge and approved. Add a bookmark or self-sticking notes throughout the book with little messages of what a novel friend or family member they are.”