There's no heart, and I don't put it simply on the visuals that almost look real at times. Amazing 3D is the only thing this dark version does really well.

Rate this Movie ![]()
- Showtimes & Tickets
- Write a Review
- Read Reviews
- Add to List
- Get this Movie
- Buy Poster

- Visit Official Site

Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:164
Fresh:91
Rotten:73
Average Rating:5.9/10
Consensus: Robert Zemeckis' 3-D animated take on the Dickens classic tries hard, but its dazzling special effects distract from an array of fine performances from Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for scary sequences and images
Genre: Childrens
Theatrical Release:Nov 6, 2009 Wide
Box Office: $79,836,002
Synopsis: Director Robert Zemeckis (THE POLAR EXPRESS) continues to work his holiday magic with A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This 3-D adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic will use the motion capture technology... Director Robert Zemeckis (THE POLAR EXPRESS) continues to work his holiday magic with A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This 3-D adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic will use the motion capture technology previously seen in the filmmaker's BEOWULF. [More]
Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins
Starring: Jim Carrey, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Bob Hoskins, Robin Wright Penn, Cary Elwes, Fionnula Flanagan
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Screenwriter: Robert Zemeckis
Producer: Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Get This Movie
Reviews for Disney's A Christmas Carol
...there isn't much to fall in love with in Robert Zemeckis's visually overpowering motion-capture-animation...
takes full advantage of the technologies available, but fails to illuminate or otherwise expand Dickens' story in any meaningful ways
If you're remaking a classic merely to one-up whoever remade it previously, is it really worth the effort? Fortunately, Jim Carrey decided not to waste a wasted opportunity.
Watching the humans in this live action/animation combo is like watching 'Zombies On Parade'
The 3D isn't enough to justify yet another version of this familiar tale; the film seems more opportunistic than necessary.
This film is dark and scary enough that it just might scare some in the audience straight.
It is done with skill and imagination, and overseen by a director, Robert Zemeckis, who knows the value of occasionally quietening things down for a bit of tension or a precisely timed joke.
What's curious about the movie is that you can tart it up all you want, but Dickens' words still resonate, his characters still infuriate, frighten and touch, and there's still satisfaction to be had in his tale.
It's a film so determined to make you notice it, that it comes across like an obnoxious child screaming, 'Look at me!'
... the heart of the story is there, and Zemeckis honors and respects it.
Leaving aside the technology behind Robert Zemeckis' animated A Christmas Carol, this is the most satisfying version of Charles Dickens' oft-told tale in years.
The real nightmare before Christmas - way too scary for the kiddies and not nearly warm enough for audiences of all ages.
The motion capture animation is top-notch and it's hard not to be impressed with what Robert Zemeckis has wrought, even if there's the occasional sense he's pandering to an audience that can't get through a 90 minute story without a few yuks and a chase.
The biggest surprise... is that it isn't absolutely dreadful. Perfectly pointless, maybe, but not dreadful.
The 3-D motion-capture version runs through the motions, except for one detail: It's visually beautiful.
'My next project is to motion capture some hair and comb it over my 3D scalp,' said Zemeckis.
Robert Zemeckis seeks to answer the one question still remaining about the Dickens classic: What would the story look like if it were cast with figures from Madame Tussauds?
Latest News for Disney's A Christmas Carol
November 17, 2009:
Disney's Christmas Wishes Coming True ![]()
Robert Zemeckis' "A Christmas Carol" has divided critics, but Disney was hoping for a holiday movie with long theatrical legs -- and so far, the studio couldn't be happier. More...
November 08, 2009:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Christmas Carol Tops, Precious Rocks
This weekend Moviegoers powered Jim Carrey's holiday kidpic A Christmas Carol to a number one opening but some fans remained stingy preventing the Disney 3D toon from meeting... More...
November 05, 2009:
Critics Consensus: A Christmas Carol Dazzles But Disappoints
This week at the movies, we've got some modern-day Dickens (Disney's A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman); a button-pushing thriller (The Box, starring... More...
November 04, 2009:
Ho-ho-horror! 10 Scary Christmas Movies
This week's eerie mo-cap rendering of the ghostly, dark Dickens morality tale 'A Christmas Carol' from director Robert Zemeckis is far from being the only yuletide movie where... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie | Date |
|---|---|---|
| | Film Ist: A Girl & A Gun | 12/2 |
| | Before Tomorrow | 12/2 |
| 67% 67% | Everybody's Fine | 12/4 |
| 60% 60% | Brothers | 12/4 |
| | Armored | 12/4 |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Disney's A Christmas Carol at Rotten Tomatoes
- Disney's A Christmas Carol at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!


Top Critic



