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Movies / In Theaters / Disney's A Christmas Carol
Disney's A Christmas Carol

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Disney's A Christmas Carol (2009)

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Reviews Counted:169

Fresh:93

Rotten:76

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: $135,888,543

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

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Reviews for Disney's A Christmas Carol

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato
2.5/5

Karina Montgomery

What's good is very good and what's bad is sadly bad. I wish I could cut a montage of the sobering and well-thought-out segue from Present to Future, the swooping flights through London and Scrooge's amazing face.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 15 2009 10:46 AM

Cinerina

splat

Fernando F. Croce

The razzle-dazzle is just about seamless, but warmth is sacrificed along the way

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 08 2009 07:52 PM

Slant Magazine

splat
5/10

Devin Faraci

There's a certain irony in having a timeless tale about a man finding his soul being told in the most soulless way possible

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 07 2009 10:58 PM

CHUD

tomato
A-

Bruce Bennett

Its' lavish details bridge the gap between the real and the imagined in a way heretofore impossible.. the filmmakers have put most of their magic in the media and not the message.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 02 2009 12:42 PM

Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

splat
2/4

David Nusair

Robert Zemeckis' infatuation with the motion-capture animation process has officially gone too far...

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Nov., 30 2009 02:44 AM

Reel Film Reviews

tomato
6/10

Jeff Bayer

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 26 2009 10:12 AM

The Scorecard Review

splat
C

Cole Smithey

...there isn't much to fall in love with in Robert Zemeckis's visually overpowering motion-capture-animation...

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 24 2009 10:05 PM

ColeSmithey.com

splat
2.5/4

James Kendrick

takes full advantage of the technologies available, but fails to illuminate or otherwise expand Dickens' story in any meaningful ways

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 23 2009 06:58 AM

Q Network Film Desk

tomato
2.5/4.0

Kevin A. Ranson

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 18 2009 07:18 AM

MovieCrypt.com

splat
5/10

Jackie K. Cooper

Watching the humans in this live action/animation combo is like watching 'Zombies On Parade'

Full Review Source: | comment 2 Comments | Nov., 17 2009 02:40 PM

jackiekcooper.com

splat
2.5/4

John Beifuss

The 3D isn't enough to justify yet another version of this familiar tale; the film seems more opportunistic than necessary.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Nov., 13 2009 02:29 PM

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

tomato
B

Robert Roten

This film is dark and scary enough that it just might scare some in the audience straight.

Full Review Source: | comment 2 Comments | Nov., 13 2009 11:16 AM

Laramie Movie Scope

tomato
4/5

Edward Porter

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.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Nov., 13 2009 09:27 AM

Sunday Times (UK)

tomato

Philip French

Faithfully rendered and extremely frightening.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 13 2009 09:16 AM

Observer [UK]

tomato
B

Christopher Smith

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.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 12 2009 06:50 PM

Bangor Daily News (Maine)

tomato
3/5

Pablo Villaca

Jamais deixa de impressionar.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 12 2009 02:58 PM

Cinema em Cena

splat
2.5/5

Ken Hanke

It's a film so determined to make you notice it, that it comes across like an obnoxious child screaming, 'Look at me!'

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 12 2009 06:42 AM

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

tomato
4/5

Jim Lane

... the heart of the story is there, and Zemeckis honors and respects it.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Nov., 12 2009 03:15 AM

Sacramento News & Review

tomato
3/4

Jeffrey Westhoff

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.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Nov., 11 2009 11:42 AM

Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

splat

Richard Knight

The real nightmare before Christmas - way too scary for the kiddies and not nearly warm enough for audiences of all ages.

Full Review Source: | comment 15 Comments | Nov., 10 2009 07:31 PM

Windy City Times

 
 
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Latest News for Disney's A Christmas Carol

November 17, 2009: Disney's Christmas Wishes Coming True Opens in new window
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...

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