The trees are alight and spirits are bright, Christmas must be just around the bend. For embittered Ebenezer Scrooge this holy day is nothing more than a "poor excuse to pick a man's pocket every December the twenty-fifth". In 1992's The Muppet Christmas Carol, however, Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas with the help of three spirits and a little Muppet magic. This year join the Muppets in a family adventure that will leave you keeping the spirit of Christmas all year long.
With the ominous declaration that "the Marleys were dead to begin with..." the film launches into the beloved tale with Gonzo and Rizzo as our guides. Miserly money lender Ebenezer Scrooge manages his lending firm with ruthless efficiency as he faces another Christmas alone. When night falls he is met with the ghosts of his amoral former business partners who have been sentenced to an eternity of suffering as punishment for their sins on earth. The ghosts warn him of the fate that awaits him should he fail to learn from their mistakes and inform him that he will be visited by three spirits, the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future before dawn. With the arrival of the sprightly ghost of Christmas past Scrooge is launched on a redemptive journey into the depths of his own soul that serves to remind us all of the true meaning of Christmas.
The film accomplishes the daunting task of breathing fresh life and new meaning into the yuletide staple. Rather than parodying the original, the film offers an homage to Dickens the likes of which only the Muppets could provide. Through its blend of the flair that made the Muppets famous and the somber tone of the source material the film delivers a unique take on the Christmas classic. Through its exploration of such weighty topics as poverty, regret, mortality, cruelty, trauma, and alienation The Muppet Christmas Carol is easily the darkest film in the Muppets canon. Rather than shying away from its darker content, however, the film remains largely faithful to Dickens while using music and gentle humor to convey its serious subjects in a way that children can process. As a result, the film sets itself apart from both the Muppets earlier, zanier, works and other adaptations of A Christmas Carol. For viewing that is sure to leave viewers of all ages with a 'grateful heart' spend your Christmas with the Muppets in The Muppet Christmas Carol.
The film transports viewers to its whimsical version of Victorian London thanks to the endearing work of its cast. Steven Mackintosh embodies roguish charm as Scrooge's cheery nephew, Fred. Meredith Braun is lovely in her equal parts vulnerable and resilient portrayal of Scrooge's former fiancée, Belle. Michael Caine turns in one of the most memorable depictions of Scrooge in modern cinema as he expertly captures Scrooge's redemptive journey with full gravitas, all while acting alongside a cast of puppets. The vocal performances and puppeteering combine to bring the Muppets signature charm to the screen. Steve Whitmire earns particular note for his work as Kermit in the wake of the death of Jim Henson.
At once a faithful adaptation of the classic tale and a whimsical adventure the likes of which only the Muppets can provide The Muppet Christmas Carol has become a Christmas classic in its own right. Through its by turns heartfelt and humorous script the film offers a family friendly introduction to Dickens that is certain to entertain viewers of all ages. Through the expert blending of the Muppets' larger than life personas with excellent live action performances the film brings the beloved tale to life with all of the charm, warmth, and good cheer of a Christmas morning. This Christmas curl up with Kermit and the gang in The Muppet Christmas Carol.
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