Believe it or not, “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is perhaps the best Christmas movie ever made. It achieves all the goals that every Christmas movie aims at: it entertains, it relates to us on a human level and it truly puts the viewer in the Christmas spirit. I intend to prove each one of those points.
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I don't care what
anyone says – the Muppets are not
only for children! There is so much for adults to enjoy with this
crazy bunch, and “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is quality
entertainment for everyone, be you nine or 90.
Charles
Dickens' classic novel was an interesting choice for a Muppet movie.
After all, there have been several iterations put on film throughout
the years. Though it is a classic tale, one of importance, hasn't it
perhaps been overdone? You might think so, but the truth is that
Brian Henson and the Muppets breathe new life into this old tale
using their unique style. For one thing, very few humans inhabit this
version of the story. For another thing, the Muppet version perfectly
blends humor with the more serious, dramatic bits.
Michael
Caine gives my favorite portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge ever put on
screen. One of the reasons I love his performance so much is because
he took it so seriously. Caine had said
to director Brian Henson, “I’m going to play this movie like I’m
working with the Royal Shakespeare Company. I will never wink, I will
never do anything Muppety. I am going to play Scrooge as if it is an
utterly dramatic role and there are no puppets around me.” That is
one of the things that really makes this film stand out – though it
has comedic elements, the story itself is done seriously. It isn't
overly-silly as some might expect from a Muppet movie, though the
comedy is superb as well.
It was a real stroke of inspiration
for the film-makers to put Gonzo the Great in the role of Charles
Dickens narrating throughout the movie. He is accompanied by Rizzo
the Rat, and the pair are the comedic stars of the film. Kermit the
Frog plays Scrooge's loyal book-keeper Bob Cratchit and is the one
trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive (but more on that in a
little bit).
Although initially the film-makers wanted to use
other established Muppets as the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present
and Yet to Come, they ultimately decided to create new characters to
fit these roles. This was a good move because it added something
special and more real to the situation Scrooge was in with each of
the spirits.
And just as you'd expect in a Muppet movie, the
music doesn't disappoint. Paul Williams really outdid himself with
songs like “One More Sleep 'Til Christmas” and “When Love Is
Gone.” All the songs are memorable and tug on our heartstrings.
Pulling at the Heartstrings
“The Muppet Christmas
Carol” works because at its core is a tale of morality that all
people can relate to. It is more than another Muppet movie – it is
an honest-to-goodness dramatic experience.
As I said earlier,
Michael Caine is absolutely superb as Scrooge. As the movie begins
and we are introduced to his character, you really feel a strong
dislike toward the man. He plays greed and selfishness well, and
though we dislike him we can relate to him. We can't help but wonder
'what made this man this way?' As we take the journey with him to his
past, we get a glimpse of the promise he once had. We see him fall in
love and we root for that love to blossom. Our hearts then break as
we see his love of money overpower his love for other people. When
Belle, Scrooge's fiance, sings “When Love Is Gone” it's like an
arrow pierces my heart.
When the Ghost of Christmas Present
arrives and shows Scrooge everyone around him enjoying Christmas like
he never has, you really see him change as a hunger for love and
human fellowship grows in his eyes. You start to feel more for this
man. It really gets to you when he starts to see how he has been
mistreating his employees, in particular Bob Cratchit. When sick Tiny
Tim is seen for the first time, the pain can be seen in Scrooge's
eyes has this revelation hits him.
And then when the Ghost of
Christmas Yet to Come arrives, we can't help but share that intense
fear Scrooge endures when he realizes what the consequences of his
life choices could possibly be. Luckily, things do change for the
better.
Putting Us in the Christmas Spirit
Just when
Scrooge is at his lowest, he experiences a change. His penitent heart
is full to overflowing, and he vows not to waste anymore of his life
on being a cold-hearted miser. He happily greets those he had
mistreated, and goes so far as to bestow a magnificent feast and a
pay raise to Cratchit. The ending of the film gushes forth with
unconditional brotherly love that sends tingles down my spine every
single time I watch the movie. And where we were saddened by “When
Love Is Gone,” we get the finale “The Love We've Found.” It may
be cheesy and unrealistic to some, but it gives me hope and puts me
in the Christmas spirit.
Everything that this movie is comes
together seamlessly to give us one of the greatest Christmas classics
of the ages.
