CGI Jim Carrey in A Christmas Carol

One of the most loved Christmas stories ever written is arguably Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. A quick IMDB search produces 26 versions of the story told on film, theater or TV. A Christmas Carol has been in told in a variety of way by a variety of characters. Mickey Mouse, Kermit the Frog, Mister Magoo, The Flintstones and even Bill Murray have all taken a crack at it and most if not all have succeeded in faithfully reproducing the story.

Disney is trying to repeat the success they have had with the Charles Dickens classic and they have enlisted the help of Robert Zemeckis to write and direct their attempt. Jim Carrey will play multiple roles in A Christmas Carol as Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past/Present/Yet to Come. He co-stars along with Bob Hoskins, Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and Robin Penn Wright.

Disney’s newest retelling will be a motion-capture, CGI animated 3D IMAX adventure, much like Tom Hanks’ Polar Express which was also directed by Robert Zemeckis. Zemeckis has yet to disappoint with his offerings with titles like Cast Away, Forrest Gump, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and the Back to the Future trilogy.

Carrey is a good choice for a movie like this because his fantastic facial expressions and bigger-than-life acting gives the animators lots with which to work. He should really help the characters “pop” and bring life to Scrooge and the ghosts. The other actors and actresses are no slouches when it comes to their craft but let’s be honest; this version of A Christmas Carol is all about watching Carrey.

Watch a clip from the movie to see what I am talking about.

Every movie of this type Carrey does is focused and centered on him; How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events are two good examples of type of work he can do.

And check out this featurette of Zemeckis and Carrey talking about the film:

I thoroughly enjoyed Polar Express' story and style. My kids still watch it even when it isn’t Christmas so I have no doubts that audiences will very much enjoy Disney's latest version of A Christmas Carol.

Am I wrong or do you plan on seeing A Christmas Carol as well?

A Christmas Carol opens in theaters on November 6, 2009.

Source: Latino Review