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A Few Words About A few words about...™ A Christmas Carol -- in Blu-ray 3D (1 Viewer)

Robert Harris

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I did not see Disney's film of Charles Dickens' 1843 holiday offering in a theater.


Having now viewed it on Blu-ray, I find it merely a stupendous achievement.


Mr. Zemeckis has learned a thing or three about film in his 30+ years in the business, and it all shows in A Christmas Carol.


This is a film that had me once we got past the generic Disney leather bound tome, and moved to a view through a window.


Not just any window, mind you. But a slightly weatherworn and dirty window, through which we watch carriages and people moving past in the background - in perfectly rendered 3D.


From there on, until it ended some 96 minutes later, the film had me firmly in its grasp -- enthralled by the artistry, the technology and the entertainment value.


Not to mince words, this A Christmas Carol is magnificent entertainment, that just happens to use 3D technology correctly at each and every turn.


There are two possibilities for ordering this film on Blu-ray. Using Amazon's pricing, one can either purchase a two-disc Blu-ray com at $24 or a four-disc combo at $28, which add the film in both Blu-ray as well as Blu-ray 3-D to your collection.


Having seen this film in Blu-ray 3D, to me there is no choice.


Go 3D.


From a strictly technological perspective, this is the first 3D film released on Blu-ray that could send me over the edge and cause me to buy in to the technology.


What I'm realizing after viewing this, is that I'm going to need a 3D projector.


These are interesting times. And this is a film that must be a part of everyone's library.


Highly Recommended.


RAH
 

Robert, this review is EXACTLY how I feel about the film. Thanks for putting my thoughts into words!
 

bgart13

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How is the storytelling compared to other versions of Dickens' story, lilke the Sim version? I'm more interested in that aspect. I know you said it had you in its grasp for the entire feature, but was that more due to the technological aspects or the movie itself?
 

Ben, it's the most faithful film adaptation I have ever seen. I have every film version that is available and this is my new favorite. Of course, Sim is the definitive Scrooge, but this version is destined to become a classic. It is a very serious, very faithful adaptation. I love it!
 

Adam_S

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It is far and away the most faithful adaptation I've ever seen of Dickens' text. Just a stunning film, not flawless, but one of the very best films of 2009, I can't wait to watch it again.

It's funny, i saw this in IMAX and it was the trailer for Avatar attached to Christmas Carol that convinced me the film was going to be an unbelievable smash (my thought at the time was that it would be a 300-400 grosser) rather than the embarassing flop I had rather whole heartedly believed it would be before that trailer. :-p


Christmas Carol was also the first film since Monster House and Nightmare before Christmas where I really enjoyed the 3D and thought it was done with incredible artistry and excellence, Avatar is the only other film I've liked 3D with.
 

Rob W

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Originally Posted by Eric Scott Richard

Ben, it's the most faithful film adaptation I have ever seen. I have every film version that is available and this is my new favorite. Of course, Sim is the definitive Scrooge, but this version is destined to become a classic. It is a very serious, very faithful adaptation. I love it!


My copy of the book seems to be missing the scene where Scrooge gets an icicle in the nuts.
 

I said it's the most faithful. I didn't say exact. Even the Sims version created things. My gosh. I guess you have something looked over by a lawyer around here before you post something.
 

Johnny Angell

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Originally Posted by Rob W


I need to watch this again, because I wasn't wowed by it that much in the theater. There was a scene in the movie (the one you're referring to) where it seemed like the movie makers decided, "this is 3D, we gotta go big here. Original plot be damned." I do remember thinking that Carey was very good at voicing an old man.
 

Adam_S

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Yes, focus on the minutia, the one or two moments in the film that REEK of producers requiring 'something for the kiddies' to be added to the film, and ignore that it's the only version of the text that has understood just how dark the original Dickens is. It includes the allegorical twins for pete's sake! the diction is the same as the original, not updated for modern audiences. and it doesn't suck any of the pro-christian* elements out of the story (look at the lengthy first scene between Scrooge and his nephew, word for word from the original text!)


[SIZE= 8px]*though not, thank goodness, the sort of pro chritian we get in modern times: the slimy evangelical faux christianism we see from too many who try to use their religion as an allegiance, badge and weapon. [/SIZE]

Originally Posted by Rob W





My copy of the book seems to be missing the scene where Scrooge gets an icicle in the nuts.
 

Ronald Epstein

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Well....


You certainly changed my mind.


I remember this film getting rather lukewarm reviews

upon its release.

Even though I just set up a 3D display in my home

this was not a title I was considering purchasing.


However, Mr. Harris has a way of twisting one's arm

with a review like this. I am on my way over to Amazon

to preorder it.
 

Rob W

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Looks like I should have added a smiley to my comment since it came off as more hostile than intended. My apologies. However , that moment was part of an entire sequence that completely took me out of the film.
 

Adam_S

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I clicked on the review of the christmas carol that was on the mainpage above all the subscribed threads but it wouldn't let me reply to that one, so I'll reply here.



Quote other HTF review:
[FONT= 'times new roman']and some rather unfunny comic touches (Marley’s jaw cracking off in mid-sentence and thus having to be held in place with his scarf),[/FONT]
Marley's jaw cracks off in the original text, as is Scrooge's line, "I'd rather not" (the latter surprised me more, actually, since it was used in the trailers so frequently I thought it was an original bit)


like all of dickens, the text is available in the public domain and merely a google search away.

Quote A Christmas Carol:
'Well.' returned Scrooge, 'I have but to swallow this, and be for the rest of my days persecuted by a legion of goblins, all of my own creation. Humbug, I tell you. humbug!'

At this the spirit raised a frightful cry, and shook its chain with such a dismal and appalling noise, that Scrooge held on tight to his chair, to save himself from falling in a swoon. But how much greater was his horror, when the phantom taking off the bandage round its head, as if it were too warm to wear in-doors, its lower jaw dropped down upon its breast.


...


'You will be haunted,' resumed the Ghost, 'by Three Spirits.'

Scrooge's countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost's had done.

'Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?' he demanded, in a faltering voice.

'It is.'

'I-I think I'd rather not,' said Scrooge.

'Without their visits,' said the Ghost, 'you cannot hope to shun the path I tread. Expect the first to-morrow, when the bell tolls One.'

'Couldn't I take them all at once, and have it over, Jacob?' hinted Scrooge.

'Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third upon the next night when the last stroke of Twelve has ceased to vibrate. Look to see me no more; and look that, for your own sake, you remember what has passed between us!'

When it had said these words, the spectre took its wrapper from the table, and bound it round its head, as before. Scrooge knew this, by the smart sound its teeth made, when the jaws were brought together by the bandage.


the Ghost of Christmas Past in this film is the only film that is remotely like what Dickens describes, in appearance and in voice.
 

Aaron Silverman

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I had absolutely zero interest in this, but the idea that it's the most faithful adaptation of the original story now has me intrigued.
 

Robert Harris

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Just received this from Disney. It helps to sweeten the deal.


http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/promotions/special-offers/carol-coupon?cmp=dmov_dmr_lptw_blg_carol-coupon
 

Johnny Angell

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Originally Posted by Robert Harris

Just received this from Disney. It helps to sweeten the deal.


http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/promotions/special-offers/carol-coupon?cmp=dmov_dmr_lptw_blg_carol-coupon

I'm wondering what the B&M stores are going to charge? Coupons can't be used on Amazon.
 

dpippel

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After gagging on the bland creepiness of Zemeckis' "The Polar Express" and the seemingly by-the-numbers trailers for this film, I passed on it in a big way. It held zero interest for me. Less than zero. A recommendation from RAH, however, has swayed me to at least give it a rent.
 

JohnS

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I too preordered this in 3D bluray from all this postive comments.

And for the fact that I want more 3D bluray material owned.
 

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