Barnes & Noble

Charles Dickens's original story did not feature a narrating rat, dancing penguins, or a tadpole on crutches as Tiny Tim. Leave it to the Muppets to correct these grievous oversights. Brian Henson joyfully carries on his father's legacy with this surprisingly faithful adaptation of Dickens's timeless holiday tale of miserly Scrooge (a game Michael Caine), who learns to stop with the "bah, humbug" and love Christmas after all. There is just the right touch of Muppet irreverence. For intstance, when Scrooge threatens to fire his put-upon staff of rat accountants for complaining about the cold, they respond with a rousing version of "Island in the Sun." The mostly Muppet cast includes Kermit as Bob Cratchit, with Miss Piggy as his wife (their brood comprises girl pigs and boy frogs). Hecklers Statler and Waldorf steal the show with a song-and-dance extravaganza as the ghosts of the gleefully greedy Marley brothers, Jacob and (get this, reggae fans) Robert. There are also roles for Fozzie Bear, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, and Sam the Eagle. The story's gloomier aspects are lightened up a bit for young audiences, but as Gonzo self-importantly observes, "This is culture." Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide

Brian Henson, the son of Muppet founder Jim Henson, took over directing duties after the untimely death of his father for The Muppet Christmas Carol, a sluggish re-telling of the Charles Dickens tale. Michael Caine, surrounded by legions of fuzzy, felt puppets, plays it straight as the crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge, an old miser who could care less about Christmas and the joy the season brings. Working for the skinflint is his faithful employee Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog), who begs Scrooge for a day off for Christmas. Scrooge reluctantly agrees and goes home on Christmas Eve filled with bile at the holiday merrymakers. But then he is visited by the sprits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and Scrooge, after revisiting his sorrowful past, hate-filled present, and doomed future, turns over a new leaf and becomes the most generous and celebratory person in town. Paul Brenner

Product Details

• UPC: 786936286991
• Source: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: Français, English
• Time: 1:26:00
• Sales Rank: 57

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