Blucher One of the worst movies I've ever seen

Lumsdal Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

ClassyWas Excellent, smart action film.

Lancoor A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action

blumdeluxe "The Muppet Christmas Carol" is another adaption of a classic novel by the Muppet show, displaying the famous play by Charles Dickens this time. It tells the story of an old man who is greedy and hated by almost everyone around him. When three ghosts appear and show him the reality of past, present and future, he soon begins to rethink his believes.The producers did create a cute and heart-warming movie here. While it is not utterly creative to start another adaption of the Dickens novel and nobody would've really missed it, it still includes a lot of intelligent humor that makes the time fly by and enough fluffy puppets to get the audience emotionally involved. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the singing parts, but on the other hand those belong to all of the older Disney movies as well and therefor will add a touch of nostalgia for all the Disney fans out there.All in all this is great for people with children or fans of the Muppets. For anyone else it still has its entertainment value but it won't have the same impact.

HotToastyRag In my house, we watch The Muppet Christmas Carol every Christmas Eve. When Kermit the Frog sings the song "One More Sleep 'Til Christmas", we cuddle together and sing along, knowing that Santa's on his way and the next day is the most special day of the entire year. My parents told me that when this movie was released in the theaters, it didn't do well, but I can't seem to believe it. How can one of the most adorable versions of A Christmas Carol, one that remains one of our all-time favorites—and we've seen every version known to man—not be treasured by everyone in the world? Paul Williams wrote the memorable and lovely songs in the film, and when Miles Goodman's music flows during the opening credits, it instantly puts the audience in the mood for Christmas. The cast is announced, and as Kermit the Frog is listed as Bob Cratchit, Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, and other well-known Muppets and human actors are credited, the best is saved for last. Michael Caine gets the "and" in the credits; he plays Ebenezer Scrooge. He's truly heartwarming in the film, playing the iconic role as a sensitive man. While other versions of the story portray Scrooge as unwaveringly mean until the memorable ending, Jerry Juhl's fantastic script shows Scrooge affected by the early scenes.The Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat speak to the camera in the opening scene, introducing themselves and the story. They're the continuous narrators of the film, and the running commentary is absolutely hilarious. Too many of the lines from Juhl's screenplay have become household phrases in my family for me to list, but there is one part that is worth mentioning. When the Ghost of Christmas Future appears, there is the usual ominous setting. Gonzo and Rizzo remark how spooky it is and tell the little kids in the audience that they're going to leave and come back when it's not scary anymore, which is not only a considerate warning but is kind to the kids who choose to hide their eyes so they don't feel embarrassed. When the Muppets reappear, they say, "We're back! We promised we would be!" Every time I used to come home and greet my kitty, I said that phrase.There's really too much perfection in this movie to keep my review short, but I'll try to keep it relatively brief. The sets and costumes are beautiful and look very authentic. The smaller roles—Steven Mackintosh as Nephew Fred, Meredith Braun as Belle, and the incredibly cast Raymond Coulthard as Young Scrooge—are lovely and put just as much of their hearts in their performances as the main leads do. And the songs, which I've already praised, somehow make the listeners' hearts lighter and spirits brighter. In "It Feels Like Christmas", the production number started by the Ghost of Christmas Present and continued by the ensemble, Michael Caine actually dances along as his Christmas spirit is rekindled. The back-and-forth rocking is forever known in my house as "doing the Michael Caine" and it's a dance move we love to imitate. Speaking of the Ghost of Christmas Present—have you noticed that sometimes this jolly spirit isn't always nice in other film versions? In The Muppet Christmas Carol, he's incredibly sweet and caring.If it's at all possible you haven't seen this version, buy a copy. I guarantee it'll become a staple in your household during the Christmas season. Whether you watch it the first night you put up the tree or wait until there's only one more sleep 'til Christmas, it'll be one of your favorite parts of the most wonderful time of the year.

Scarecrow-88 This time we got our very own Muppet version of the Dickens' classic about the ole skinflint, his miserable view of the Christmas season, and how he gets a good talking to by three ghosts that visit him during the night/early morn before Christmas Day. Michael Caine makes Ebenezer Scrooge his own, hitting all the right notes from how he begins as a grouchy, ill moneylender gradually eroded of his negativity when facing his past as a child neglected, gaining affection upon meeting his former fiancé at his old employer, seeing how he is viewed by his nephew, nephew's friends and family and Cratchet's family, and facing the potential of his own demise. As far as the Muppets go, all the favorites are here and accounted for: Gonzo as the "narrator, Charles Dickens" with Rizzo, the rat, as his companion, Kermit as Bob Cratchet, Miss Piggy as Kermit's wife, Statler and Waldorf as "the Marleys", Dr. Bunsen and Beaker as street charity merchants, Fozzy as Fezziewig (named Fozziwig for the adaptation), with the likes of Animal, Swedish chef, and Rolf appearing in bit parts as Scrooge journeys from one time of his life to another. The lavish production design of the city and some excellent camera-work following different walks throughout London as Scrooge makes his way to his place of business to his home (and then the ghosts carrying him from one era of his life to another) are definite highlights, while the heavily criticized Williams' songs weren't that bad to me I didn't exactly consider them the success of the film. Caine does have his own led song at the end when he is converted from the crippling rot of seasonal angst to joyfully celebratory charitable delight…he does show that transition from beginning to end as only a seasoned pro could. It is fun to see Kermit as Cratchet although the Tiny Tim part of the story that typically guarantees Niagara Falls for some reason just seems lacking this go-around. Piggy reacting to Scrooge on Christmas Day while he's trying to tell Kermit about his raise is one of my favorite scenes, although I thought Gonzo and Rizzo steal every moment they're on screen, (which are far more than I had anticipated) and are one of the main reasons to seek this out during the Holiday season. Another highlight: a younger Statler and Waldorf mocking Fozziewig from an upper floor balcony at his company party during the trip to Christmas Present. Caine wisely doesn't camp it up with the Muppets as Scrooge, deciding to play the character straight. A London filled with Muppets in a Dickens Christmas Carol, especially at the beginning and end with Scrooge first grim and glum then later blissful and bright makes the world a better place. I recommend this adaptation for early December viewing, as kind of a starter for the more serious and dramatic versions later in the month. Gonzo and Rizzo following along with us during Scrooge's trips keeps the tone light and slapstick alive; they certainly add some fun to the proceedings.

Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) "The Muppet Christmas Carol" is Brian Henson's take (Jim was already dead in 1992) on the famous Dickens novel from 23 years ago. It runs for slightly over 80 minutes and has some good parts, some not so good. First of all, Michael Caine is a brilliant actor and he shows it here as well. I would almost say he is too good for the part. Really strong performance that carries the film from start to finish. The Muppets I am usually not the biggest fan of and here they worked well sometimes and sometimes not so much. But as this one is especially for younger audiences, they are absolutely needed for the comic relief away from the dramatic, sometimes creepy story. I also enjoyed the music in here. In terms of emotional impact, this was only partly a success. Probably the loud and boastful Miss Piggy will take heart and feeling out of almost everything. And a little Kermit as Tiny Tim (one of the emotional highlights of the tale usually) is not working particularly well either. I enjoyed this one the most when it's humans only that we see, although I also liked for example the part when one of the gang climbs over an incredibly high fence with all his effort and shows us right afterward that he can easily get in right through the fence. As a whole, a decent watch at the holidays and if you like the Muppets in general, unlike me, you will probably appreciate this one even more than I did. Recommended.