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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Lions Gate
Salesrank: 2737
Released: October 18, 2005 |
| Our Price: $6.02 |
| Used Price: $6.04 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier") brings Ebenezer Scrooge to life in this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale. During a Christmas Eve dream that evolves into nightmarish proportions, embittered and miserly Scrooge is visited by three Christmas ghosts: Past Present and Future, who show him the life he has lived and the future consequences of that life.
Description of A Christmas Carol: The Musical:
A musical setting for Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is a natural, and this holiday TV-movie (based on the Broadway version) generously crams music into its quick spin through the venerable story. Kelsey Grammer uses his musical pipes (and some of his "master thespian" style of acting) as Ebenezer Scrooge, the man whose miserliness needs no introduction here. There's some experienced musical-comedy talent in the cast, from small roles to large, with expert stuff from Jesse L. Martin (who was in Rent, the Broadway musical, before he joined the Law & Order team) as the ghost of Christmas Present and Jane Krakowski as the ghost of Christmas Past. Jason Alexander, another TV person with a background in stage musicals, does deftly as the chain-rattling Jacob Marley's ghost (and his number is one of the most tuneful of the mixed bag of songs). Alan Menken, the veteran tunesmith of Beauty and the Beast fame, contributes the music, with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime); the bigger numbers are spirited but a little rote. (The Styne-Merrill songs from a wackier version of the story, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, are a more memorable bunch.) This version moves so quickly across the main points of the story that Scrooge's redemption feels a tad rushed, but maybe the songs are supposed to be the point. Still, the razzle-berry dressing is missed. --Robert Horton
A Christmas Carol: The Musical Reviews:
Meh 
2009-11-24 - All I can say, is they tried. Christmas Carol isn't my favorite storyline, too dark and creepy with ghosts and misers, and funerals and consequences of lost opportunities and while the message is good, the reason for the change never feels genuine. It is because he is faced with the `threat' of a `hellish future' which forces a change of heart. I'd much rather Scrooge change on his own, without having every mistake pointed out. But I guess then we wouldn't have a story then.
The musical numbers were weak and `sing songy.' Andrew Lloyd Webber this aint. You basically get several tunes recycled throughout the film and to varying degrees of annoying-ness. My favorite characters were Bob Crachit and his son tiny Tim, and the ghost of Christmas Present. Christmas future was way over the top, rather short, and too dark for my tastes and possibly a bit scary for the wee ones.
The ending where Scrooge, delivers the turkey was cute, but it left me wondering how Mrs. Crachit was going to cook that monster. LOL. And was a bit too brief. Scrooge needed to do more for the Crachett's than that.
Overall this was a fair film, but nothing I'd really recommend, unless you decide you needed the musical score to torture terrorist suspects at guantanamo bay. Then, by all means, pick this title up.
Just terrible 
2009-11-14 - This was one of the worst things I have ever seen in my entire life. I love A Christmas Carol, Alastair Sim and George C. Scott did the work justice. I also love the new life that Scrooge gave the work, Albert Finney gave a top notch performance! This musical version came across like nails on the blackboard, I hope to never have to watch this again.
There-is-good-in-everyone-even-a-miser-like-Scrooge 
2009-11-13 - New Christmas music by Alan Menken to associate with Charles
Dickens story of
the joys of Christmas past, make it part of your
Christmas present, and enjoy in your
Christmas futures.....peace, goodwill, toward all mankind
....and God bless us....God bless everyone....may a
heart happy with the love of God find you this Christmas
and have enjoy a properous new year....
Musical 'Scrooge' Much Better!
2009-11-13 - If this was the ONLY musical version of 'A Christmas Carol' I'd seen, I probably would have given it an 'ok' rating, but having seen the musical film "Scrooge" with Albert Finney, it is just SO much better than this made-for-tv movie, with better actors, better sets, costumes, etc. Most importantly the music and lyrics in 'Scrooge' are so much better!
A Christmas Carol: The Musical
2009-03-03 - Charles Dickens Christmas Carol still remains timeless even after many versions has been told. This Musical do delivers a wonderful storybook version of this classic. I was very taken by the music and lyrics of the songs and special effects. Lots of songs are very memorial in this movies, lots of dancing and great acting. Kelsey Grammer was great as Scrooge and Jennifer Love Hewitt singing was terrific. I recomand this DVD for people who truly love musicals and belive a person can change,to become a better person by looking into their own heart and soul.
