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Yesterday, I rewatched “The Polar Express“, Robert Zemeckis’ first venture into 3D animated films using motion-capture technology. It had been two decades since I last saw it, and I happened to come across the Blu-ray at a thrift shop for just €0.95. Coincidentally, a few months earlier, I’d found “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” in a similar way. As another 3D animated, motion-capture Christmas film by Zemeckis, it felt like a fitting companion piece to revisit alongside “The Polar Express“.
The plot of “A Christmas Carol” is familiar to just about everyone, as Charles Dickens’ classic tale has been adapted for the screen countless times—my favorite being “The Muppet Christmas Carol.” For the few who might not know it, here’s a quick rundown: Ebenezer Scrooge, a greedy and cold-hearted moneylender, is visited by three Christmas spirits on Christmas Eve. Through their guidance, he embarks on a transformative journey toward redemption, learning to leave his miserly ways behind.
With so many adaptations already in existence, a new version of “A Christmas Carol” needs a fresh and unique take to stand out. “The Muppet Christmas Carol”, for example, adds charm by turning the story into a musical with puppets, featuring Michael Caine as Scrooge. Robert Zemeckis’ interpretation offers a different twist: a 3D animated film where Jim Carrey not only voices but also performs the motion capture for Ebenezer Scrooge and the three Christmas spirits.
Being a 3D animated film, this version of “A Christmas Carol” takes full advantage of the medium to make Scrooge’s encounters with the three ghosts far more fantastical than most older live-action adaptations. This is undoubtedly one of the strengths of Zemeckis’ take on the story. Scrooge soars through the air and the streets of London, one ghost towers over him at the size of a house, and another is entirely composed of fire—just a few of the striking elements that stand out and are executed more vividly here than in other versions.
One of the main criticisms of “The Polar Express” was its characters’ lifeless, “dead eyes,” an aspect tied to the uncanny valley. While not entirely resolved, “A Christmas Carol” shows a significant improvement in animation quality despite being made only five years later. The level of detail is impressive, with realistic textures and skin that avoids the overly glossy look of earlier efforts. That said, there are still moments where the uncanny valley creeps in—most notably with the carolers Scrooge encounters on the street, who sometimes appear to stare blankly into the void. However, it’s clear that the creators put considerable time and effort into making these characters feel alive, and for the most part, it pays off.
If you’ve never seen an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” this version is a solid place to start. It’s a well-made and faithful retelling of the classic story. That said, I’ll always recommend “The Muppet Christmas Carol” as the top choice, but this is a strong runner-up. The main drawback, however, is the sheer number of existing adaptations. The story is so familiar to most that it lacks the element of surprise, and because this version sticks closely to the original material, it doesn’t offer many unexpected twists.
