Name: Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
Genre: Animation, Family, Fantasy
Released: 2022-11-18T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Luke Evans, Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Johnny Flynn, Fra Fee

The first image of Stephen Donnelly’s Scrooge: A Christmas Carol lingers on Ebenezer Scrooge (Luke Evans) hunched over his desk, a lone candle flickering in the darkness as he counts coins with a scowl. The frame is tight, claustrophobic—just like the man himself—and it sets the tone for this animated retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. But while Donnelly’s direction captures the miserly spirit of Scrooge, the film struggles to escape the long shadow cast by its predecessors.

Produced by Timeless Films and released on Netflix in 2022, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is an animated remake of the 1970 musical Scrooge, which itself was based on Dickens’ 1843 novella. Donnelly’s version assembles a star-studded voice cast, including Evans as Scrooge, Olivia Colman as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Jessie Buckley as Isabel Fezziwig, Johnny Flynn as Bob Cratchit, and Trevor Dion Nicholas as the Ghost of Christmas Present. The film was dedicated to Leslie Bricusse, the late screenwriter and composer behind the 1970 adaptation, who passed away a year before its release.

At its best, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol delivers on the emotional core of Dickens’ story—a redemption arc built on themes of greed, generosity, and forgiveness. The animation team crafts a visually striking Victorian London, where fog-choked streets give way to lavish interiors like Mr. Fezziwig’s (James Cosmo) bustling party or the Cratchits’ modest but warm home. The Ghost of Christmas Past, voiced by Colman, is particularly well-designed, her wax-like appearance shifting subtly as she guides Scrooge through his painful memories.

The film’s musical numbers lean heavily on Bricusse’s compositions from the 1970 version, and while some work better than others, Buckley’s rendition of “Isabel” stands out. Her voice carries a haunting beauty, conveying both sorrow and longing as she sings of lost love. However, the inclusion of “Thank You Very Much,” a memorable but anachronistic tune from the 1970 film, feels misplaced in this adaptation. Its modern sensibilities clash with the otherwise period-appropriate score.

The voice cast is one of the film’s strongest assets. Evans delivers a Scrooge who oscillates convincingly between miserly bitterness and fragile vulnerability. Colman’s Ghost of Christmas Past exudes an otherworldly melancholy, while Nicholas’ Ghost of Christmas Present radiates infectious joy. Flynn brings warmth to Bob Cratchit, though his character is sidelined in favor of the more dramatic arcs of Scrooge and his ghosts.

Where the film falters is in its pacing and tonal inconsistencies. The narrative rushes through key emotional beats, particularly in the Ghost of Christmas Past sequence, which could have benefited from more introspection. The humor, often derived from Scrooge’s curmudgeonly reactions, lands unevenly—some jokes feel too modern for Dickens’ Victorian setting.

The film’s dedication to Bricusse adds a layer of emotional weight, but Scrooge: A Christmas Carol ultimately plays it too safe. It doesn’t take enough risks to distinguish itself from the countless other adaptations of Dickens’ story. The themes of generosity and forgiveness are well-trodden ground, and while the film executes them competently, it lacks the fresh perspective needed to stand out.

The target audience for Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is clearly families and fans of the original novella or the 1970 musical. The animation is vibrant enough to engage younger viewers, while the voice cast and faithful adaptation of Dickens’ story will appeal to older audiences. However, those looking for a groundbreaking retelling may be disappointed.

The film’s exploration of its central themes feels somewhat surface-level. Scrooge’s transformation from miser to benefactor is handled with care, but the emotional depth of his journey is occasionally undercut by the film’s rushed pacing. The Ghost of Christmas Present’s sequence, while visually engaging, skims over the Cratchit family’s struggles, reducing their hardships to brief glimpses rather than fully realized moments.

The animation itself is a highlight, blending traditional and digital techniques to create a world that feels both timeless and fresh. The contrast between Scrooge’s gloomy counting house and the vibrant, warm scenes of Christmas celebrations is striking. However, some of the background characters lack distinctiveness, making it difficult to differentiate between them in crowded scenes.

The film’s score, while largely faithful to Bricusse’s original compositions, sometimes feels out of place. The modern sensibilities of “Thank You Very Much” clash with the otherwise period-appropriate soundtrack. This anachronism is a missed opportunity to fully immerse the audience in the Victorian setting.

Comparisons to other adaptations are inevitable, and Scrooge: A Christmas Carol holds its own in terms of visuals and voice acting but struggles to match the narrative depth of some of its predecessors. The 1970 film, for instance, delved deeper into Scrooge’s psychological state, while the 2009 version starring Jim Carrey used groundbreaking animation techniques to explore the character’s inner turmoil.

In the end, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is a serviceable but unremarkable addition to the long line of adaptations of Dickens’ classic tale. It captures the essence of the story with solid performances and vibrant animation but lacks the originality or emotional depth to stand out. For fans of the source material or those looking for a family-friendly holiday watch, it offers a competent retelling.