SpecialsTarget Disturbing yet enthralling

Maidexpl Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

Senteur As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

Ortiz Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

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 ed 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.

lisafordeay The Muppets Christmas Carol is based on the story of A Christmas Carol where Scrooge(this time played by Micheal Caine)is visited by 3 ghosts one from the past,one from the present and one from the future,as Scrooge isn't very nice to anyone during the Christmas season so he gets to see stuff that may happen to him if he stays the way he is. So will Scrooge become a better man in the end of the movie?Overall I thought the puppeteers were great,the story was nice and the cast was great. I thought Micheal Caine was good as Scrooge as he was unrecognisable in this movie. If you haven't seen this film yet then do watch it before the Christmas period is over. Its definitely one to watch this Christmas.Also all the muppets are in this movie including Kermit,Miss Piggy and co.

Prismark10 The Muppet Christmas Carol is a surprisingly straight adaptation of Dicken's festive story with added Muppets and songs.Michael Caine plays it straight as Ebeneezer Scrooge. He is not going to let an appearance in a kids film to stop him being mean to the poor and destitute and shout bah, humbug to Christmas.The story is faithful to Dicken's text as we get narration of his words from the Great Gonzo and Rizzo the Rat.In Victorian London, the miser and moneylender Scrooge on the night of Christmas Eve warned by the ghosts of late business partners, Jacob and Robert Marley that he must change his ways or carry the eternal chains forever of what he has sowed in his present life on earth.Scrooge is visited by the spirits of the Christmas Past, Present, and Future who show him the errors of his way. Bob Cratchit and his wife are played by Kermit and Miss Piggy with their touching story of Tiny Tim.There are several songs in the film but not so memorable and because of the nature of the story many of the normal Muppets are sidelined because Scrooge is the central character.The film underwhelmed at the box office when the film was released but over time it has become more appreciated by families in the festive period as heartwarming with the underlying Muppet humour. This was also the first Muppet film made after the death of creator Jim Henson.

Geeky Randy This retelling of Charles Dickens' novella starring your favorite muppets in ing roles has become a Christmas classic in its own right. Michael Caine is perfect as Scrooge, and his chemistry with the muppets in tow are an amazing match. The movie is legitimately funny, spooky or touching all at the right moments—it's one of those rare films that hits the right note every single second. There doesn't seem to be any pattern with the intermixing of humans and muppets, but regardless, it works just fine without any distractions. Perhaps the strongest point of all is the musical numbers composed by Miles Goodman and written by Paul Williams.**** (out of four)