The Muppet Christmas Carol
Director: Bryan Henson
Cast: Michael Caine, David Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson
“The Muppet Christmas Carol” is a unique and heartwarming interpretation of Charles Dicken’s classic story, told through the eyes of some very special characters. When Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve, he embarks on a journey that liberates him from the painful shadows of his long-forgotten past and teaches him the true meaning of Christmas.
One of the characters that stands out the most in “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is Ebenezer Scrooge. While he portrays himself as a cold and selfish tyrant, in truth, Scrooge’s frigid and withdrawn demeanor is a mask that Scrooge has created to hide the pain and loneliness of his past. As he relives the memories of his past and witnesses the reality of his present life, one can sense that there is a deep and lonely sadness in him rather than cruelty. The irony of Scrooge’s journey is that his frozen heart is softened not only by the Spirits of Christmas, but by his compassion for a child. When Scrooge witnesses his own mortality and the tragic fate of Tiny Tim, the youngest son of his bookkeeper, Bob Cratchit, the ice around Scrooge’s heart melts and he allows himself to feel and express love again.
There is an intimate connection between Scrooge and the three Spirits who accompany him on his journey. When he encounters the Spirit of Christmas Past, the spirit is a spectral child. This spirit illustrates not only Scrooge’s past, but his own fragility. He is like a child; not yet ready to accept or even believe what the Spirits are telling him. Scrooge’s encounter with the Spirit of Christmas Present illustrates the beginning of Scrooge’s transformation and his redemption. As he witnesses moments of his present life with the Spirit, he slowly allows himself to feel the joy that has so long eluded him. As he watches the Cratchit family eating their humble Christmas dinner, his heart softens for Tiny Tim when he realizes that the child whose heart offers so much love in spite of having so little is soon going to die. Scrooge’s encounter with Christmas Yet to Come illustrates the completion of Scrooge’s transformation. His frigid heart has been humbled by his journey, and he has allowed himself to wholeheartedly embrace Christmas as it truly is.
“The Muppet Christmas Carol” is perfection. While Ebenezer Scrooge plays a significant part in the film, the Muppets are very much at the heart of the movie as well. Gonzo and Rizzo add comic relief to balance the heavier emotional storyline, and Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and especially Tiny Tim (played by Kermit’s nephew Robin) bring a heartfelt and sincerely emotional essence to the film that brings new life to a timeless, classic story.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Bryan Henson
Cast: Michael Caine, David Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Frank Oz, Jerry Nelson
“The Muppet Christmas Carol” is a unique and heartwarming interpretation of Charles Dicken’s classic story, told through the eyes of some very special characters. When Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) is visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve, he embarks on a journey that liberates him from the painful shadows of his long-forgotten past and teaches him the true meaning of Christmas.
One of the characters that stands out the most in “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is Ebenezer Scrooge. While he portrays himself as a cold and selfish tyrant, in truth, Scrooge’s frigid and withdrawn demeanor is a mask that Scrooge has created to hide the pain and loneliness of his past. As he relives the memories of his past and witnesses the reality of his present life, one can sense that there is a deep and lonely sadness in him rather than cruelty. The irony of Scrooge’s journey is that his frozen heart is softened not only by the Spirits of Christmas, but by his compassion for a child. When Scrooge witnesses his own mortality and the tragic fate of Tiny Tim, the youngest son of his bookkeeper, Bob Cratchit, the ice around Scrooge’s heart melts and he allows himself to feel and express love again.
There is an intimate connection between Scrooge and the three Spirits who accompany him on his journey. When he encounters the Spirit of Christmas Past, the spirit is a spectral child. This spirit illustrates not only Scrooge’s past, but his own fragility. He is like a child; not yet ready to accept or even believe what the Spirits are telling him. Scrooge’s encounter with the Spirit of Christmas Present illustrates the beginning of Scrooge’s transformation and his redemption. As he witnesses moments of his present life with the Spirit, he slowly allows himself to feel the joy that has so long eluded him. As he watches the Cratchit family eating their humble Christmas dinner, his heart softens for Tiny Tim when he realizes that the child whose heart offers so much love in spite of having so little is soon going to die. Scrooge’s encounter with Christmas Yet to Come illustrates the completion of Scrooge’s transformation. His frigid heart has been humbled by his journey, and he has allowed himself to wholeheartedly embrace Christmas as it truly is.
“The Muppet Christmas Carol” is perfection. While Ebenezer Scrooge plays a significant part in the film, the Muppets are very much at the heart of the movie as well. Gonzo and Rizzo add comic relief to balance the heavier emotional storyline, and Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and especially Tiny Tim (played by Kermit’s nephew Robin) bring a heartfelt and sincerely emotional essence to the film that brings new life to a timeless, classic story.
© 2013 – 2016 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.