Review: A Christmas Carol Dark 'n' Faithful—Despite All the Jim Carrey 3-D

Director Robert Zemekis and Jim Carrey (in all the major roles) deliver a surprisingly faithful adaptation of the Dickens classic—despite all the 3-D, computer-animated gimmickry

Review in a Hurry: No "humbugs" here. Disney animates Charles Dickens' timeless tale of a Christmas-hating miser without, well, Disney-fying it. Devoted Dickens fans will even appreciate the darkness and social commentary—if not all the Jim Carrey.

The Bigger Picture: After the bloated, indulgent How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Carrey's decision to play another crank, Ebenezer Scrooge, was cause for concern. God help us, every one, if he and director Robert Zemeckis were to screw up Carol. Happily, despite all the ornamentation in this 3-D adaptation, the pic remains mostly faithful to the novel, while only occasionally devolving into spectacle.

Along with Scrooge, Carrey portrays the three Christmas spirits—Past, Present, and Future—who show the stingy meanie the error of his ways. As a result, his heart grows three sizes that day. Wait...wrong grinch...but right message.

Your enjoyment of Carol might be colored by the digital animation style. The performance-capture technology, much improved since The Polar Express, allows for a greater range of character expression, especially in the eyes. But the skin—more so in supporting characters—still has an eerie waxiness, and Scrooge's chin looks prosthetic. But details in fabrics and facial hair are exquisite, as are expansive views of the city.

With his fluid directorial style, Zemeckis keeps the action flowing gracefully and makes good use of 3-D through depth in compositions, without getting in-your-face cheesy. But he can't resist the occasional gratuitous action sequence, as when Scrooge inexplicably shrinks to bug size and is chased by horses from the Dead.

Carrey shows welcome restraint and range as Scrooge, avoiding a stereotypically broad and jokey interpretation. He gets solid vocal backup from Gary Oldman as beleaguered underling Bob Cratchit and the terrifying Ghost of Jacob Marley, Colin Firth as ebullient nephew Fred, and Robin Wright Penn as Scrooge's true love, Belle.

The 180—a Second Opinion: Sure, Tiny Tim has a bit of a limp, but the kid appears so hale and hearty it's hard to believe he's in danger of dying. Supermodels look sicklier.