The Jim Henson Company, Jim Henson Productions, Walt Disney Pictures
Michael Caine, Dave Goetz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Donald Austen, Jessica Fox, Robert Tygner, Steve Mackintosh, Meredith Braun, Robin Weaver, Raymond Coulthard, Russell martin, Theo Sanders
Charles Dickens (The Great Gonzo, aka. Dave Goetz) narrates and hosts us to view the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) who is a miserly old fellow who abuses his lone employee Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog, aka. Steve Witmire). The ghost of his former partners, the Marley Brothers (Statler and Waldorf, aka. Jerry Nelson and Dave Goelz) who warn him of what will happen if he doesn’t change his ways. Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future who touch his heart to help him realize the wrongs he has done.
This is such a wonderful version of A Christmas Carol. This one is part life performance and part puppetry of Jim Henson’s Muppets. This is typical in Muppet performances where the line between real and unreal is often blurred beyond recognition. Additionally the often break the 4th wall with the audience and talk directly to the audience. This causes some of the funniest moments in the film. The choice of the old hecklers Statler and Waldorf to play the Marley Brothers is brilliant. Most of the Muppets appear in one role or another throughout the film. They treat the story with great respect, and it is very close to the original story during all the fun and chaos. Some of the songs in this movie have stayed with me through all these years, and I love to hear them every Christmas when I pull out the old VHS and watch this one once again. The patter between Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit (Kermit and Miss Piggy) and the kids is great, and who could play Fezziwig better than Fozzie Bear? This is just about a perfect retelling of the story and one of my very favorites.
EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog
** The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992),
