A Christmas Carol: The Musical

While this is not the most faithful of adaptions by a long shot, nor is it a version I intend to return to, this version isn't without its merits. The bumpy start include some very weak lyrics and less than stellar songs, but the movie finally gets its legs under itself when Marley arrives.

Returning back to it being a less than completely faithful adaption, that doesn't mean there aren't some interesting choices made in this movie--Kelsey Grammar tries to reach out to his past in various heart wrenching scenes which have fallen flat in other versions and show that this Scrooge has a heart that you can cheer for and wish for him to complete his turn around by the ending. This continues on with the other ghosts, although the Future segment is presented in a very stripped down (as in it's all in one set instead of bouncing around various locations) fashion that might leave some wanting more.

Again, not the most faithful or the best version of this tale, but fun for a completionist who wants to compare various adaptions or for someone who just found the movie while flipping channels or picking through a streaming menu. Also, I appreciate the interesting costume for the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, who isn't just a shadowy, skeletal figure in a shroud, which makes her stand out from other versions.

Although, I do have one strange gripe--some of the at night scenes are shot in broad daylight with no attempt to hide the light coming in through the windows. And yet, there are other scenes that are at least shot on dark sound stages. There HAD to be better ways to at least disguise the day-for-night shots.

I read some of the comments regarding this version of A Christmas Carol and someone wrote about the bad "English accents." I found it ironic because four members of the ensemble are British musicals stars in their own right. They are Linzi Hateley, Claire Moore, Ruthie Henshall and Dave Willets. While Kelsy Grammar is great as a performer I wasn't sure about his take on Scrooge. His moodiness was like that of Frasier Crane. He was upstaged by all of the Christmas ghosts particularly Jesse L Martin. Jane Krakowski sexiness as the Ghost of Christmas past seems a little out of place. On the whole it is a good production and well sung. I did like this version and wouldn't mind watching it again even if the non English actor's have bad "English accents."

I couldn't get enough of this! Catchy tunes and and fast pacing kept it going right to the end. Can't wait to add this to my collection as another great version of A Christmas Carol.

I've noticed some complaints about the adding of characters and slight plots changes. Well, I WELCOMED these. It makes the story fresh and interesting, I mean come on! We all love this story but have seen it/heard it/read it exactly the same many many times.

Be sure to catch Jason Alexander's song, as well as the one at Fezziwig's. They hightlight a strong musical score. I'm hoping for a soundtrack. Honorable mention to Jennifer Love Hewitt, I wasn't sure what to expect having only hearing her sing pop. But she holds her own here and shows versatility with her voice.

A Christmas Carol is a great, simple, musical. Large chorus numbers filled with choreography and soft ballads. It is a welcomed break from the attention deficit Moulin Rouge and scene-stealer infested Chicago.

I can honestly say that this was the worst show of any kind I have ever seen. Wooden performances, horrible sickly sweet songs, a script that mangles Dickens. I believe this movie actually scarred me mentally.

The reviewers who say this was 'lackluster', 'disappointing', or 'good but flawed' must have been sipping too much egg nog. This thing - I balk at calling it any word that might make people think it was made for purposes of entertainment - was absolutely terrible. I dread to think of what could possibly cause people to actually like this piece of refuse.

The only reason I kept watching was because it was so incredibly bad. It had the horrible fascination of a slow motion train wreck.

Well, from everyones reaction, I expected to HATE this movie, but I was pleasantly surprised! I really think people expected too much. This is a TV movie, not a Broadway musical! For a TV movie, it does it's job VERY well. As a Theatre lover, I really enjoyed everyone in the cast. Jesse L. Martin was wonderful, as was Kelsey Grammar. It was Jennifer Love Hewitt who REALLY surprised me though. What a lovely voice!! She really is a terrific actress. She's only in two scenes, and she steals both of them. Her song "A Place Called Home" with the Young Ebeneezer is a genuinely touching moment. Most of the score is VERY hummable, and i've always enjoyed Meknens music. I really don't get all the hatred this movie has gotten. Sure it has it's problems, but we can't always expect perfection, especially from a made-for-TV movie. I will Definitely buy the DVD when it comes out!!