Scrooge: A Christmas Carol review – Netflix’s junky musical is a lump of coal

A still from Scrooge: A Christmas CarolLast modified on Mon 28 Nov 2022 07.39 GMTclassic that nobody will leave well enough alone. If only the latest iteration, Scrooge, were content to revisit a magical old favorite. Instead Netflix’s psychedelic musical drains and dilutes, trading the original’s wit and heart for belted-out ballads, flame balls and what appear to be fire-eyed and gravity-defying trolls.

A rule of thumb in musical theater is that characters should sing only when speaking will not convey their emotion. In this case, though, song is used to dazzle and distract. The kids weren’t buying it, and neither will you. Nor will you be terribly impressed with the production values, which languish in a no-man’s land on the visual spectrum between old school claymation and acceptably modern. The figures lack dimension in all respects.

Dickens’s novella, originally published in 1843, was storytelling at its most taut and rigorous, a work brimming with humor and humanity. Here was a time travel story with an underlying idea. It wasn’t too late for cranky capitalist Ebenezer Scrooge to revisit pivotal moments of his past and reengineer his destiny. This retelling manages to unravel a tightly plotted and emotionally resonant ghost story and lose the logic and poignancy.

If the underlying message is to be decent before it’s too late, then be nice to yourself and queue up the berserk and brilliant Muppets Christmas Carol, why don’t you? You only live once.

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

‘Not nearly enough for demand’: Wild weather wipes out Christmas treesThe extreme weather that has thrashed the east coast of Australia this year has caused root rot in Christmas trees, wiping out thousands ahead of Christmas.
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

Beer prices to soar before ChristmasThe price of beer is set to soar ahead of Christmas after repeated floods throughout the year in Australia's prime cropping regions. 9News ooft Jane couldn't be more out of touch with Australians, she didn't even care about our win against Tunisia, she doesn't understand why people care about sports? I don't know why you have people like this on air, Seriously. 9 needs a serious shake up behind the scenes. Floods driven by climate change push up the price of beer. We need strong climate policies now!!! auspol insiders
Source: 9NewsAUS - 🏆 10. / 72 Read more »

Beer prices to soar before ChristmasThe price of beer is set to soar ahead of Christmas after repeated floods throughout the year in Australia's prime cropping regions. 9News Send a ship to Ukraine. They probably have some barley they would love to sell right now.
Source: 9NewsSyd - 🏆 23. / 51 Read more »

Morrison should give the country and his colleagues a Christmas present by resigningThe sneaky ministerial appointments – combined with Morrison’s pig-headed response – will define his prime ministership. Why should he? AlboMP must resign he is the blame giver and no solutions experts. He should resign. He should be kicked out and embarrassed. Resigning is giving him too much respect and dignity. But we know he won’t…money for nothing
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

These retail stocks should be in your Christmas stockingWhen it comes to navigating cyclical or structural challenges, retailers are the masters of adaptation.
Source: FinancialReview - 🏆 2. / 90 Read more »

Elizabeth Banks and Sigourney Weaver star in film based on true story of 60s pro-choice activistsDenied a legal abortion, Elizabeth Banks' character joins an activist group in the new film from Carol screenwriter Phyllis Nagy, which highlights the ongoing precarity of reproductive healthcare. Sounds thrilling. Atocrasa! Hollywood is the PR arm of the Democrats. The only surprise is how long it took after the Supreme Court decision.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »