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Since its 1843 publication, Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol has been done to death in countless films and television specials, to the extent that another rote movie adaptation seems superfluous without a unique spin. Enter 1992's The Muppet Christmas Carol, which adapts the well-known 19th-century novella in a unique and quirky style featuring Jim Henson's iconic Muppet characters. But instead of merely mocking or parodying the source material, director Brian Henson and screenwriter Jerry Juhl (The Muppet Show's head writer) work to create a sincere, faithful retelling with songs, laughs, heart, charm and plenty of Muppets, making for arguably the best adaptation of the story to date. The Muppet Christmas Carol was the first theatrical appearance of the Muppets since the death of their creator and key creative force, Jim Henson, in 1990. It was also the first big-screen appearance of these lovable creatures since 1984's mediocre Muppets Take Manhattan, an eight-year gap. Nevertheless, none of this negatively affects The Muppet Christmas Carol, as the resulting picture is tremendously assured, well-made, and agreeably paced.
Everyone knows the story of A Christmas Carol by now (and if you don't, shame on you), but here's a summary: in 19th-century London, miserable old curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) lives his life without a thought towards kindness, and hates the jolly generosity that the Christmas season represents. Scrooge's selfishness and lack of compassion literally haunt him on the evening of Christmas Eve, when the ghostly apparitions of his late business partners, Robert and Jacob Marley (portrayed by the inimitable balcony hecklers Statler and Waldorf), visit him. The pair warn Scrooge about the errors of his wicked ways and reveal what awaits him in the afterlife if he does not repent. Throughout the night, Scrooge receives visits from three further ghosts who take him on a journey through Christmases past, present, and yet to come, hoping to convince Scrooge to change his cantankerous ways.
The likes of Kermit the Frog (Steve Whitmire), Miss Piggy (Frank Oz), Fozzie Bear (also Frank Oz), the Swedish Chef (David Rudman) and many other Muppets show up throughout The Muppet Christmas Carol to portray various characters from Dickens's story. The Muppets roam free here to provide fun humour, lighten up the proceedings (without cheapening the story), and inject their personalities into their roles, allowing this version to stand out from the hundreds of other Christmas Carol adaptations. The inclusion of Muppets renders the tale and its messages digestible to children who will likely receive their introduction to A Christmas Carol via this film. Also on the sidelines during the proceedings is the narrator, Charles Dickens - played by Gonzo (Dave Goelz) - and his friend, Rizzo the Rat (Steve Whitmire). The two beloved characters narrate the story, injecting commentary, discussions and comedic relief. However, the film does not overuse the device, as the characters artfully step aside at key points in the narrative, most notably for the grim scenes involving the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. Consequently, the film gets dark at times, reinforcing that this is a genuine retelling of the story instead of a silly parody.
In addition to its healthy sense of humour, The Muppet Christmas Carol is a musical containing several delightful song and dance numbers. With Paul Williams writing the songs (after working on 1979's The Muppet Movie and earning an Academy Award nomination for The Rainbow Connection), several tunes here are true keepers, and the soundtrack is frequently played during the festive season in this reviewer's household. One More Sleep 'til Christmas is an early musical standout, as it embodies the community spirit of jubilance and excitement on Christmas Eve. It Feels Like Christmas is another notably excellent track that effortlessly encapsulates the festive season's essence and makes you smile. Additionally, the finale is all the more heartwarming and touching with the accompanying song entitled When Love Is Found. Also worth noting is Miles Goodman's accompanying score, which is joyously Yuletide-soaked when it needs to be and suitably intense in other scenes. For the film's theatrical release, Disney demanded the removal of the song When Love Is Gone (sung by Meredith Braun as Scrooge's former love, Belle), though an extended edition featuring the excised track later appeared on VHS and LaserDisc. Fans are split on their preferred version of the movie, with Brian Henson believing that When Love Is Gone is essential and some fans refusing to buy DVD or Blu-ray releases without the song. Although the narrative feels more complete with the song's inclusion, it does noticeably slow the pacing due to its sombre tone, starkly contrasting with the movie's cheery, upbeat, festive-soaked original songs.
Michael Caine plays the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge with utmost sincerity, treating the material like a Shakespearean drama instead of a Muppet production. Indeed, despite starring alongside the Muppets, he treats his co-stars as actual actors, in turn bringing a sense of emotion and earnestness that is rarely seen in Muppet films or Christmas comedies in general. Caine nails Scrooge's chilling callousness in the film's early scenes and convincingly undergoes a steady transformation by interacting with the three spirits on Christmas night, exuding believable warmth after making the all-important turn. It is refreshing to witness a dramatic actor of Caine's immense calibre in what could have been a throwaway comedic role, and the thespian's portrayal of Scrooge is up there with George C. Scott and Alastair Sim's interpretations of the legendary miser. Meanwhile, the voice cast is just as good as Caine (in their own way, that is). The Muppet Christmas Carol is the first Muppet movie not to feature Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, as Steve Whitmire took over the role of Kermit after the legendary puppeteer's unfortunate death. Luckily, the transition is commendably seamless, with Whitmire presenting a new take on Kermit that would continue until his removal from The Muppets Studios in 2016. Miraculously, even though Juhl's screenplay includes much of the text's dry original dialogue, the movie is perpetually engaging thanks to the lively performances. Technical contributions across the board are likewise superb, with authentic-looking sets and vibrant cinematography. With director of photography John Fenner (1990's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) capturing the picture on 35mm celluloid, it looks like a proper film and carries strong visual gravitas.
Since The Muppet Christmas Carol keeps the source intact, the film retains the original story's themes and messages about not taking things for granted, the importance of leaving a positive legacy, and how the passage of time brings loss and regret. The ruminations on loss were undoubtedly timely for the Muppets crew during the production of the film due to Jim Henson's passing, and the movie is a perfect tribute to the legendary puppeteer and filmmaker since The Muppet Christmas Carol serves to entertain children while teaching them real-world morals and values. Suddenly, one of the film's key messages about living life to its fullest and bringing joy to others carries unbearable emotional weight because it mirrors the lessons Jim taught his son, Brian. For lovers of Christmas movies or Muppet movies, or admirers of Dickens's writing, you cannot go wrong with The Muppet Christmas Carol. It is delightful viewing for the whole family due to its heart, humour, charm and wonderful songs. It's a welcome Christmas treat that deserves continued prominence as one of the most beloved festive movies and holiday film traditions of our time.
9.0/10
