+4
The Muppet Christmas Carol
This film has been part of my Christmas for so long, it's hard to separate the film from the nostalgia. I tried to watch it with a bit more of a critical eye this time, and perhaps enjoyed it a little less as a result.
I still think it's very good, it's a warm, friendly and accessible version of the story which treats the original book with respect despite filling it with muppets. Unlike a lot of you, I did not grow up watching the Muppet show, so I know them mostly from this which probably gives it a different feel.
I think the music is brilliant, the way it blends in Christmas carols. The songs are memorable and Christmassy and warm. The singing, on the other hand, is variable. There used to be a song on the vhs version called 'The Love Has Gone' which was always pretty awful, but the way it is cut out on the dvd is a bit jarring.
I like the way Michael Caine as Scrooge plays it completely straight, no archness despite being surrounded by puppets.
Altogether a lovely Christmassy film with some good funny moments, mostly courtesy of Rizzo.