All the screenshots in this post were taken directly from the movie by me.
Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" is probably one of the most well-known Christmas stories out there, and at the same time, one of the ones that has undergone the most film adaptations over the years.
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Although it was originally published in 1843, for the pasta couple of decades it has become normal to see multiple versions of this iconic fable, live action films starring big stars like Patrick Stewart or Bill Murray, animated versions with The Flintstones, Bugs Bunny, and even a version with the Muppets. While the story is quite simple in narrative terms (Scrooge is visited in his dreams by the ghosts of Christmas, which makes him reflect and leave behind his selfish and greedy behaviors), there is something fascinating in seeing how each filmmaker decides to put his own spin on the events.
Of course, some are a little closer to the original story than others, but each one certainly has its own charm... And, in the case of "Mickey's Christmas Carol" it is not exactly difficult to understand why it deserves a place in the Olympus of animated Christmas classics.
The reason? Although it is much shorter than all the examples I mentioned above (with only 24 minutes), Mickey's Christmas Carol knows how to retain all the emotional elements of the original story, making masterful use of time and editing to flow with an almost perfect rhythm.
Likewise, although it clearly has a less "dark" and more comedic approach than the one conceived by Dickens in 43, I am surprised by how murky very specific moments of the short film can be, something that ironically complements very well the winter and December atmosphere of the story.
If I had to describe it with one word it would be "cozy," Mickey's Christmas Carol is a solid adaptation that knows how to transfer all the elements of the tale to the universe of Mickey and his friends, starring Uncle Scrooge (a character who was obviously conceived with clear inspiration from Ebenezer Scrooge), Mickey Mouse, and a couple of surprise cameos that will bring a smile to any Walt Disney fan who is a couple of years old.
Simple, beautifully animated, and filled with a good musical atmosphere, Mickey's Christmas Carol is a film that deserves a permanent place in the annual Christmas marathons, and, along with Muppets Christmas Carol, is one of the best adaptations that we will find in this regard when it comes to a more child-friendly approach.
Score taken from my Letterboxd account.
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