Reel Critic:

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has been adapted hundreds of times to the stage, film and television. Many consider the 1951 film adaptation starring Alastair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge to be the definitive version. Nonetheless, every few years a new version comes along, including animated productions featuring Mr. Magoo (1962) and the Muppets (1992).

Because this story has been told countless times and is well known to nearly all English-speaking persons, the need for yet another production is questionable. Seemingly, the prospect of utilizing state-of-the-art motion capture, computer generated images and the new 3D technology proved too big a lure to Walt Disney Studios and high-profile director Robert Zemeckis.

“A Christmas Carol” is a high-budget, special effects-laden vehicle starring Jim Carrey in multiple roles including Scrooge (at several different ages) and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. The advanced technology allows Zemeckis to recreate Victorian London in minute detail, and the city is featured prominently in several aerial and ground-level sequences. As with other animation technology, these techniques allow the scenery and characters to be portrayed without regard to natural proportion or symmetry. The result is somewhat hallucinogenic as the viewer is inextricably drawn into this alternate universe.

Zemeckis has been on the cutting edge of motion capture since directing “The Polar Express” in 2004 and used the same process in “Beowulf” in 2007. Motion capture involves attaching sensors to a live actor who performs a variety of movements. These movements are “captured” electronically and used for the basis of the character’s action in the film after the images have been significantly enhanced using computer-based animation techniques.

In “The Polar Express,” motion capture was criticized by some for the zombie-like appearance of the characters. Particularly disturbing was the character of the conductor played by Tom Hanks, who appeared as a lifeless animated image of himself. The process has improved significantly regarding the main characters. However, minor characters continue to look odd, and their movements are much less fluid.

Most impressive in “A Christmas Carol” is the 3D effect. Zemeckis makes better use of the 3D technology than most directors. He refrains from having things jump out at the audience and uses the effect more for depth and increased perspective.

In “A Christmas Carol,” it is apparent that a great deal of effort was expended to render the Scrooge character as memorable as possible. The results are fairly amazing as Scrooge is thinner, grimmer and more hunched over than before. Carrey gives a surprisingly restrained performance in the main role and is allowed to chew the scenery in his portrayal of the three ghosts, particularly Christmas Present. Other notables in the cast include Gary Oldman (Bob Cratchit, Marley and Tiny Tim), Colin Firth, Cary Elwes and Robin Wright Penn.

Even though the technology is the star, the story and the dialogue remain faithful to the source. This is a straightforward telling of a timeless tale other than the jaw-dropping visuals.

There is one gratuitous scene where the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come chases a miniaturized Scrooge through the streets of London, but other than this one indulgence, the special effects do not intrude.

“A Christmas Carol” is rated PG for scary sequences.

This warning should be taken to heart as the film may be frightening for young children.

VAN NOVACK is the assistant vice president of institutional research and assessment at Cal State Long Beach and lives in Huntington Beach with his wife, Elizabeth.