7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.7 |
A contemporary comedy based on Charles Dickens' novel "A Christmas Carol," focusing on a television executive who decides to exploit the holidays to boost ratings.
Starring: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe, John Glover, Bobcat GoldthwaitComedy | 100% |
Holiday | 71% |
Supernatural | 18% |
Dark humor | 7% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 2.0
Spanish: Dolby Digital Mono (224 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
We don’t want to scare the Dickens out of people.
Stop and think, for a moment, of literature's "immortal tales." Maybe the revenge-laden story that is Moby Dick makes the list, perhaps
it's
the life of a girl forced to parade around town with a large "scarlet letter" adorning her garb that comes to mind, or does the sight of an old man on
the sea
conjure up a notion of literary nostalgia? One such tale that should make everyone's list is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.
It's
probably the go-to fictional reference piece based on what is, for many people, the most important day of the year. But it's not just the tradition of
reading it
in front of the fire or around the tree at Christmastime that's made it such a memorable tale; it's also the story's widespread incursion into filmed
entrainment that's allowed it to enjoy an even more broad audience. From one of the earliest
adaptations starring Tom Ricketts from cinema's silent era all the way to a dazzling modern spectacle of special effects wizardry in Robert Zemeckis'
motion capture dazzler, the story is no stranger to film and, therefore, no
stranger
to most anyone with access to cable television, a home video collection, or yes, a well-loved hardbound Christmas book. But there's one filmed
adaptation that stands not above the rest, but sort of off to the side. It's a wonderfully off-kilter, uproariously funny, but at the same time heartfelt
look at the story through the yes of, who else, Comedy legend Bill Murray playing the part of the not-so-old codger -- in this take on the classic tale,
anyway -- Ebenezer Scrooge. While Murray's Scrooged plays almost like a side show version of the story, it remains faithful to the original
tale's
basic tenants and plot. It's a feel-good, well-made modernization that's a real underdog when it comes to its potential place on a list of films worthy
of
being labeled
Holiday "classics," but it has just as
much of a chance of cracking any Christmas movie "best of" collection out there.
Cross is Scroo(ew)ged.
Scrooged arrives on Blu-ray with a solid 1080p Blu-ray transfer. Fine detail is rather strong, whether as evident on Murray's porous face or the crusty details that make up the dried-out Lew character. The various low-grade IBC footage holds up well, too. Clarity is strong and the image is aided by slight grain retention. Colors are very well balanced; the movie is fairly dark in many spots, and while minor crush is cause for concern -- black clothes often disappear into shadowy corners -- the palette is stable throughout its varied range. Flesh tones appear natural and balanced. The print is clean and the image is generally sharp, though a few slightly soft scenes creep in from time to time. Blocking, banding, and the like never factor into the equation. This is a genuinely solid, good-looking catalogue transfer. Most longtime fans should be pleased with the results.
Scrooged features a balanced and satisfying DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The track is rich and full, yielding impressive results with every opportunity it has to go beyond simple dialogue. It offers good musical spacing and robust clarity, both made better by minor back channel aid. Directional effects are strong, as evidenced almost immediately during the siege on the North Pole. Bass is strong in this and other scenes, too; it's balanced and forceful but not obnoxious for the sake of volume and disingenuous effect. A few shotgun blasts as heard in the film's final act are suitably potent. Ambience around the office, on the set of IBC's A Christmas Carol, and in other stops around the film is natural and nicely enveloping. Dialogue is smooth and center-focused. This is a surprisingly robust track; there much to be heard, and Paramount's track reveals its all nicely.
Unfortunately, this Blu-ray release of Scrooged contains only the film's theatrical trailer (1080p, 2:37) as its lone supplement.
Scrooged is a fun little movie that mixes the new with the old while espousing the same basic principles as the tellings that have come before it. While the first act is demonstrably different from anything else in the A Christmas Carol universe, the picture settles into an air of familiarity once the ghosts show up. From there, the movie becomes linear and predictable in substance but not in style. Still, it all comes down to a life forever changed for the better, a story of mistakes made, opportunities missed, and old wounds healed within the frame of the spirit of Christmas and the notions of charity, forgiveness, and understanding. Paramount's Blu-ray release of Scrooged contains no substantive extras, but it does yield solid video and audio. Recommended.
1988
1988
25th Anniversary Edition
1988
1988
1988
35th Anniversary Edition
1988
The Unrated Version and Director's Cut
2003
40th Anniversary Edition
1983
2015
Extended Cut | Extra Dope Edition
2011
2009
2012
2016
2013
Nine to Five | Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1980
1999
1941
2014
1998
2013
Collector's Edition
1983
2016
2015
2017
2016
1987