How do I even start this? First, let's look at a few facts: In the past I have acted in a professional rendition of A Christmas Carol, I have worked in the technical department of the professional version no less than five times, I have seen at least three versions of the play, I have seen a different rendition of the movie at least seven times, and have read the book once. All that to say, and please excuse the sacrilegious comment here, I have hated the story, never got anything out of it, seen very little value in the story, haven't understood it, and been rather bored with this classic from Charles Dickens.

That is until today. Today I had the opportunity to see the new Disney animated 3-D rendition starring Jim Carrey. Today I saw something that reminded me of the classics of Disney when I was a child, an experience I haven't had from Disney since The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast; in fact, I would say that for the first time in a long time, I got to experience what some of us who are older used to call Disney Magic.

Few films come about that are deserving of being called Epic or Classic. I think the last Christmas style story to display this type of character was The Polar Express. Thankfully, I had the chance prior to the start of this Christmas season to find another film fitting the mold of The Polar Express when I went to see A Christmas Carol in 3-D.

Most of us are familiar with the story of Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. In this classic story Ebenezer is an old geezer who has no respect for Christmas, what it stands for, or the people around him. Some seven years later, after the death of his coworker Marley, performed by Gary Oldman, he is visited on Christmas Eve by the Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, and The Ghost of Christmas Future. He sees his life in a different light and is challenged to do something with it. In many ways, Scrooge is one who represents all of us, all of us who go through life not enjoying life in the fullness life has to offer, including the benefits of a faith where we see others as valuable and deserving of love, love that goes beyond words, love that is moved and motivated by action.

Technically from the exceptional sound to animation, A Christmas Carol is BRILLIANT! Not only is it brilliant technically, though, Jim Carrey is exceptional and if awards or nominations could be given for acting in an animated feature, he is deserving of it. Frankly I think Jim Carrey does such an exceptional job in this movie that he should be considered for nomination in major awards. The animation team should also be considered for the life they give to the characters in this movie. The life-like qualities given to the characters in this film are second to none of any animation I have ever seen, in any style, in any form. Carrey takes on the role of numerous characters in the film, but leave no doubt about it, Ebenezer Scrooge is the character to watch. The work of the animation team is work to enjoy and admire.

One of the extremely enjoyable components about the film version I saw was the 3-D effects. While a great many 3-D effects in movies go for scare-and-jump tactics, Disney in their brilliance used the effect to draw the viewer into the story. There are virtually no jump effects in the film, but for the first time, it was as if I was in the film, witnessing the story first hand. From the incredible scenery to the beautiful characters that fill the screen, the 3-D isn't just a gimmick here, it is a beautiful part of the story.

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