The Muppet Christmas Carol

                                     

                                      The Muppet Christmas Carol.

First off I know this isn't an animated movie but if you really think about 

it, it is kind of animated if you but into the account that there 

are puppeteers animating the Muppets so technically it is kind of 

animated so it makes my list of best animated Christmas movies of all 

time plus having Michael Caine in anything should make any kind of list 

you can come up with. So, with that lets get to the story shall we:

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie and the entire cast of the Muppet 

universe come together to re-tell Charles Dicken's immortal classic "A 

Christmas Carol" This was the first time the Muppets appeared on screen 

since Jim Henson's death in 1990. Michael Caine gives a magnificent 

performance as Ebenezer Scrooge. 

On Christmas Eve, in 19th century London, Charles Dickens (played 

by Gonzo the Great) and his friend Rizzo act as narrators throughout the 

film. Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine), a cold-hearted, bad-tempered 

and selfish money-lender, does not share the merriment of Christmas. 

Scrooge rejects his nephew Fred's invitation to Christmas dinner, 

dismisses two gentlemen collecting money for charity, and tosses a 

wreath at a carol-singing Bean Bunny. His loyal employee Bob 

Cratchit (played by Kermit the Frog) and the other bookkeepers request 

to have Christmas Day off since there will be no business for Scrooge on 

the day, to which he reluctantly agrees. Scrooge leaves for home while 

the bookkeepers celebrate Christmas. In his house, Scrooge encounters 

the shackled ghosts of his late business partners Jacob and Robert 

Marley (played by Statler and Waldorf), who warn him to repent his 

wicked ways or he will be condemned to suffer in the afterlife like they 

were, informing him that three spirits will visit him during the night.

At one o'clock, Scrooge is visited by the childlike Ghost of Christmas 

Past who takes him back in time to his childhood and early adult life, 

with Dickens and Rizzo hitching a ride too. They visit his lonely school 

days, and then his time as an employee under Fozziwig (Mr. 

Fezziwig from the original story, played by Fozzie Bear), who owned 

a rubber chicken factory. Fozziwig and his mother throw a Christmas 

party, where Scrooge meets a young woman named Belle, with whom he 

falls in love. However, the Ghost shows Scrooge how Belle left him after 

he chose money over her. A tearful Scrooge dismisses the Ghost as he 

returns to the present.

At two o'clock, Scrooge meets the gigantic, merry Ghost of Christmas 

Present, who shows him the joys and wonder of Christmas Day. Scrooge 

and the Ghost visit Fred's house where Scrooge is made fun of for his 

stinginess and general ill will toward all. Scrooge and the spirit then visit 

Bob Cratchit's house, learning his family is content with their small 

dinner. Scrooge also takes pity on Bob's ill son Tiny Tim (played by Robin 

the Frog). The Ghost of Christmas Present abruptly ages, commenting 

that Tiny Tim will likely not survive until next Christmas. Scrooge and 

the Ghost go to a cemetery, where the latter fades away. The Ghost of 

Christmas Yet to Come then approaches Scrooge, appearing as a tall, 

silent, cloaked figure. While Dickens and Rizzo abandon the audience to 

avoid being frightened, the Ghost takes Scrooge into the future.

Scrooge and the Ghost witness a group of businessmen discussing the 

death of an unnamed colleague, saying they would only attend the 

funeral if lunch was provided. In a den, Scrooge recognizes 

his charwoman, his laundress, and the local undertaker trading several 

stolen possessions of the deceased to a fence named Old Joe. The Ghost 

then transports Scrooge to Bob's house, discovering Tiny Tim has died. 

Scrooge is escorted back to the cemetery, where the Ghost points out his 

own grave, revealing Scrooge as the man who died. Realizing this, 

Scrooge decides to change his ways.

Awakening in his bedroom on Christmas Day, Scrooge decides to 

surprise Bob's family with a turkey dinner, and ventures out with Bean, 

Dickens, Rizzo, and the charity workers to spread happiness and joy 

around London. Scrooge goes to the Cratchit house, at first putting on a 

stern demeanor before revealing he intends to raise Bob's salary and pay 

off his mortgage. Dickens narrates how Scrooge became a second father 

to Tiny Tim, who escaped death. Scrooge, the Cratchits, and the 

neighborhood celebrate Christmas.