A CHRISTMAS CAROL

(PG)

Director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Who Framed Roger Rabbit) does know how to tell a story. In this case he adapts and directs this re-telling of this Dickens' classic. Scrooge (Jim Carrey) is a miser, about to go through self-redemption with the help of three ghosts. This 3-D motion capture film caught me by surprise since I was not a fan of Polar Express, finding this technique producing zombie-like blandness in place of emotional actors. Now the technology has caught up with the need to give us expression and motivations. Faces are convincing. Gorgeous period details to wild style visuals take us on this ride without sacrificing the story or beloved characters. 1951's Alastair Sim's movie version and Bill Murray's Scrooged are two of the best versions of the novel, but this one can rightly take its place next to those. The Bay Area's Image Movers should be proud of this work, though some images are too frightening for children under ten. Everyone else: a good way to get into the holiday spirit as well as take a look at the newest special effects.