Every year the earth tilts on its axis 23.5 degrees from its perpendicular to its orbital plane; the sunlight grows shorter, the nights colder, and the human species gathers ‘round the telly to continue a time-honored tradition of rewatching classic Christmas movies. Now, we could easily dive into the argument of whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie (it is by the way) or create a top-10 list, but instead, we’re going to focus on the very best holiday classic, according to the Pussy Pop Culture crew. The one movie to rule them all, the one movie to find them, one movie to bring them out of the darkness and be kind to them: the 1992 musical masterpiece retelling of a Dickens’ classic, Brian Henson’s The Muppet Christmas Carol. The casting, well-placed musical numbers, and signature Muppet narrative style make this the ultimate Christmas movie.
First, Sir Michael Caine's rendition of Scrooge is, by far, the best iteration of the character. Caine puts forth an Oscar-worthy performance. After all, he told director/producer Brian Henson, “I’m going to play this movie like I’m working with the Royal Shakespeare Company. I will never wink; I will never do anything Muppety. I am going to play Scrooge as if it is an utterly dramatic role, and there are no puppets around me.” According to Caine, he also gave Kermit the Frog the best piece of acting advice: don’t blink. What a legend. From the moment Scrooge rattles insults at Bob Cratchit, Sir Michael Caine exemplifies every bit of vitriol that the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge embodies.
Secondly, the musical numbers are well-placed, characterizing important individuals and accentuating Dickens' story's most important emotional beats. In this way, the musical numbers help guide the audience’s emotional journey, drawing attention to the film’s most important themes and messages. The film begins with a celebratory overture followed by the “Scrooge” number which introduces the audience to our protagonist and his vile ways. The next musical number, “One More Sleep Til Christmas,” shifts the cinematic energy from Scrooge’s darkness to Bob Cratchit’s optimism and positivity. Scrooge and Bob are opposites and their initial songs demonstrate this; Scrooge’s emotional deficiency is contrasted with Bob’s emotional intelligence and sympathy. Here, the musical numbers developed by Paul Williams characterize Bob and Scrooge and set up Scrooge’s conflict/challenge: he must change his greedy ways. The musical numbers also reflect on the meaning of Christmas and bring the story’s message of selflessness to life in a memorable and entertaining way. At least four of the songs (from the original non-extended version) are specifically about Christmas, what it means connotatively, and how it can make us feel if we allow it.
Thirdly, the overall message of the film is ageless and made more engaging by the
Muppets signature narrative style of silly and serious thus capturing young and adult audiences. Rizzo and Gonzo’s buddy-cop-like relationship provides a comedic relief that plays directly into the Muppets' style of storytelling. They’re able to take complex emotional ideas and explain them in a delightful, emotionally intelligent way without diminishing the underlying message. The moments that should be joyful are joyful, and the moments that should be serious, are serious.
Take for example when the ghost of Christmas future arrives. This is arguably Scrooge’s crisis moment and final breakthrough (all of which are related to the meaning of Christmas and the film’), an important moment in terms of plot. Gonzo and Rizzo, who had thus
far served as comedic narrators, leave during this scene stating that things are too scary, “You’re on your own folks. We’ll meet you in the finale.” Gonzo and Rizzo need to leave at this point because there’s no room for comedy during Scrooge’s final awakening. By removing the comedic narrators, Henson lends that moment the seriousness and focus it merits in order to have an impactful and satisfactory ending. Additionally, the words spoken by Gonzo and Rizzo serve as a source of reassurance for the younger and more sensitive audience members that things will be okay in the end.
No one in film history can make both children and adults unify over the common good quite like the Muppets. That is why The Muppet Christmas Carol is the greatest Christmas movie of all time. It reminds us all, young and old, to give more energy to the important aspects of life: family, giving to others, helping those who can’t help themselves, and showing kindness no matter the circumstance. And that is what Christmas is all about.
Through a musical telling of Dickens' classic tale, the Muppets remind us that it’s never too late to make a change for the better, and it’s never too late to make amends. There’s more than enough wealth and kindness to go around, more than enough to share. Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us.
God bless us, everyone.
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