In a word, this movie is creepy.  I should have known because most movies that Jim Carrey stars in, he usually takes them to a darker place, Lemony Snicket's: A Series of Unfortunate Events and How the Grinch Stole Christmas were both a bit on the dark side.  In total this movie had about 5 minutes of happiness.  We went to see this movie on a whim, not really thinking about whether or not this movie needed to be pre-screened prior to taking our children.  Hey, this movie is in 3-D and it's a Disney film, the kids will be entertained by it right?  Wrong! The visual effects in this movie are spectacular, but it is way too emotional for kids. I felt really bad because my daughter actually cried during this movie.  Shoot, I was frightened my self a time or two.  I cannot remember every seeing any version of the Christmas Carol in its entirety, but I know the storyline and I also know that they are not as intense as this one.  I think Disney missed the mark big time on this one.  It was as if Ebenezer Scrooge literally went to hell(there was a scene where he fell in the ground and it was red hot) and back. 

Recap: So Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Carrey) is an old bitter miser.  He hates everyone and he especially hates Christmas.  So on Christmas Eve he is visited by a ghost who tells him he will be visited by 3 ghosts (also played by Carrey), the ghost of Christmas past, present and the ghost of Christmas yet to come.  During the first visit we find out why he is bitter.  He has actually spent Christmas alone as an adolescent.  I am certain the kids will miss this fact since it wasn't said explicitly, and so we move on to the ghost of Christmas present.  Now the ghost of Christmas present was, in my opinion, the worst of all.  The symbolism here is ambiguous.  He sits on top of a Christmas tree dressed like Santa Claus, but there is a strong reference (that children will not get-thank goodness) Jesus Christ.  If this is in fact the intention, that is just so wrong! He wasn't nice and he had an awful perpetual laugh.  The ghost of Christmas yet to come is where Scrooge is repentant and promises to be kind and generous. 

The final minutes of this movie shows Scrooge making good on his promises.  It is probably the last 5 minutes of the show.  I was left wondering what a child was supposed to get out of this.  Even though I knew it was probably going to be a little dark coming from the producer of Polar Express (Robert Zemeckis), I had no idea that it was going to be a scary as it was.  Even knowing the rating would not clue you in on this fact, as most "kid" movies are PG.  So if you are looking to see a horror of a Christmas movie then Disney's A Christmas Carol is for you. If not, then I would steer far far away from this movie.  The visual effects cannot make up for its creepy (ness).  I regret taking my daughter to this movie and if didn't have people with us, I am certain I would have left the theater. I may have enjoyed this film without the kiddos.  I was constantly worried about how "scared' they were.  I recommend this movie for kids maybe 10 and older, otherwise, stick to the TV versions.