'Scrooge: A Christmas Carol' (2022)

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol is a 2022 Netflix animation movie that is centered around the classic Christmas tale of the same name.

The opening scene showcases a song capturing the joy of the holiday season, where everyone celebrates with gift-giving—a cherished Christmas tradition. The setting is London, England, in 1843. Following the title sequence, the children continuing singing until a mysterious shadow suddenly appears.

The shadow turns out to be Ebenezer, the main protagonist, who is branded as selfish by the townspeople. Ebenezer is nicknamed Mr. Scrooge due to his negative attitude toward the holiday season. His best and only friend is a dog. In contrast, his cousin Harry embodies the holiday spirit with a personality opposite to Ebenezer’s. Ebenezer’s eyes are fixated on gold, and he fails to recognize that money can’t buy happiness.

In Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, numerous references to the original “A Christmas Carol” are evident, along with some notable changes. In his animated form, Ebenezer is redesigned with black and grey as his signature colors, highlighting his dull attitude towards Christmas. As the mayor, Ebenezer abuses his power for personal gain rather than helping others. His signature line remains “Christmas, bah-humbug!”

The three ghosts of Christmas—Past, Present, and Future—initially appear in blue and white forms before transitioning into their gold forms. Subsequently, Ebenezer is taken through a time warp, evident in flashback scenes from his past and a flash-forward scene depicting the future. A foreshadowing element in the animated movie involves a blue and white light on the picture frame muttering “Scrooge,” watching over Ebenezer when he is unaware.

In the past, Ebenezer encounters his younger self, characterized by brown hair and fair skin. He is charming among the ladies and has a girlfriend. However, all the positive aspects come to an end when Ebenezer becomes solely focused on wealth.

The climax occurs when Ebenezer visits the Future. As is customary in adaptations of “A Christmas Carol,” the Future is bleak, symbolizing the consequences of Ebenezer’s greedy actions on others. There is no positive version of the Future; the bleak Future, a common theme in various adaptations, serves as a reminder to viewers that not everything that glitters is gold. Ebenezer experiences a moment of clarity when he realizes he must rectify the mistakes he has made and strive to become a more genuine person. His tears symbolize a profound sense of sorrow and guilt. By visiting the future, Ebenezer realizes the error of his ways and the true meaning of the holidays. This animated movie shows viewers that giving is more valuable than taking.