The Muppet Christmas Carol Blu-ray Review

The 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer of "The Muppet Christmas Carol" significantly surpasses its outdated DVD counterparts from 2002 and 2005, offering a vastly improved viewing experience. Disney has meticulously upgraded this treasured film, producing vibrant and lively colors. While the early scenes have a noticeable icy blue hue that slightly shifts skin tones and primary colors, warmer and more natural visuals dominate the scenes depicting Scrooge's past, his first visit to the Cratchett house, and his ultimate redemption. The detailed textures of the Muppets, such as the intricate felt and fur, and the tiniest fuzz on Gonzo's nose, are exceptionally refined and palpable. The live-action segments also showcase wonderfully natural skin tones and a remarkable level of detail in facial features, despite minor inconsistencies in contrast leading to occasional dullness or crush. Minor print damage and compositing issues are inherent to the source but remain negligible.

Edges are consistently crisp and clean, with only occasional subtle ringing. Grain is maintained and unobtrusive, contributing to a filmic presentation devoid of significant anomalies like macroblocking, banding, or aliasing. Disney's dedication to preserving the film's integrity is evident in every frame, reaffirming their reputation for high-quality catalog releases. Minor print damage is minimal and largely inconsequential. The varied assortments of Muppets and live actors are visually distinct, with wrinkles on Michael Caine's face particularly well-defined. Despite a few imperfections in contrast, the overall result is a highly pleasing and richly detailed picture that breathes new life into this classic holiday film.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track for "The Muppet Christmas Carol" is commendably clear, ensuring that dialogue remains consistently intelligible and centralized. The musical numbers successfully fill the soundfield, albeit predominantly in the front channels. LFE presence is notable, particularly during scenes featuring the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, where it contributes substantial depth and resonance. Interior acoustics are handled well; however, the mix's reliance on the front speakers leaves the rear channels underutilized. This results in a somewhat front-heavy presentation with minimal environmental ambiance and weak directional effects.

While the dialogue and music are expertly managed, the overall audio experience lacks a wholly immersive quality. Ambience and nuanced sound effects, which typically enhance the spatial dimensions of a film, are primarily conveyed through the front speakers, causing the rear speakers to play a subdued role throughout much of the movie. This limitation is especially apparent during larger song and dance sequences where an engaging surround atmosphere would be most effective. As a result, the experience falls somewhat flat in terms of enveloping the audience within the soundscape.

In summary, while "The Muppet Christmas Carol" offers a satisfactory auditory experience with clear dialogue and a decent LFE output, it falls short in creating a fully immersive environment due to its overly front-centric audio mix and underused rear channels.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Muppet Christmas Carol" are a mixed bag, offering a blend of enlightening and entertaining content. The standout is the highly informative audio commentary by director Brian Henson from the 2005 DVD release, which delves into behind-the-scenes details such as set design, the integration of Muppets with human actors, and the film's faithful Dickens adaptation. Conversely, the new audio commentary featuring Kermit, Gonzo, and Rizzo, while novel, lacks depth and quickly loses its charm. The "Holiday Intermission Songs" is a delightful feature that enables viewers to enjoy festive songs performed by the Muppets when pausing the film. Meanwhile, "Frogs, Pigs and Humbug" provides substantial insight with interviews from cast and crew. Additional features include fun interludes like "Gonzo: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Weirdo," a global holiday traditions overview in "Christmas Around the World," and an entertaining Muppets-styled blooper reel.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentaries: Dual tracks with a deeply informative guide by Brian Henson and a lighter commentary by Kermit, Gonzo, and Rizzo.
• Holiday Intermission Songs: Enjoyable musical interludes available when pausing the film.
• Frogs, Pigs and Humbug: Unwrapping a New Holiday Classic: Behind-the-scenes making-of featurette.
• Gonzo: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Weirdo: Pepe the Prawn hosts a look at Gonzo's history.
• Christmas Around the World: Festive traditions discussed by Rizzo and Gonzo.
• Blooper Reel: Muppet-style outtakes.

"The Muppet Christmas Carol," directed by Brian Henson, serves as both an exceptional adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic story and a heartfelt tribute to Jim Henson. Despite the theatrical version's exclusion of the poignant musical number "When Love is Gone," the film remains a stunningly faithful rendition of Dickens’ tale, blending humor and poignancy seamlessly. Michael Caine stars as Ebenezer Scrooge, delivering an emotionally resonant performance that stands out even amidst an ensemble cast of Muppets. Caine's portrayal of the miserly banker adds unexpected depth to the production, grounding the lighter, whimsical elements provided by Gonzo and Rizzo's comedic narration.

The film painstakingly retains the dialogue and spirit of the original novel while imbuing it with the Muppets' signature charm. Noteworthy is the palpable sense of melancholy pervading the film, a tribute to Jim Henson’s recent passing that adds an additional layer of emotional depth. The Muppets, led by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, provide memorable performances that harmonize perfectly with Caine’s stoic Scrooge, ensuring each character’s role is both poignant and entertaining. Musical numbers like "One More Sleep 'til Christmas" and "Thankful Heart" stand out for their sheer charm and intricate choreography, sustaining the film's engaging tone throughout.

Brian Henson’s direction, paired with Jerry Juhl’s deft screenplay, captures a delicate balance between humor and gravity, encapsulating both the frolic and core message of Dickens’ story. The film's technical prowess is apparent in its sophisticated puppetry and production design, which complements the narrative’s emotional beats without overshadowing them. "The Muppet Christmas Carol" is a remarkable blend of heartfelt story-telling, faithful adaption, and top-tier puppeteering that guarantees it as an enduring holiday classic celebrated by audiences annually.

The Blu-ray release of "The Muppet Christmas Carol" brings a beloved holiday classic to high definition, providing a treat for both new viewers and longtime fans. Directed by Brian Henson, the film beautifully weaves heartwarming narrative and endearing performances, preserving the whimsical spirit that has defined the Muppets for generations. The video quality on this Blu-ray edition is commendable, with crisp visuals and vibrant colors that breathe new life into the charming puppetry and set designs. The audio, while merely decent and not exceptional, still manages to capture the essence of the musical numbers and dialogue, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience.

However, it is important to note that this Blu-ray edition does come with some notable shortcomings. Fans of the film will likely be disappointed by the absence of the extended cut and the omission of the song "When Love is Gone," a segment that many feel enhances the emotional depth of the story. These exclusions mark a missed opportunity for what could have been the definitive release of this cherished film. While these omissions do detract from the overall package, they should not completely overshadow the impressive AV presentation that this release offers.

In conclusion, while this Blu-ray edition may not fulfill every expectation of die-hard fans, it still offers a solid upgrade in terms of picture quality and retains the endearing charm that has made "The Muppet Christmas Carol" a holiday favorite for decades. Although it isn't the definitive release many hoped for, it remains a worthy addition to any collection. Hold onto any previous extended cut releases for now, but feel confident in adding this Blu-ray to your holiday rotation as we patiently await a more complete edition from Disney in the future.