Scrooged (1988)

Put a little love in your heart. This is a perfect vehicle for Bill Murray, his brand of sarcastic and caustic delivery is nailed on perfect for Frank Cross, the modern day scrooge in this tale. I have often found him to be an acquired taste, I mean don't get me wrong here, I'm a big fan and can repeatedly watch his best offerings, but it's not hard to understand why his style is not universally loved. Scrooged is pure and simply the modern spin of the story we all have grown up with, that isn't to say that the film loses anything as regards Christmas spirit, because it doesn't, the message is still the same, and in this ever changing world of ours the core essence of the story is one the world should heed. This version is a blast, it's loud, it's brash, but boy is it damn funny, and I personally watch it every Christmas without fail. And yes, I watch it alongside the glorious Alistair Sim version, for although they are poles apart in class, they both entertain for very different reasons. Joining Murray in this festive romp is the delightful Karen Allen, while luminaries such as former New York Dolls front man David Johansen and Mr. Laconic himself, Robert Mitchum, add some weight to the cast list. It all works really rather well with the exception of Carol Kane's Ghost Of Christmas Present, where to me she comes off as being more annoying than funny, but that of course is a personal opinion and I know as fact that many others adore her energetic performance. With quips aplenty and of course with a simple heartfelt message at the core, Scrooged is truly a sharp and enjoyable film to be enjoyed at the festive period. Thanks boys, get the nurse! 8/10

Surprisingly, I didn't enjoy 'Scrooged' all that much. I never really clicked with this 1988 release whilst I was watching it. Bill Murray is fine, the Ghost of Christmas Past is good and the bits of the plot involving Alfre Woodard's character are decent. That's all I have for noteworthy positives, though. The vibe of the film felt off to me. I didn't connect with Murray's Frank at any point, whether it be the past, the present or the future version of him. I get, as Scrooge, you're supposed to dislike him, but I've seen a fair few versions of 'A Christmas Carol' and I feel like the Scrooge character is usually moreso cowardly bad, as in he'll be horrid to people behind their back or under his breath - as opposed to Frank Cross, who is in your face, over the top, overtly mean. Perhaps I'm misremembering or it just stuck out to me more here as I didn't like much else from the 100 or so minutes. For an Xmas flick, also, it doesn't hit the Christmassy spot either. It could've done with more warmth, or at least some entertaining and/or funny moments; I did minorly chuckle a few times, I will say, but not nearly enough. I still wouldn't describe this as a 'bad' film, but it is quite far adrift of being a positive in my books. I thought this would've be a good'un, many think it is which is fair, but for me I unfortunately didn't particularly like it.

Does Bill break the 4th wall or is he talking to the TV audience? I mean, this movie and the argument my parents had after it was how I learned what the 4th wall was... and for the record, I side with Mom, he was clearly breaking it. You already know the plot, which is nice about these movies, you know what is going to happen, it's all about how they are going to present it, and the presentation was pretty hysterical. It is very 80s, very 80s comedy, playing with the offensive and the inoffensive in a family friendly way, and at the end of the day, you get a good laugh over a Christmas tale. There isn't that much to say, you already know everything about it without actually needing to watch it, just that this presentation is funny and heart warming... heart warming like all the others, save for the remake made for "Modern Audiences" that ends on a note of spite and hate.

Not this time Bill, not this time. This time, Bill's signature antics worked against him. I don't know what happened, maybe Bill just didn't want to play in this movie, but he overacted too much in all scenes, whether comic scenes or dramatic ones, it doesn't matter. There was only one scene where he showed us all his skills in the end. And that scene was the only one within the whole movie that brings us a Christmas attitude. What should be an essential part of any Christmas movie. Ghosts of the Past and Present were good enough. But the FUTURE? Who wouldn't be scared to death in his place when your death is shown in such a manner? It's a dirty hack for the Future, it's impossible not to change his mind about everything they ask. He would eat his nails or a maggot if they would ask after that. Worth to watch once, but I doubt I will be watching this again. Rate: 7

"Scrooged" has been suggested by "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens and the familiar themes this film tackles are becoming increasingly relevant with the passing of each year as the human race becomes even more isolated and jaded than ever before by the unceasing and repetitive grinds and demands of daily life where considerations such as kindness and a generosity of spirit are fading fast and in danger of never being recovered after they have been lost. This film attempts to address the malaise and remind people that life is only worth living when it is done with a genuine sense of charity towards other people and this shouldn't be restricted to just one day of the year. The Christmas spirit can and should be adopted as a lifestyle choice and the repeated attempts to attain this goal ought to be the only insatiable greed in the world today.