With anticipation surrounding the holiday season reaching a fever pitch earlier each year, Robert Zemeckis’ “A Christmas Carol” is the first Christmas-themed movie release for 2009.

Using the same “performance capture” technique that characterized his interpretations of “The Polar Express” and “Beowulf,” Zemeckis gives his audience beautifully rendered characters and landscapes. 

From the smallest wrinkle on Scrooge’s face, to a sprawling recreation of London at the height of the industrial revolution, the animation in “A Christmas Carol” never fails to impress, especially when viewed in 3D.

The film also breaks new ground by starring Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge and the three Ghosts of Christmas.

Gone is the overdramatic, almost twitchy, Jim Carrey of “Bruce Almighty,” “The Mask” and “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.” Instead you are left with a serious performance, delivered in a way that leaves little room for the intentional overacting and improvisation Carrey is known for. His delivery, particularly in the role of Scrooge, is impressive.  He smoothly transitions from the miserly, sour Scrooge to the desperate Scrooge, who must  come to terms with his sins and what he must do to avoid the fate of which he has been forewarned.

From a wise-cracking, average Joe with the powers of God to a miserly old man who is fighting for his humanity, Carrey, the actor, is able to do it all.  

Most of the dialogue is almost identical to the language used in the original story by Charles Dickens.

This respect for the original novella gives the movie a more serious tone which may prove to be a turnoff for some families who expect a more fun, child-friendly romp from the Disney house.

Ironically, the source material is also the movie’s greatest fault.

Let’s face it, “A Christmas Carol” has been told to death. Disney, alone, has released three different versions in the past 30 years. As timeless as the story may be, it still feels a bit overexposed.

Yet, this film shouldn’t be missed by anyone who is itching to get into the Christmas spirit, even though it may still be a balmy 70 degrees when they walk outside.