Scrooged (2012 Re-pack) [DVD]

Trying to get in some Christmas films before next Wednesday. Scrooged sees selfish cynical television executive Frank Cross (Bill Murray) haunted by three ghosts bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.Like everyone I am familiar with the story of ‘A Christmas Carol’ so I was interested to see this take on the story with Murray at the focus. For the most part (especially the first half) this works, the jokes are entertaining and mostly land and some of the slapstick and running gags are hilarious (e.g. the woman assistant who is constantly unlucky enough to keep getting injured). The ghost sections are visually engaging and each unique in their visual style and tones, the highlight visually being the Ghost Of Christmas Future which brings in some cool and impressive practical horror elements and the Ghost Of Christmas Past being the most entertaining. The film’s script does have genuine heart to it and you can easily forgive the very cheesy finale because it just works extremely well as a closer to what we’ve and an arc for Frank’s character.Murray is as good as always here. He’s clearly relishing the chance to play a horrible person. Frank is genuinely one of the most unlikeable character’s I’ve seen in a comedy yet also very funny at times with biting sarcasm and borderline psychotic behaviour and rudeness to the general public and his employees, this really is a credit to Murray’s performance. Bobcat Goldthwait is funny as Eliot Loudermilk who is fired on Christmas Eve by Frank and begins to have the worst day of his life. It’s also good seeing Robert Mitchum in a comedic role as Frank’s boss Preston Rhinelander, Alfre Woodard and Nicholas Phillips are a good emotional centre to the film and easily the scene stealing performance aside from Murray is David Johansen as the Ghost Of Christmas Past who is an absolute cackling riot.Karen Allen is a good as Frank’s love interest, however I didn’t buy their relationship as much as the film probably expected me to. The pacing of this film also could’ve have been improved. Even though the Christmas Past section is the best it takes up a significant chunk of the film and means the other two sections don’t get as much time. It’s interesting and sweet seeing Grace’s family time, however I did find Carol Kane’s voice performance as the Ghost Of Christmas Present slightly irritating and the slapstick between her and Frank does become repetitive and obviously like every comedy not every joke lands and some here don’t land as well as they should and either go on a bit too long or are just unfunny.Scrooged is an entertaining Christmas comedy with a great lead performance from Bill Murray and some memorable ghost sections and funny slapstick and situational gags and a cheesy but fitting ending. The film does have some pacing issues and there are some repetitive jokes and not every line lands. However I can still definitely say Scrooged is worth Christmas viewing.

I grew up in the USA (gun worshipping society) and loved this movie as a kid. Well, my UK-raised kids found the opening scenes (advert) with the men attacking Santa with machine guns (never thought twice about it as a kid in the USA- how typical) just too much and refused to watch it any further. Have to admit, I think my kids have a point! Therefore, 2 stars....

I’m American, but have lived in the UK for 20 years. I had last seen this as a kid in the States and remembered it being middling funny. Wow, how tastes change! This movie is an absolute stink bomb. I cannot recommend anything positive about it. Whilst the concept sounds as though it would be amusing, there is not a scintilla of humour in this foul puddle of puerile drivel. I cannot see it being even slightly funny to anyone but an American audience of 40 years ago. I was embarrassed. If I’d just come out of a cinema showing it I would have affected an accent or pretended to be Canadian (like it was 2003 again). Spare yourself the agony & save your precious time!

Probably the worst film I've ever seen although I only watched half of it before turning it off. No script, make it up as you go along, often the actors did whole scenes just repeating the same words in different ways. The great Bill Murray was left to wallow in this sinking ship with little to do but mug at the camera. There didn't seem to be a director as such, just a series of pointless camera angles. It keeps promising more but never actually delivers.

I love all things Ghostbusters. Until there was the Reboot (ignore the haters there's fun to be had here) and Afterlife (a very fun Stranger Things twist to the formula) this was like an alternate universe GB3 for me. If Venkman were a TV exec' this is what he'd end up being like! Super use of the cameos and obviously Bill Murray does his thing as always. I like his little gestures as much as his sharp dialogue delivery and improv skills. Things like glancing at his watch while checking how many years since he last saw the love of his life. Genius!

Bill Murray is on amazing form in this funny and heartwarming film about a modern-day Scrooge who has to confront his many terrible flaws and find love in his heart. Absolutely wonderful, slapstick, witty and full of endearing characters. My favourite is the Ghost of Christmas Present - a violent anarchic fairy played to perfection by Carol Kane. It's just a lovely film that even the most Bah Humbug of us can enjoy. Happy Christmas!