("Good King Wenceslas"), the cartoonish malice of the black-hearted misanthropes Marley & Marley ("Marley & Marley"), and the hope-swollen harmonies of Tiny Tim and Family ("Bless Us All"), Muppeted here to hilariously humble effect. If, on the other hand, your interest in this disc has more to do with its inclusion in the way-narrow Christmas-record-for-kids category--if the spirit of the season doesn't extend, for you, to the magic of the Muppets--you may want to keep browsing, as it's a soundtrack first (overture, instrumentals, and all) and a Christmas CD second. That's not to suggest you're stuck with an un-fun disc should it land on your holiday stack without a prior screening, though. Miles Goodman's score sweeps and inspires, and certain...  (less)

Michael Caine (Best Supporting Actor, 2000, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES; 1987, HANNAH AND HER SISTERS) gives a performance that's anything but "bah, humbug!" as greedy, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge. One fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Together with kind, humble Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) and his family, the Spirits open Scrooge's eyes -- and his heart -- to the true meaning of Christmas. Filled with original music and dazzling special effects, this restored and remastered 50th Anniversary Edition of THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL will become a holiday tradition your family will treasure all the days of the year.~~(C) The Muppets Holding Company, LLC and BVHE. MUPPETS characters and eleme...  (less)