I think all of the Linger(tm) youre referring to was in a song they cut, which its highly likely the version you saw didnt have. You should look kt up on youtube. When Scrooge visits Belle, theres a song “the love is gone” that explains scrooges descent . They cut it out cuz it was “too sad”. But it hits that emotional beat you say is missing. And its mirrored/reflected in the final somg, “the love weve found”, which is the same tune with different, happier words.
This was a great analysis though. I think youre right that an emotional beat needs time to absorb, and moving on too fast detracts from it. This is a great note for writers as much as film makers!
Au contraire, it was the 20th anniversary edition I got from the library and it did have that song. I did not particularly like that song though ‘cause, well, I didn’t like it. And maybe it’s just me, but singing about an emotion that you have no background for doesn’t hit the same as seeing the reason for the emotion. So I think they could’ve left that song out and instead have, like, a montage of them meeting, liking each other, and then drifting away, which ends in the breakup. There’s probably a better way to do it, but that’s just my initial idea.
I watch this movie every year on Christmas Eve with my family. As a kid I thought it was funny, as a teen I thought the songs were really catchy and cleverly written, and now as an adult I think both of these things PLUS it’s deeply beautiful and moving. You covered it very well here! I also read the book, but I didn’t mind that they skimmed over things in the movie. The emotional heft is still here (especially if you watch the theatrical version with Belle’s song not cut out). All in all, a classic!
Back in the day, I declined a chance to see this movie because I thought it would be too childish. Then I heard it was actually pretty good and regretted it! Saw it later on VHS though.
Well it's cute. Especially the cheese chunk bit. And, mercifully, obnoxious Miss Piggy had a minor role. But my favorite of this oft-remade movie is the 1951 version with Alastair Sim. No one does geezer giddy like he did.
Your lingering™ insight is well noted. Scoot is right. It's a good tip for everyone. Another great review. Thanks.
I didn't catch Muppets Christmas Carol when it came out either, but discovered it in the 00's and loved it - its my second favorite adaptation behind Patrick Stewart's version done for TNT years ago.
I also find it very interesting how much talk that movie is getting this year. It seems a whole new audience has discovered Muppets Christmas Carol this year and are loving it. I see so many reviews and first time watches on Youtube and have seen articles popping up on Substack. I'm happy to see an older movie get the love it deserves :)
The only version of a Christmas carol I watch and I watch it every year! Only complaint is that the DVD removed my favourite song. They said Disney+ put it back in so I tried watching it there last year, but the song was still gone, Belle's song when they end their engagement. it's weird how well the muppets work in movies like this or Treasure Island, movies based on classic books, but they somehow work so well. I used to love their version of I think it was the Frog Prince?
my DVD version has the song I know, though now that I think about it, I don't think its in the movie proper but available as an extra. I think? I didn't watch it this year yet, though I may try to entice my niece and nephew to watch it with me on Christmas Eve :)
I think all of the Linger(tm) youre referring to was in a song they cut, which its highly likely the version you saw didnt have. You should look kt up on youtube. When Scrooge visits Belle, theres a song “the love is gone” that explains scrooges descent . They cut it out cuz it was “too sad”. But it hits that emotional beat you say is missing. And its mirrored/reflected in the final somg, “the love weve found”, which is the same tune with different, happier words.
This was a great analysis though. I think youre right that an emotional beat needs time to absorb, and moving on too fast detracts from it. This is a great note for writers as much as film makers!
Au contraire, it was the 20th anniversary edition I got from the library and it did have that song. I did not particularly like that song though ‘cause, well, I didn’t like it. And maybe it’s just me, but singing about an emotion that you have no background for doesn’t hit the same as seeing the reason for the emotion. So I think they could’ve left that song out and instead have, like, a montage of them meeting, liking each other, and then drifting away, which ends in the breakup. There’s probably a better way to do it, but that’s just my initial idea.
Glad you liked the analysis though!
I watch this movie every year on Christmas Eve with my family. As a kid I thought it was funny, as a teen I thought the songs were really catchy and cleverly written, and now as an adult I think both of these things PLUS it’s deeply beautiful and moving. You covered it very well here! I also read the book, but I didn’t mind that they skimmed over things in the movie. The emotional heft is still here (especially if you watch the theatrical version with Belle’s song not cut out). All in all, a classic!
I love it when you can watch the same movie at different points in your life and get something new out of it each time.
I like this movie! It was nice.
Back in the day, I declined a chance to see this movie because I thought it would be too childish. Then I heard it was actually pretty good and regretted it! Saw it later on VHS though.
Ahh, the good old days of VHS. I might still have my VHS copy of Muppet Treasure Island.
Well it's cute. Especially the cheese chunk bit. And, mercifully, obnoxious Miss Piggy had a minor role. But my favorite of this oft-remade movie is the 1951 version with Alastair Sim. No one does geezer giddy like he did.
Your lingering™ insight is well noted. Scoot is right. It's a good tip for everyone. Another great review. Thanks.
I know I saw an older version of it, but I don’t know if it was that one. Maybe I’ll check it out. Thanks for reading my stuff!
I didn't catch Muppets Christmas Carol when it came out either, but discovered it in the 00's and loved it - its my second favorite adaptation behind Patrick Stewart's version done for TNT years ago.
I also find it very interesting how much talk that movie is getting this year. It seems a whole new audience has discovered Muppets Christmas Carol this year and are loving it. I see so many reviews and first time watches on Youtube and have seen articles popping up on Substack. I'm happy to see an older movie get the love it deserves :)
I think more and more people are going back to older movies and books since the new stuff just isn’t working anymore.
Thanks for reading my review!
The only version of a Christmas carol I watch and I watch it every year! Only complaint is that the DVD removed my favourite song. They said Disney+ put it back in so I tried watching it there last year, but the song was still gone, Belle's song when they end their engagement. it's weird how well the muppets work in movies like this or Treasure Island, movies based on classic books, but they somehow work so well. I used to love their version of I think it was the Frog Prince?
my DVD version has the song I know, though now that I think about it, I don't think its in the movie proper but available as an extra. I think? I didn't watch it this year yet, though I may try to entice my niece and nephew to watch it with me on Christmas Eve :)
It is such a great Christmas movie! I know the 20th anniversary edition of the movie has that song, if you’re interested in getting another copy.