Spirited (2022) Review

A new take on the classic Charles Dickens story A Christmas Carol, with plenty of magic and big musical numbers to go with it! When Clint Briggs is labelled as unredeemable ‘Present’ feels though that is wrong and sets out to prove he is redeemable after all.

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A Christmas Carol and the story of Scrooge is one that has been done so many times and in many different ways. This version attempts to go in a slightly different direction in terms of big productions being done with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future with the planning taking most of the year and it feeling like a TV studio. With Present and Marley being in charge of the set up and Clint Briggs being the next target for a story.

In his real world Clint Briggs does not have many friends and does not spend time with his family, despite the death of his sister and a young niece who wants nothing more than to spend time with him he pushes that all aside to be a ruthless business man. He does not treat his employees in the best manner and Kimberly his assistant has tried to get him to be a better man. She is actually concerned with how bitter he has become and that it is not healthy to be so miserable and alone.

Not only do we get Clint’s story though but as the ghosts begin to appear for him and that being Present, we find out that he was the original Scrooge and he had then been doing it all for so many years. If he ever decided to take retirement then he could become human again and actually have a life again on earth. Although that is something that really scares him as he no longer knows how to do that, especially with all of the changes over the years.

Obviously I love musicals and musical numbers so the fact we have plenty of singing and dancing at times in this film I found to be an utter joy. Having Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, along with Octavia Spencer breaking out into song was something I did not realise I needed in my life. I know the musical numbers won’t be for everyone but I just see that as being boring because musicals bring out happiness and that is what this film does in abundance.

Ryan Reynolds is just great and has really become one of my true darlings in terms of loving to watch his latest films and performances regardless of the genre and style. Despite his character being so selfish you know the development will eventually happen, I mean come on it’s A Christmas Carol of course it will happen right? Will Ferrell is also such a joy and he has a great naive presence in this film as well. Having Octavia Spencer in a supporting role alongside them really worked out very well, as letletss face it she is one of the best around.

An Apple Original Film which certainly hits all of the right Christmas film notes and I think this is a very good one!