Spirited: A Festive Treat with a Modern Twist
Spirited is a spin on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with Clint Briggs portrayed morbidly comic by Ryan Reynolds; asking the Ghost of Christmas Present Will Ferrell questions on the meaning of life with spectacular musical numbers. It combines jokes with really emotional scenes and toys with the viewer’s emotions, making an audience laugh and believe in people at the end of the day. There are humorous underpinnings with some grim moments with themes hinging between comedy and drama.
Both Ferrell and Reynolds do a good job, although Ferrell really shines when portraying Ghost of Christmas Present. Octavia Spencer brings the much-needed emotion to the big screen as Kimberly – a character with roots in reality does.
Writer-director Sean Anders gives a happy spin to the movie. His perspective stays light-hearted and keeps the story moving at regular mundane based pacing while making sure to retain elements of both the magical fantasy and warm homely relationships.
Packed with music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the musical feel of the film is alive and energetic and adds to the festive tone of the film. Music is important to the movie and fun at the same time, as each song relates to the movie’s agenda in one way or the other.
Cinematography of New York City similarly gives the fantastical feel of the movie to enhance the overall prospect. Bright color scheme matches the topic of the musical correctly.
The production design of the contemporary musical with the clear references to the classic through the sets showing both the city and the magical world of the Christmas spirits is coated perfectly.
There are no any doubts that the special effects used in the film create the atmosphere of the magical journey. Special effects, as are used here, do not dominate the picture but enhance the plot instead.
The tempo of the picture is successfully sustained so that many musical numbers and dramatic turns do not interfere with each other.
The film feels rather lively; characters deliver their wits in the quick-pitched dialogues and magical musical sequences. Laughter is provided with such intelligence that sets it apart as a modern take on the whole Chrismith concept.
In terms of entertainment, Spirited Again may not fully resonate with the traditionalist crowd nonplussed by Hamilton’s take on the musical approach to the Christmasthemed film. Though it is rather a novelty in comparison with myriad of existing adaptations. Warm-hearted and humorous, it is one of the best holiday movies that incorporate entertainment and a more philosophical message with the story of conversion.
