With Michael Caine as Scrooge, Kermit and Miss Piggy as the Cratchits and Gonzo as Dickens, this is quite simply corking Christmas entertainment.
Although the story has been Muppetised (with Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, the owner of a rubber chicken factory), no attempt has been made to water down the story, and the poignancy of the moral tale is as affecting as ever.
Caine hadn’t been this good in years, and his scenes with those hecklers supreme Statler and Waldorf, as the Marley brothers, are the highlight of the film.
Paul Williams’s songs are a bit hit ‘n’ miss, but who cares when you’re having such a good time?
Scrooge
Michael Caine Bob Cratchit (Kermit)/Rizzo/Beaker/Bean Bunny/Belinda Cratchit
Steve Whitmire Emily Cratchit (Miss Piggy)/Sam Eagle/Animal/Fozziwig (Fozzie Bear)
Frank Oz Charles Dickens (The Great Gonzo)/Bunsen Honeydew/Waldorf/Zoot/Betina Cratchit
Dave Goelz Peter Cratchit/Swedish Chef/Old Joe
David Rudman Statler/Floyd/Ma Bear/Tiny Tim/The Ghost of Christmas Present
Jerry Nelson Ghost of Christmas Present
Donald Austen Fred
Steven Mackintosh Clara
Robin Weaver Belle
Meredith Braun
Although the story has been Muppetised (with Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, the owner of a rubber chicken factory), no attempt has been made to water down the story, and the poignancy of the moral tale is as affecting as ever.
