Charles Dickens classic tale is given the Robert Zemeckis treatment in the visually impressive, yet narratively dull A Christmas Carol.

In his third consecutive motion caption outing, Zemeckis has once again opted to adapt a time honoured classic into a computer generated 3D spectacle.

Joining him on this outing is Jim Carrey as the repugnant Scrooge, adopting a thick English accent in his portrayal of a truly vile figure, who cannot even cough up two coins to cover his best friend’s funeral.

In a bid to shake him from his cold hearted demeanour, three ghosts (all played by Carrey) visit Scrooge on Christmas Eve, offering the greedy old man a chance at redemption.

With no limit as to where he can take Dicken’s tale visually, Zemeckis has opted to blend ultra-realistic imagery (right down to Scrooge’s wrinkles) with visually fantastic fantasy.

Yet while there is innovation to be had in its visuals, story wise this is just another faithful retelling of Dickens’ secular ode to the holidays, filled to the brim with Christian compassion and morale, and littered with Dickens never subtle political commentary.

Furthermore, this is a film which does not know which audience it is catering to. Its marketing screams kids movie, but the film is much too politically serious and grotesque in its supernatural elements for any child to sit through.

Indeed, the story of a cantankerous old man who is forced to face his morality and mortality through supernatural means, has been adapted so many times one would hope that Zemeckis could bring something new to the table, besides 3D glasses.

Yet Zemeckis seems to believe that a classic story retold through a technologically advanced cinematic medium, is more than enough to differentiate this Christmas Carol form others before it. Humbug!

Granted, Zemeckis’ cinematic approach does offer some visual delights. But, just like a new cover version of a classic song, A Christmas Carol is all crisp technology, same ol’ structure, and a lot of spirit as substitute for a lack of soul.