Believe it or not, “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is perhaps the best Christmas movie ever made. It achieves all the goals that every Christmas movie aims at: it entertains, it relates to us on a human level and it truly puts the viewer in the Christmas spirit. I intend to prove each one of those points.

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I don't care what anyone says – the Muppets are not only for children! There is so much for adults to enjoy with this crazy bunch, and “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is quality entertainment for everyone, be you nine or 90.

Charles Dickens' classic novel was an interesting choice for a Muppet movie. After all, there have been several iterations put on film throughout the years. Though it is a classic tale, one of importance, hasn't it perhaps been overdone? You might think so, but the truth is that Brian Henson and the Muppets breathe new life into this old tale using their unique style. For one thing, very few humans inhabit this version of the story. For another thing, the Muppet version perfectly blends humor with the more serious, dramatic bits.

Michael Caine gives my favorite portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge ever put on screen. One of the reasons I love his performance so much is because he took it so seriously. Caine had said to director Brian Henson, “I’m going to play this movie like I’m working with the Royal Shakespeare Company. I will never wink, I will never do anything Muppety. I am going to play Scrooge as if it is an utterly dramatic role and there are no puppets around me.” That is one of the things that really makes this film stand out – though it has comedic elements, the story itself is done seriously. It isn't overly-silly as some might expect from a Muppet movie, though the comedy is superb as well.

It was a real stroke of inspiration for the film-makers to put Gonzo the Great in the role of Charles Dickens narrating throughout the movie. He is accompanied by Rizzo the Rat, and the pair are the comedic stars of the film. Kermit the Frog plays Scrooge's loyal book-keeper Bob Cratchit and is the one trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive (but more on that in a little bit).

Although initially the film-makers wanted to use other established Muppets as the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, they ultimately decided to create new characters to fit these roles. This was a good move because it added something special and more real to the situation Scrooge was in with each of the spirits.

And just as you'd expect in a Muppet movie, the music doesn't disappoint. Paul Williams really outdid himself with songs like “One More Sleep 'Til Christmas” and “When Love Is Gone.” All the songs are memorable and tug on our heartstrings.

Pulling at the Heartstrings

“The Muppet Christmas Carol” works because at its core is a tale of morality that all people can relate to. It is more than another Muppet movie – it is an honest-to-goodness dramatic experience.

As I said earlier, Michael Caine is absolutely superb as Scrooge. As the movie begins and we are introduced to his character, you really feel a strong dislike toward the man. He plays greed and selfishness well, and though we dislike him we can relate to him. We can't help but wonder 'what made this man this way?' As we take the journey with him to his past, we get a glimpse of the promise he once had. We see him fall in love and we root for that love to blossom. Our hearts then break as we see his love of money overpower his love for other people. When Belle, Scrooge's fiance, sings “When Love Is Gone” it's like an arrow pierces my heart.

When the Ghost of Christmas Present arrives and shows Scrooge everyone around him enjoying Christmas like he never has, you really see him change as a hunger for love and human fellowship grows in his eyes. You start to feel more for this man. It really gets to you when he starts to see how he has been mistreating his employees, in particular Bob Cratchit. When sick Tiny Tim is seen for the first time, the pain can be seen in Scrooge's eyes has this revelation hits him.

And then when the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come arrives, we can't help but share that intense fear Scrooge endures when he realizes what the consequences of his life choices could possibly be. Luckily, things do change for the better.

Putting Us in the Christmas Spirit

Just when Scrooge is at his lowest, he experiences a change. His penitent heart is full to overflowing, and he vows not to waste anymore of his life on being a cold-hearted miser. He happily greets those he had mistreated, and goes so far as to bestow a magnificent feast and a pay raise to Cratchit. The ending of the film gushes forth with unconditional brotherly love that sends tingles down my spine every single time I watch the movie. And where we were saddened by “When Love Is Gone,” we get the finale “The Love We've Found.” It may be cheesy and unrealistic to some, but it gives me hope and puts me in the Christmas spirit.

Everything that this movie is comes together seamlessly to give us one of the greatest Christmas classics of the ages.