The last time Jim Carrey did a Christmas film we got The Grinch. This is better. Indeed, it is slightly better than better. Director and screenwriter Robert Zemeckis has given us a remarkably faithful retelling of the Charles Dickens classic. Zemeckis even keeps aspects of Dickens’ social commentary, representing the callousness of Victorian London as well as the famous humbuggery of its protagonist. Is this the first film version of A Christmas Carol not to shy away from the denunciations of the original author?

In this way, Zemeckis’ interpretation is more satisfying than the versions that have preceded it. But it doesn’t make a very jolly film. This is a A Christmas Carol for adults. While the first half-hour is a slow and ponderous affair, overall this is a stunning piece visually. Performance-capture animation and 3D may not be the future of cinema, but Zemeckis is a savant of the genre. More importantly, the visuals work perfectly. The book is populated with grotesques, and the Dickensian London Zemeckis has created would not look anywhere near as gloomy or threatening in live action.

When it comes to acting, there are good turns from Gary Oldman and Colin Firth among others. However, it is the performance of Jim Carrey that looms large. Playing both Scrooge and each ghost, he occasionally misses the spot, particularly as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Cast as Scrooge though, he curls his vowels with malicious delight. Ultimately, however, one does question the wisdom of using such an expressive actor like Jim Carrey in performance-capture. If nothing else, it’s a waste.

OK, this film is classic Hollywood: utterly commercial, cashing in on the Christmas pound complete with tedious tomfoolery, only present to keep the kids entertained. But Zemeckis has still managed to give us a film that’s well-crafted and detailed. More amazingly, however, it doesn’t have a saccharine Christmas spirit. It refuses to uplift the audience in the way that a festive film should. It’s too joyless, but maybe that’s the point.