1st Place, Review
2022-23, Division 2, News Writing
By Delaney Cram
Occidentalist
Traverse City West Senior HS
It was 179 years ago when Charles Dickens published “A Christmas Carol,” a novella that would remain in the Christmas canon for years to come, the muse of countless adaptations with each passing season. While 2022’s “Spirited” is adapted from this beloved story, it takes a very different perspective than other adaptations of the classic ghost story. “Spirited” is unique in that it focuses more on the personal lives of the Ghosts of Christmas Past (played by Sunita Mani), Present (played by Will Ferrell), and Yet to Come (played by Tracy Morgan). In the original story, and subsequent films that have been inspired by it, the ghosts are often nothing more than agents to emphasize the bleak and selfish life led by Scrooge. Yet, in “Spirited,” the Ghosts, particularly the Ghost of Christmas Present, are just as much a dynamic character as Clint Briggs (played by Ryan Reynolds), the cynic being pursued by the Ghosts throughout the film.
Going into this film, I was, admittedly, exasperated at the prospect of yet another remake of a classic story. The Christmas season movies just never seem to have any unique storylines anymore, always drawing inspiration from the same traditions and cliches. “Spirited” at least was drawing off of something other than the usual Santa Claus and North Pole routine, but it was still something I felt had been done before, much the same
and too often to be entertaining, no matter how they try to change the story through modernization.
And yet, I am notorious for liking films I expect to hate, and this time was no different. I suppose this adaptation was redeemed in my eyes from being just another Dickens variation because of its unique perspective on the story, told more through the eyes of the Ghosts than Briggs. The plot line of the Ghost of Christmas Present was particularly engaging since it connected back to the original “Christmas Carol” with Ebenezer Scrooge. The film actually confronted some interesting questions about what it means to be redeemed, whether or not someone can actually change in one night and even how economically possible it would be for them to do so. Being based off of the story that it is, it seems a given that it is about second chances, but rather than characters blindly welcoming these chances, they question whether or not they deserve them, and the audience even wonders this alongside them.
Of course, it isn’t all serious philosophies and grave consequences. The movie is obviously wildly comedic and entertaining, given that it stars Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. It’s also a musical, with songs of the typical show tune style, which I found absolutely perfect in terms of storytelling and entertainment, although I understand that not everyone can share my love of musicals.
In terms of musicals, I would say “Spirited” definitely hit the mark. It isn’t a mere compilation of songs like “Hamilton,” but the 11 songs that do appear (there is a 12th cut song played during the credits) are written and performed with as much heart and spirit as can be hoped from any musical, especially a Christmas one. In other words, the film didn’t forget that it was a musical and try to wedge in a song part way through. Instead, every song seems both important to the storyline and an enhancement of the film’s excitement and mood. It’s a story about ghosts that find their purpose for existing in helping people find their humanity, so the mood of the music fittingly encaptures that joy and yearning. Just listening to the soundtrack for this movie alone is definitely the perfect media to reach for to get into the Christmas spirit, although I would
of course recommend seeing the entire film. “Spirited” came to theaters on Nov. 11 and has been available for streaming on Apple TV+ since Nov. 18.
NW-08. Review
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