Ebenezer

I am a HUGE Christmas fan, so I always look forward to hitting the theaters for the first new holiday film of the season. As a giant fan of Johnny Depp as well, I was excited to see his return to the big screen in EBENEZER.

The good news is that it's more fun and interesting than it is Bah Humbug, but it really shines when it carves out some new territory, something I wish it had done more often.

The film opens well, with Director Ti West (Widow's Bay, X) wrapping me in an early 80's Paramount logo that's served up in a style reminiscent of "Raiders of the Lost Ark"'s opening frames. The main titles splash in giant, Hammer film, 70's budget horror style and I was immediately intrigued.

It's safe to say that West serves up a take on the story we all know so well that's layered with more horror film elements than every other version I've seen, and I've seem 'em all.

It opens fresh with a first ever glimpse of Jacob Marley (Ian McKellen), business partner to Ebenezer Scrooge (Depp). Their London offices are dank, dark and they are too cheap to heat it, so poor junior accountant Boc Cratchit (Rupert Grint) shivers in the corner, hoping to take the next day, Christmas off.

McKellen is terrific in the role and it's fascinating how seeing a glimpse of Marley & Scrooge's relationship and Marley's death bring a hint of loneliness to Depp's portrayal.

We all know the story, so there's no need for me to relay it here, but let's talk about what really works in this new version.

First there's Johnny Depp. If, like me, you love the eccentricity of his performances like Captain Jack in the Pirates series, you're going to love his take on Scrooge. Depp gives a big, physical performance, but also delivers some great physical comedy and an endless array of hilarious reactions to the action around him.

I've seen some reviews that seem to come in with a giant chip on their shoulders around Depp and his off screen trials and tribulations. I could care less. I'm looking at the film as a film buff and a fan of his. For me, Depp can take the weird meter way too far off the charts. His Willy Wonka portrayal still haunts. LOL

Here, Depp is challenged to create a fresh take on a character in classic literature that's already been played by everyone from Albert Finney and Alastair Sim to Jim Carrey and Mr. Magoo. We've got a wide range of performances already in the books.

Depp finds just the right blend of fun, mean and genuine remorse to play Scrooge. Some of the supporting cast is great, starting with Grint (Harry Potter) as Cratchit and Charlie Murphy (Peaky Blinders) as Bob's wife, Emily.

The visiting ghosts are all superbly cast.

Andrea Riseborough (Birdman, Oblivion) is the scariest Ghost of Christmas Past ever, impossibly pale and translucent as she whisks Scrooge back to his youth.

Arthur Conti (so great as Billy Nolan in Mike Flanagan's new "Carrie" miniseries) shines as the young Ebenezer, unspoiled by greed but starting to take that path.

Tramell Tillman (Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning) damn near steals the entire movie as The Ghost of Christmas Present. He's got amazing presence and gravitas from the start and his performance grows better and better as his time with Scrooge winds down.

Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) is very good as Scrooge's nephew Fred, who is the exact opposite of his Uncle in every way possible. Daisy Ridley (Star Wars) plays Fred's wife Clara with real heart and more than a bit of humor.

The film drags a bit in the middle, due to the familiarity of the story in all its versions. Just when I would begin to drift into "Did they really need to remake this again?" territory, Depp's performance, Tyler Bates film score with its classic holiday feel or giant Hammer Film style Film style Chapter breaks would fill the entire screen with "Stave One: Marley's Ghost" using Dickens exact chapter headings from his 1843 novella.

EBENEZER saves the best for last, a truly heartwarming, fleshed out ending that's sure to melt even the biggest Scrooge's hearts at the multiplex. I'll give it a B-, behind my favorite take on Dickens story, the 1970 musical version with Albert Finney and the classic 2022 spinoff "Spirited".

Depp and West even manage to sneak in a great laugh around the dangers of saying "Good Day" in Victorian England that fans of the song "Good Afternoon" in "Spirited" will love.

Fans of Depp's screen debut in 1984's "Nightmare on Elm Street" will also enjoy a hilarious easter egg that's front and center.

Ho Ho Ho, off to the 2026 holiday season at the movies we go!