Published by Mason Oldridge, 5 December 2022
CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds star in Apple TV’s comedy musical based upon A Christmas Carol.
In the present day, Jacob Marley runs a company redeeming souls with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come. Present (Ferrell) convinces Marley to choose Clint Briggs (Reynolds), a cruel and heartless businessman, as their next soul to redeem as Present believes he could make a positive change to mankind. Marley initially rejects the proposal as he is an “unredeemable” and they have only ever redeemed one of them before, though is eventually convinced.
The story sets off on what appears to be a pretty predictable path, with Present guiding Briggs through the process, providing a pleasant comedy duo. However, the plot actually takes a more layered approach as it is revealed Present is Ebeneezer Scrooge, the only unredeemable to have been redeemed, and is worried he can never be fully reformed. Briggs convinces Present to relapse with his rudeness, resulting in a particularly fun musical number in Victorian England. Despite this, it is seeing Present struggle with his morality that helps Briggs reform himself, with the pair growing fond of and supporting each other rather than a one-way redemption. Furthermore, Present retires to Earth to start a family like he had been dreaming of but not daring to pursue and Briggs, rather than living a new reformed life on Earth too, dies in a sacrifice to Present, and becomes the new Ghost of Christmas Present.
With the soundtrack composed by The Greatest Showman’s songwriting duo, the songs are strong and so are as enjoyable as can be to someone who doesn’t mind this form of interruption.
Spirited thrives off being distinguishable enough from the Dickens story to be a different tale in its own right, with praise deserved for its diversion from predictability and the onscreen chemistry between the two leads.
7/10