(Photo courtesy of Google Images)

WARRENSBURG, Mo.--In the realm of Christmas movies, few can be remade successfully. Throughout the years, there have been things about Christmas stories which have grown tiresome and overused to viewers.

Perhaps one of the most difficult stories for anyone to recreate is Charles Dickens' classic, "A Christmas Carol." This time-honored story has reached its pinnacle of remakes. Over the years, there have been so many incarnations of the story, that trying to craft a new one is a risky move, to say the least.

However, Robert Zemeckis, the wonderful mind behind such movies as "Forrest Gump," "The Polar Express," and "Back to the Future," decided that this was just the movie that he wanted to do.

Fortunately for Zemeckis, he was just the man to do the film. Together with ImageMovers Digital, his CGI and performance capture company, he created a look for this classic tale that is absolutely breathtaking.

The movie itself looks amazing and, together with a score produced by Alan Silvertri, the wonderful composer from "The Polar Express," most moviegoers will find no objections with the overall experience of this film. Zemickis has created a moving storybook, something that is stimulating to all of the senses.

The story of "A Christmas Carol" is one that has been handed down through generations. Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey), a miserly old man, is given the chance to change his ways when he is visited by three spirits: the Ghost of Christmas Past (Carrey), the Ghost of Christmas Present (Carrey), and the Ghost of Christmas Future (Carrey). These three spirits attempt to show him the error of his ways and change him into a giving man for the remainder of his days.

The cast of voice actors gave it their all in this movie, and it paid off in spades. Carrey, who is not only the voice of Scrooge, but also each of the ghosts, gave quite possibly one of the best performances of his entire life. He beautifully throws himself into each role, often blurring the lines between characters-- to the point where you can’t even tell that it is him anymore. The same is said for Gary Oldman, whose role as Bob Cratchit is riveting; there is no shortage of talent here.

The issue that arises is not one of style or acting, it is in the story itself. Although he stuck very closely to the original feel of the tale, Zemeckis gutted the overall effect. In focusing predominantly on the vast and beautiful effects, he overlooked key parts of what made the original story and the lessons that it had to teach.

Scrooge's relationship with Belle is a passing event and amounts to nothing more than an afterthought. Also, the interaction with Bob Cratchit is downplayed to the point that his role is merely secondary, not even fulfilling his full purpose.

We essentially see half of the story here, which was covered up with flashy, yet remarkable graphic effects. Although there is enough in the story to create some of the essence that we all love, there isn’t enough meat to completely finish the thought.

"A Christmas Carol" truly is a stunning and remarkable movie. The film's look, sound and acting lend it to become a masterpiece, so much so that Dickens would be proud. The story, however, fails in comparison to the great classic and to keeping viewers abreast of everything occurring on the screen.

This movie had the makings, and almost everything, to make it a masterpiece. However, its story keeps it from completely getting there. A dazzling 3.5 out of 5.