10 Reasons Why The Muppet Christmas Carol Is The Best Christmas Movie
2. Michael Caine
Such is the colourful, wonderful contribution of the Muppets in bringing A Christmas Carol to life, it is easy to overlook the effort of the main human actor.
Michael Caine is a near perfect Scrooge. His humbug nature and callousness gives way to Caine's innate charm and charisma as his heart - reluctantly but assuredly - is melted by a newfound love of Christmas.
The veteran actor handles the transformation from wicked old git to kind-hearted philanthropist with naturalism and the odd dose of forced wit, at total ease with the puppet shenanigans ensuing all around him. Caine keeps Scrooge grounded and delivers an increasingly affecting turn as an old man plagued by bad memories and an icy heart.
It doesn't matter what Scrooge is feeling - be it great sadness, a particularly wicked streak, or a rare moment of joy - Caine seems born to play this role. Even the singing is tackled with great aplomb and joy, and this is the kind of performance that will always feel like a crucial part of your festive season. So say "Bah! Humbug" to any Christmas that goes without the British actor's timeless take on one of literature's most famous characters.