Scrooged

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: November 23, 1988

7.9	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 119 Ratings

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DavidG.Aug 21, 2009

A 38 rating? Seriously? This is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. For the first half of the film, the jokes are fast, sharp, and timeless. It's dark humor at its best, and Bill Murray's best role by a landslide. The A 38 rating? Seriously? This is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. For the first half of the film, the jokes are fast, sharp, and timeless. It's dark humor at its best, and Bill Murray's best role by a landslide. The critics were out of their damned minds.… Expand

5 of 5 users found this helpful

RonnyGJan 28, 2009

This is a Christmas classic. For the millionth time, this only proves that Critics stick their noses so high in the air, they can't even watch the movies the review. I never have, nor never will, have ANY respect for movie Critics. Some This is a Christmas classic. For the millionth time, this only proves that Critics stick their noses so high in the air, they can't even watch the movies the review. I never have, nor never will, have ANY respect for movie Critics. Some of the best movies get the worst reviews, all because the Critics are too busy receiving bribes to give horrible movies great reviews, and great movies horrible reviews. They also lack the ability to say WHY it's a bad movie. New York Times and Los Angeles Times = Epic Fail.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful

mcduckJun 6, 2014

Exceeded expectations, especially given the middling reviews and cheesy trailer. Solid Christmas flick, even though I watched it over the summer. It's hard to say what makes a movie good, but it works. It's not hilariously funny, and youExceeded expectations, especially given the middling reviews and cheesy trailer. Solid Christmas flick, even though I watched it over the summer. It's hard to say what makes a movie good, but it works. It's not hilariously funny, and you shouldn't go into it looking for belly laughs, but it does make you smile and give you a few feels along the way.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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BenKMay 3, 2009

Simply awesome. Fun. Critics expect too much and find too little.

2 of 2 users found this helpful

DylanP.Dec 6, 2007

What were the reviewers smoking? Scrooged is one of the true modern Christmas classics. Bill Murray is pitch-perfect as Frank Cross--nasty and Scrooge-like while still charming and hilarious. Great cameos from everyone from Brian Doyle What were the reviewers smoking? Scrooged is one of the true modern Christmas classics. Bill Murray is pitch-perfect as Frank Cross--nasty and Scrooge-like while still charming and hilarious. Great cameos from everyone from Brian Doyle Murray to Lee Majors to Bobcat Goldwait, and a genuine emotional ending make this one to watch every year.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

kuliddarDec 13, 2016

Disconnected so called "critics"who just didn't get it. This movie has become a classic as one of the best Xmas films of all time. Has become a must during the holidays.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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ERG1008Sep 3, 2010

Late 80s version of A Christmas Carol with Bill Murray as the President of a TV network.
Not as good as some of Murray's other stuff but certainly some funny moments here & there.
I'd also forgot how awful that Annie Lennox/Al Green song was.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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Kai82Oct 3, 2021

One of the essential Christmas movies, a great reimagination of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” in modern times with an amazing Bill Murray. I never understood the critics here that hated the movie with passion. They were not that muchOne of the essential Christmas movies, a great reimagination of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” in modern times with an amazing Bill Murray. I never understood the critics here that hated the movie with passion. They were not that much out of touch back then as today.” A Christmas Carol” is one of them most famous works of Charles Dickens and tells the story of the old and cold or lets say life hardened Ebenezer Scrooge and his self discovery journey on Christmas where he is visited by ghosts of past, present and future Christmas. It is a timeless classic, creative and something critics and casual readers will praise together. Instead of playing it safe with a normal adaption they transferred the setting to modern times. Story: Frank Cross is on the top of the world. He is president of IBC Television and pretty ruthless. For Christmas he wants to make big money with a live adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” and even his commercial idea is really messed up. He did not know that he will have a bigger part in this as he will be visited by the ghost of past, present and future Christmas. I truly love this story. It is so hard to screw this up with additions to a classic story and you see how “modernizing” ruined many modern movies, series and characters. Here it works. We get the classics of the old story, a modern take that works well and of cause Bill Murray who positively exceeds at being Bill Murray. Characters: Bill Murray as Frank Cross is awesome and his performance alone is worth watching the movie. Of cause the ghost of Christmas past, present and future with Carol Kane, David Johansen and Robert Hammod. All are amazing and nail their roles. They leave an impact and are truly rememberable. Karen Allen as Claire Phillips is excellent to and I wished she had more screentime. The rest of the cast enhance the movie too and I see no missteps. Visually I say the effects, costumes and make up work well. For make up they were nominated for the Oscars to give some perspective. They made again no missteps here in this category. I nearly forgot the music which would be a shame. It is so sneakingly good that you do not notice how much it enhances the atmosphere. It you pay attention you will recognize a real good soundtrack. Lastly I want to praise director Richard Donner for this movie too. Overall I repeat this is a Christmas classic and if it has not nostalgic value it will certainly get it sooner or later. An easy 10/10.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DawdlingPoetNov 20, 2021

I'd like to start off by saying that I've always enjoyed Bill Murray movies, since I was a kid and saw him in the Ghostbusters movies and then Groundhog Day, which is one of my favourite movies of all time, plus I enjoyed his appearances inI'd like to start off by saying that I've always enjoyed Bill Murray movies, since I was a kid and saw him in the Ghostbusters movies and then Groundhog Day, which is one of my favourite movies of all time, plus I enjoyed his appearances in Wes Anderons movies and in movies such as Broken Flowers. However, I realised that I'd never seen this movie (that dates from the late 80s!), so I was more than happy when I learnt that it was being shown on TV on Christmas day and it didn't disappoint.

Bill plays Frank with his usual over the top, sarcastic and even biting personality showing through and I think he was a great choice of actor to play Frank, seeming very convincing to me, as his character, somebody you have to love to hate.

The special effects used are pretty imaginative and they do add to the movie, though of course they are rather dated but as this movie is 20 years old, thats to be expected. I still jumped a bit when the first ghost appeared though, who made a rather over the top appearance causing quite a scene that took both Frank and I by surprise! another memorable scene with special effects would be when Frank discovered something rather ghoulish about a presumed actor in the elevator, near the end of the movie.
It is quite funny in parts too, I did laugh out loud at some scenes. I think the humour comes from its absurdity, how the ghosts appear and some of the situations Frank finds himself in.

If there's anything much negative to be said, its that it could be seen as somewhat predictable, particularly at the end, though being based on the classic 'A Christmas Carol', you should expect that too I suppose. Also, of course, if your not too keen on Bill Murray then this isn't for you, as he is quite over the top in this role.

Yes I think its worth watching, I know I enjoyed it and found it funny and entertaining, even though its twenty years old. Bill plays his part well, fans of his will no doubt enjoy, or more by now have enjoyed, this and its interesting to see how its played out, the concept of a twentieth century Ebeneezer Scrooge being visited by the three ghosts. There are some pretty 'interesting' characters which liven it up and the effects used aren't bad for its age either, it is fairly inventive in its own way (I know how can it be inventive and predictable, the predictablity comes from the fact that the basic story behind it is so well known as a Dickens classic though of course), so I'd gladly recommend it and say its worth watching if your interested in it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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GeraldSprayJan 26, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's refreshing to watch a Christmas movie not on the basis of tradition, but on the basis of actually wanting to see it! The reason that this movie got lukewarm reviews is the same reason I like it - because it deviates from the standard holiday formula. Although I admit that Bill Murray looks uncomfortable when he ad-libs his dialogue, he also delivers lines that highlight his career as a comedy actor. Not enough credit goes to the direction, with creepy visuals and a whimsical score by Danny Elfman. The ending is easily the weakest part of the film, with a wacky alcoholic going on a shotgun rampage. As nonsensical as some of its choices are, the fact that "Scrooged" takes risks makes it one of the most memorable holiday films.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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