Maxine's Christmas Carol 92000), Featuring the Voice of Tress MacNeille as Maxine: Review by William Mortensen Vaughan

Title:  Maxine's Christmas Carol

 

At left: (L-R) Maxine look-alike and William Mortensen Vaughan, I.V.O. Tun Tavern, Atlantic City, New Jersey, September, 2019 (photo by Libertad Green)

 

Adaptation:  Featuring the voice of Tress MacNeille as Maxine, "the Scrooge"

Dates and Places of Earliest Release:  

TUE, 12 SEP 2000 U.S.A.

 

My Rating:  ****

Format Reviewed:  animated film, on VHS

 

Runtime:  30 minutes

 

Availability:  

As of February 20, 2021, copies of this film, in the form of a hard copy book, are available, online, for approximately $10 U.S. Dollars.

Is this adaptation reverent? 

No, this adaptation in not particularly reverent!

Does this adaptation mention "God" or "Christ"?  No.

 

Does this adaptation include the phrase "God bless us...?"  No.

What does my wife think of this adaptation?
She thinks it's odd but funny.

Where and when does this adaptation take place?

A small town in 1999.

 
What language and/or dialects are used?  

American English

How closely does this adaptation follow the original novel, by Charles Dickens?

This adaptation does not follow the original novel very closely.  A boy named Billy invites Maxine to Christmas dinner and a party at his house, but Maxine, a crabby, elderly lady, declines the invitation.  After Christmas shopping and pulling a few pranks, she settles down in her home to watch television on Christmas Eve, and to eat microwaved burritos on stick with her dog, Floyd.  She doses off, but is awakened by the ghost of Marlene, an office manager she used to work with.  Then she is visited by Tiffani, a valley girl, who plays the role of Christmas Past; then, a new age guru on a magic carpet; and, finally, three extraterrestrials in a spaceship/time machine who take her to 2025, to show her how much Billy will hate Christmas if she doesn't go to his Christmas party.  They drop her off at Billy's in time for his Christmas party, where she and the boy exchange gifts.  Then Maxine leaves, promising viewers she will remain crabby the rest of the year, right before she throws a snowball at the "camera"!

Is this adaptation a prequel or a sequel?  No.

Is this adaptation supernatural? 

Yes, this film features ghosts, and time travel, as well as extra-terrestrials.

Is this adaptation "framed"?  No.

Is this adaptation a musical?  No.

 

What songs and/or dances are included?  

Music by Jim Latham... Music does not seem to be the focus of this adaptation, although the opening scene is accompanied by a vocal version of "Jingle Bell Rock"; a monster truck is featured with a set of horns that plays an instrumental version of "Deck the Halls"; several elderly ladies sing "Deck the Halls" in exchange for donations; and the final credits roll through an instrumental version of "Good King Wenceslas." 

How attractive and effective is the visual art?  

The art is adequate.

How creative and intense are the transitions, especially when "the Scrooge" is taken from one time and/or place to another?

The transitions are adequate.

 

What aerial and/or nap-of-the-earth footage is included?  N/A  

 

What use is made of background extras?  

Adequate use of animated background extras is made, at Billy's Christmas party, and in the streets, for examples.

What is the most remarkable thing about this adaptation? 

This is perhaps the funniest and most sarcastic adaptation of A Christmas Carol I've ever seen.
 
What bonus material is included on the tape or DVD? 

My copy of this adaptation is on VHS, but it has a behind the scenes featurette after the feature, starring Maxine creator John Wagner and his mother, upon whom he based the comic strip character, Maxine.