Empire's Scrooged Movie Review

Scrooged
Bill Murray back amongst ghosts

Plot
Frank Cross doesn't really get Christmas, and doesn't see why anyone else should unless there's an opportunity to up the ratings of his TV channel. So visits three Dickensian ghosts who teach him a thing or two about seasonal spirit.

Review
Slick and cynical update of the Dickens' classic, funny only so long as Bill Murray's venal TV network president is being a complete bastard. The opening machine-gun attack on Santa's elvin workshop is a hoot but the brotherly love ending is embarrassingly beyond even Bill's capabilities.

David Johansen's Yellow Cab spook is a bonus, though any film that so completely wastes Robert Mitchum can't really be all that good.

Verdict

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Average user rating for Scrooged

RE:
Scrooged (1988) I can't believe this was made in 88! my god that's a long time ago and I remember when it came out haha!. We all know the plot here I should think, the classic Dickens tale revamped and 'modified' for the modern era...well the 80's. Straight of the bat this is a classic film based around a classic tale. Like the 'Muppet Christmas Carol' its one of the best versions of Dickens fable around and really gets you in the Xmas spirit. I always loved the title for a start, su... More

Posted by Phubbs at 19:26, 12 December 2012 \| Report This Post




Hilarious and touching film, with a sharp quotable script and packed full of great performances by old- and new-school actors. Dickens' super-happy ending works wonderfully here and balances the film. ... More


Posted by bbX1138 at 09:08, 12 November 2011 \| Report This Post



Wonderful, uplifting Christmas movie
I used to love this film as a kid and caught it on Christmas day and it was every bit as good as I remember. It's verry witty, warming and uplifting and Bill Murray is on top form as the lovebale bastard. I love the whole exchange between him and his former boss, the ghost of x-mas present and the ghost of x-mas past. It's great example of the type of '80s screwball comedy that don't get made anymore. ... More


Posted by Workshed at 09:39, 05 January 2009 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
I love this movie. Specially the bit when he tells the prop guy to staple the antlers to the mouse...always thought that so mean (but the kind of schmucko attitude a TV exec would have)> Bill Murray is a genius...all we need now is a Chevy Chase revival and my work here is done. ... More

Posted by rupert303 at 18:33, 31 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
Hmm... I think the problem is that I don't really buy into the whole "oh it's just a silly comedy therefore none of the characters in it have to make any emotional sense." I mean, tonally this film isn't much different to Groundhog Day (with the 'It's A Wonderfil Life' scenario) but clearly Groudhog Day is more effective because Phil's motivations are nurtured far more diligently. The crux of the matter is that the last scene of the film wants us to engage with it emotionally. ... More

Posted by hatebox at 11:40, 31 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: hatebox L: Tech_Noir L: hatebox The main problem, as with so many of these kind of stories, is that Murray's eventual transformation isn't really believable and goes too far. Don't buy that. It's a screwball comedy, you can't expect deep character studies. That'd be all well and good if the film thought of itself as nothing more than a 'screwball comedy', but in the last scene it clearly tries (and fails) to be something a little more profound because w... More

Posted by Tech_Noir at 19:32, 29 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
Coulld'nt agree more about Scrooged, my favourite Christmas movie of them all. I reckon Karen Allen is hot in the movie (strange I know) Love National Lampoons as well and for some strange reason Christmas wont be the same without Uncle Buck and The Great Outdoors. ... More

Posted by HughesRoss at 18:55, 29 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: Tech_Noir L: hatebox The main problem, as with so many of these kind of stories, is that Murray's eventual transformation isn't really believable and goes too far. Don't buy that. It's a screwball comedy, you can't expect deep character studies. sp; That'd be all well and good if the film thought of itself as nothing more than a 'screwball comedy', but in the last scene it clearly tries (and fails) to be something a little more profound because we have no ... More

Posted by hatebox at 17:26, 29 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
Would you PLEASE, stop the god damn HAMMERING!!!!! (lol) there is no "I" in T.e.a.m! LOVE this fucking film. ... More

Posted by Geldart at 13:37, 29 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
Scrape them off Tech, If you want to save someone... save yourself. ... More

Posted by punchdrunk at 22:42, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: hatebox The main problem, as with so many of these kind of stories, is that Murray's eventual transformation isn't really believable and goes too far. sp; Don't buy that. It's a screwball comedy, you can't expect deep character studies. ... More

Posted by Tech_Noir at 22:20, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
It's got quite an effectively ominous atmospehre to it, but overall it's a wasted opportunity. The main problem, as with so many of these kind of stories, is that Murray's eventual transformation isn't really believable and goes too far. ... More

Posted by hatebox at 22:16, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
It's got quite an effectively ominous atmospehre to it, but overall it's a wasted opportunity. The main problem, as with so many of these kind of stories, is that Murray's eventual transformation isn't really believable and goes too far. ... More

Posted by hatebox at 22:15, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
Couldn't have done more damage to us... ... More

Posted by punchdrunk at 20:23, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: punchdrunk L: Kazuya L: Tech_Noir L: Kazuya Aww, take it easy, we're still friends, right?You're that rare person who likes James Cameron's urse we're good. 'mere you!ike Karen Allen in Scrooged, for the record. Good score too. s the first time I realised she was smoking a joint in the bath on the christmas day flash back/visit past. Seeing her bark like a dog is pretty hot in a bizzare kind of way.ote] Yeah me too, probably a good thing we didn't catch that whe... More

Posted by Kazuya at 17:50, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: Kazuya L: Tech_Noir L: Kazuya Aww, take it easy, we're still friends, right?You're that rare person who likes James Cameron's urse we're good. 'mere you!ike Karen Allen in Scrooged, for the record. Good score too. sp; This was the first time I realised she was smoking a joint in the bath on the christmas day flash back/visit to the past. Seeing her bark like a dog is pretty hot in a bizzare kind of way. ... More

Posted by punchdrunk at 17:42, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: Tech_Noir L: Kazuya Aww, take it easy, we're still friends, right?You're that rare person who likes James Cameron's urse we're good. 'mere you!ike Karen Allen in Scrooged, for the record. Good score too. ... More

Posted by Kazuya at 17:29, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: Kazuya L: DJ Rob C: Mark II! L: Kazuya and zero emotion. s the one movie to almost make me well up recently, I'll have to disagree there ell, you know what they say, nt strokes sp; ...was an overrated tv show? ... More

Posted by punchdrunk at 17:28, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: Kazuya Aww, take it easy, we're still friends, right?sp; You're that rare person who likes James Cameron's urse we're good. ... More

Posted by Tech_Noir at 17:27, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: Starscream Love this as well along with National Lampoons ChristmasVacation. Both are Films which I must watch every Christmas efinitely agree with Christmas Vacation, extremely funny. ... More

Posted by Kazuya at 17:24, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: DJ Rob C: Mark II! L: Kazuya and zero emotion. s the one movie to almost make me well up recently, I'll have to disagree there ell, you know what they say, different strokes... ... More

Posted by Kazuya at 17:22, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
Even though it was the censored version it was still great, my head filled in the blanks. It's almost a shame that he becomes nice at the end albiet at gunpoint.p; Bobcat is great as is the Ghost of Christmas Present psychotic fairy of groin kicking pain and blowing belly rasberries. ... More

Posted by punchdrunk at 17:21, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: Tech_Noir L: Kazuya And God, do I fucking hate Bobcat Goldthwait. Woah woah! I shall say good day to you Sir. Love this movie to death! Classic 80s comedy and always makes me feel good. Caught it on Christmas Day and glad I did. ww, take it easy, we're still friends, right? ... More

Posted by Kazuya at 17:20, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
Love this as well along with National Lampoons ChristmasVacation. Both are Films which I must watch every Christmas ... More

Posted by Starscream at 17:19, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



RE: Scrooged
L: Kazuya and zero emotion. s the one movie to almost make me well up recently, I'll have to disagree there ... More


Posted by DJ Rob C: Mark II! at 17:19, 28 December 2008 \| Report This Post



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ScroogedBill Murray back amongst ghosts

Scrooged
Bill Murray back amongst ghosts