Review: SPIRITED, Apple TV+

Photo credit: Apple TV+

You'd be forgiven for thinking that there's no possible way you can make an original A Christmas Carol based movie in 2022. There are already countless adaptations, featuring Muppets, Bill Murray, a traumatising CGI Jim Carrey, animation, live action, musicals... we even have at least five theatres performing versions of the play in London this winter alone! Yet somehow, along comes Apple TV+ to create something totally unique and utterly spectacular, starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell.

Told as a musical from the perspective of the ghosts, we find out that every year, a single person is selected to be haunted by Marley (Patrick Page), The Ghosts of Christmas Past (Sunita Mani), Christmas Present (Will Ferrell), and Christmas Future (Tracey Morgan), and be changed for the good of humanity. And now, 2022's target is Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds), deemed "UNREDEEMABLE". Can the ghosts convince him via a journey through his Past, Present and Future and many song and dance numbers that people are in fact capable of change?

This brilliantly creative Christmas tale has the potential to become a true classic. It's one of those projects where you can tell everyone was there because they wanted to be - every aspect of the production is executed to perfection with perfect knowledge of exactly what they are creating and a level of self-awareness, whilst also bringing immense joy to those watching. The world of the spirits is full and welcome as a concept.

Yes, it's quite predictable, but you know that and the writers do too! Who hasn't been told the story of A Christmas Carol? So, to make up for this, there are so many delightful twists and turns, especially in the story of Present. We won't spoil a thing... But maybe this film is in fact a sequel? The inclusion of Octavia Spencer's character also elevates this film beyond your average adaptation.

Pasek and Paul have proven once again that somewhere in their offices, or wherever they write, they own the key to crafting epic earworms and bold, soaring showtunes - creating an album with absolutely no skips. All songs are memorable and will no doubt provide the soundtrack to many Christmases far and wide. Each with their own enormous set pieces in the movie; an opening that must've taken months to rehearse and film, a romp through ye olde London Town, and various collections of dancers filling streets here and there. It's completely unashamed of being a *movie musical* and leaps into its dance numbers with a joyful abandon that you can't help but share from your sofa.

Add to this the humour that we have all come to expect from a Ryan Reynolds project, the legend of Christmas movies that is Will Ferrell and you've got an absolute winner on your hands. The only issue is that it's not widely available for everyone and can only be found on Apple TV +, so if you've not used it before, make sure you make the most of their three month free trial for this film.

One of the best new Christmas films in recent years.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Callum Wallace

Spirited is now available to stream on Apple TV+.