I remember the first time I saw Jim Carrey on screen: I was about ten years old, and the movie was “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.” And I remember looking up at that big screen, watching Jim Carrey use his own anus as a hand puppet, and thinking to myself, “That guy would make a great Ebenezer Scrooge.”

And now, an entire generation later, here we are. Disney’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ has opened to much hype and anticipation, with 3D effects galore and no shortage of scenic eye candy. Clearly this is an upgrade from Christmas Carols past, which, although heavy on the emotional impact, do not contain the digital 3D magic that Charles Dickens intended when he wrote his classic morality tale.

And I’m being absolutely serious when I say that this movie contains some of the most breathtaking 3D animated imagery I have ever seen in my life. The London landscapes are absolutely mind-blowing, and if you do see this film, you have to see it in 3D. You won’t be sorry about the added cost.

In the story’s latest reimaging, Scrooge is portrayed by Jim Carrey, who incidentally also played the Grinch a few years ago (this guy must really be a downer at Christmas parties). He now joins an elite group of renowned Scrooges ranging from Patrick Stewart to the Muppets. But does he measure up? Surprisingly yes, and believe me, I had my doubts.

What I found remarkable is that Carrey gives Scrooge a layer of depth that is missing from so many Scrooge portrayals. In a recent London press conference, Carrey opined that “Scrooge’s lie was that he wasn’t worth loving and so he couldn’t afford to believe in love because he didn’t get any.” And Carrey portrays Scrooge in exactly this manner, so that we begin to empathize with the old man long before his ultimate transformation. We see signs that there is in fact a heart buried somewhere deep beneath that frosty exterior.

But Scrooge is just the tip of the iceberg. As you’ve probably figured out by now, Jim Carrey has plenty of personalities to go around, and all of them are dying to be set free. In this film, he plays elderly Scrooge, young Scrooge, younger Scrooge, medium Scrooge and three different ghosts (although the third has very little to say). Additionally, Gary Oldman is chilling as Jacob Marley and also touching as Bob Cratchit, a true talent. Other talented stars to be featured include Colin Firth, Robin Wright Penn and the always lively Bob Hoskins.

Overall, I was very impressed. Save for a few embellished action sequences, the film is very true to the book, even incorporating elements that are absent from many film adaptations, such as the characterizations of Ignorance and Want. Carrey’s British accent is a bit off at times, but overall he does an outstanding job and I can think of very few complaints.

So be sure and check out this film, now in theaters everywhere.