EVERYONE TAKES IT SO SERIOUSLY, at least every human. The Muppets don't, but the humans act like they are living in a world without Muppets, they act like they are doing the most serious version of a Christmas Carol as they possibly can...
... and it works. It really works. It's a Muppets movie with Shakespeare quality acting... which makes it one of my favorite adaptations of A Christmas Carol. It's deadly serious and hysterical. It's well acted, it looks brilliant...
.... AND THE SONG IS STILL CUT!!!! Which is a shame, because it's one of those songs that brings a tear to your eye, and, as far as I know, is only available in one addition, and it wasn't the one I just streamed.
It breaks the heart, but who cares, it is still well played, well acted, beautiful, funny, and heart warming, and that is what it should be... for a Muppets film.
I loved it as a child, and I love it today