Spirited Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Ryan Reynolds, as the Ghost of Christmas Present, tries to reform a corporate shark Will Ferrell but somehow ends up reformed himself in a chaotic holiday musical.

🍿 Spirited: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Setting the Stage: Christmas Spirits Inc.

The movie opens with a glimpse into the afterlife, where the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come prepare for their annual mission: to redeem a dark soul and nudge them toward a better path. We are introduced to the Ghost of Christmas Present, portrayed by Will Ferrell, who has been doing this for a long time and is looking for a significant challenge before considering retirement. The movie sets the stage for a modern take on the classic “Christmas Carol” story, revealing the elaborate behind-the-scenes operation that makes these redemptions possible. This includes HR departments for ghosts and detailed strategies for choosing and influencing the ‘Scrooge’ of the year.

Meet Clint Briggs: The Unredeemable

The Ghost of Christmas Present selects Clint Briggs, played by Ryan Reynolds, as his target. Clint is a media consultant known for divisive and often unethical tactics. He thrives on creating viral controversies and seems utterly indifferent to the negative impact he has on society. The spirits believe his redemption could create massive positive change due to his wide reach. Clint embodies the modern version of Scrooge, focusing on personal gain and social media influence. He’s presented as seemingly irredeemable, challenging the Ghost of Christmas Present’s belief that everyone can change.

Turning the Tables: An Unexpected Twist

Instead of being reformed by the ghosts, Clint proves to be a difficult subject. He begins to analyze the Ghost of Christmas Present’s methods and motivations, turning the tables on him. Clint challenges the very idea of redemption and questions the ghosts’ past actions and present convictions. The movie takes a meta turn as Clint’s analytical mind starts uncovering secrets about the Ghost of Christmas Present, including his own past and his insecurities about whether he has truly changed since his own redemption as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Romance and Redemption: A New Path

As the story progresses, the Ghost of Christmas Present finds himself drawn to Kimberly, Clint’s intelligent and empathetic assistant, played by Octavia Spencer. She’s weary of Clint’s harmful tactics and longs for a more meaningful existence. This connection complicates the redemption process and provides an emotional core to the story. Their growing bond forces the Ghost of Christmas Present to confront his own fears of not being truly reformed, while also offering Kimberly a chance to break free from Clint’s toxic influence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Present (Will Ferrell): The Ghost of Christmas Present, who is actually the redeemed Ebenezer Scrooge, seeks to reform a seemingly irredeemable man.
• Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds): A cynical and successful media consultant who believes people are inherently unchangeable, becoming the target of Present’s redemption efforts.
• Kimberly (Octavia Spencer): Clint’s conscientious employee who becomes romantically involved with Present while struggling with her own moral compromises.
• Marley (Patrick Page): The head of the Ghost’s operation, overseeing the yearly attempts to redeem individuals.
• Past (Sunita Mani): The Ghost of Christmas Past, helping to guide Clint and Present through their journeys.
• Yet-To-Come (Loren G. Woods): The Ghost of Christmas Yet-To-Come, who takes Clint on a journey to see his potential future.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Present: “You look stupid.” – Present says to a random person who is wearing a Buddy the Elf costume.
• Clint Briggs: “Good afternoon!” – Clint sarcastically greets people after learning the song will ruin people who have heard it.
• Present: “Every time someone does something unforgivable, we lose a little of ourselves.” – Present expresses his concern over the increasing difficulty of redeeming people in the modern world.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $200,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Spirited Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Spirited’ expecting a light-hearted Christmas musical, and I got that, but also something surprisingly clever. The back-and-forth banter between Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds was hilarious, and I actually enjoyed most of the songs! The ending felt a little rushed, but overall, a fun and festive watch that definitely put me in the holiday spirit. The dance number in the rain was my favorite. It was great.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds”
  • “Viewers who enjoy modern musicals”
  • “People looking for a fresh take on ‘A Christmas Carol'”
  • “Those who appreciate meta humor and clever twists”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some profanity”
  • “Mature themes and suggestive jokes”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “References to social media controversies”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While the musical numbers can be a bit much, ‘Spirited’ delivers holiday cheer thanks to the chemistry between Reynolds and Ferrell. It’s a modern take that balances cynicism with heartwarming moments.
• IMDb: “A fun, festive, and surprisingly clever take on ‘A Christmas Carol.’ Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds are a dynamic duo, and the songs are catchy, even if the plot gets a bit convoluted toward the end.

Audience Reactions

Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell’s chemistry is off the charts!: The comedic timing between the two leads made the movie incredibly entertaining.

The musical numbers are surprisingly catchy and fun.: Many viewers were impressed by the original songs and choreography.

Overall Consensus: A festive and funny musical adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ with great chemistry between the leads, though some find the plot convoluted.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film features original songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who won an Oscar for their work on ‘La La Land’.”
• “This is not a straight adaptation of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ but rather a meta-take on the story, exploring the logistics and inner workings of the ghost redemption process.”
• “Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell each earned $20 million for their roles in the movie.”

🖥️ How to Watch Spirited?

Spirited is available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+. As an Apple Original Film, it is not available on other streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or Hulu. To watch, you will need an Apple TV+ subscription. You can also purchase or rent the movie digitally through platforms like Apple TV (iTunes), though streaming is the primary way to access it.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Spirited, you might like these similar films:

• Scrooged (1988): A modern, comedic retelling of ‘A Christmas Carol’ with a cynical protagonist and plenty of satire.
• Elf (2003): Another Will Ferrell-led Christmas comedy with a heartwarming message about the power of belief and spreading joy.
• The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992): A faithful and entertaining musical adaptation of Dickens’ classic tale, suitable for all ages.
• A Christmas Carol (2009): An animated, motion-capture adaptation that hews closely to the source material, offering a darker and more visually stunning take.
• The Greatest Showman (2017): A modern movie musical with strong musical performances and heart-warming story

🛒 Spirited Related Products

• Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornament 2023, Spirited, Musical: Celebrate the magic of ‘Spirited’ with this beautifully crafted Keepsake Ornament, playing a snippet from the movie’s soundtrack and featuring characters from the film. Relive the holiday spirit every year!
• Spirited (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Download the complete ‘Spirited’ soundtrack and sing along to all the catchy tunes from the movie! Includes exclusive bonus tracks and behind-the-scenes content.
• Will Ferrell Christmas Movie Collection (DVD): Includes: Elf, Spirited and other Christmas movies. A great collection for those who enjoy a bit of comedic Christmas spirit.
• Spirited: The Novelization: Relive the film in book form. This is the official novelization of the movie Spirited. It includes additional material.

🎧 Soundtrack

Spirited features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “That Christmas Morning Feeling” – performed by Will Ferrell, Patrick Page, Tracy Morgan, Sunita Mani, Loren Woods, & Ensemble
• “Ripple (Cut Song)” – performed by Ryan Reynolds
• “Good Afternoon” – performed by Will Ferrell & Ryan Reynolds

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Hayao Miyazaki Makes Ramen at Studio Ghibli

Ever wondered what it’s like behind the scenes at Studio Ghibli? This video is a treat! Watch Hayao Miyazaki himself whip up some ramen for the team during the making of ‘Spirited Away’ – it’s a heartwarming and fascinating peek into their creative world.

Steve Reviews: Spirited Away

Want a thoughtful take on ‘Spirited Away’ that goes beyond the surface? Steve’s review breaks down why this movie is so beloved, and he really nails the emotional core of the film. I think you will find some interesting points about the movie.

Billie Eilish’s song Chihiro is about Spirited Away

Did you know that Billie Eilish’s song ‘Chihiro’ is actually inspired by ‘Spirited Away’? This short video explains the connection, and it’s pretty cool to see how the movie influenced her music. If you love both, this one is worth watching!

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