Most of us are familiar with the Nutcracker and the Mouse King, a story written by E. T. A. Hoffmann, or the famous ballet the Nutcracker by Marius Petipa. Well this story is finally being recreated on screen, this time as a Disney fantasy adventure film, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, written by Ashleigh Powell and directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston, is not about the original love story between Clara and the Nutcracker that comes to life. Instead, it reimagines young Clara on an adventure to the four realms, the mysterious parallel universe her mother had created.
On Christmas eve, Clara (Mackenzie Foy) receives a gift her mother had left before she passed away. It is a lock egg box with a letter that says “everything you need is inside,” only there is no key. Clara finds a golden thread that leads her to the magical key, but the key is lost, and she stumbles into a mysterious world. There, she meets the Nutcracker Phillip, (Jayden Fowora-Knight) who shows her the three realms: the Land of Snowflakes, the Land of Flowers, and the Land of Sweets.
Clara discovers that her mother was once queen of the warring realms. Sugar Plum (Keira Knightley) from the Land of Sweets tells Clara that they are in danger of possible attack from the fourth realm ruled by Mother Ginger, with her army of mice. Clara discovers that the key would not only unlock Clara’s gift, but also her mother’s machine that brings toy soldiers to life, which is the only army they could make to defend themselves. Her mission to unite the kingdoms begins as Clara enters the fourth realm with Philip.
The visual effects in this movie are impressive. It gives you a beautiful Christmas view, and shows each realms in mystical colors and meticulous details. As Claudia Bauer in San Francisco Chronicle writes, “The extensive CGI is nearly seamless, from the towering Palace perched atop waterfalls to the teeming rodents that form the Mouse King.”
Keira Knightley appears drastically different from her former elegant roles as Sugar Plum Fairy. Her high pitched voice and wit amuses the audience. Mackenzie Foy acts out brave and intelligent Clara fairly well. There is also ballerina Misty Copeland who appears in a brief ballet performance that shows how the four realms first started.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with some disappointed critics that this is not the best Disney movie. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms might draw the young audience with parents who enjoy ballet, but we do not see that much of a performance. The plot is also similar to a mix of the Chronicles of Narnia, Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland. The Hollywood reporter David Rooney states, “To put it bluntly, the story is a convoluted mess, occasionally inching toward interesting developments but almost invariably careening off in some frantic new direction before lasting involvement can take hold.” The plot lacks coherence, and ends abruptly. The Nutcracker himself does little in action except for following Clara around.
I would recommend this movie if you are simply looking for a cheerful holiday confection with lovely sights of Christmas. There is absolutely no violence, even in battle scenes, so it would be nice to watch with younger children. However, if you expect a deeper story plot and a thrilling adventure, I don’t think this is the right movie for you.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is now available in all theaters in the U.S. since its release at November 2nd, 2018.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, written by Ashleigh Powell and directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston, is not about the original love story between Clara and the Nutcracker that comes to life. Instead, it reimagines young Clara on an adventure to the four realms, the mysterious parallel universe her mother had created.
On Christmas eve, Clara (Mackenzie Foy) receives a gift her mother had left before she passed away. It is a lock egg box with a letter that says “everything you need is inside,” only there is no key. Clara finds a golden thread that leads her to the magical key, but the key is lost, and she stumbles into a mysterious world. There, she meets the Nutcracker Phillip, (Jayden Fowora-Knight) who shows her the three realms: the Land of Snowflakes, the Land of Flowers, and the Land of Sweets.
Clara discovers that her mother was once queen of the warring realms. Sugar Plum (Keira Knightley) from the Land of Sweets tells Clara that they are in danger of possible attack from the fourth realm ruled by Mother Ginger, with her army of mice. Clara discovers that the key would not only unlock Clara’s gift, but also her mother’s machine that brings toy soldiers to life, which is the only army they could make to defend themselves. Her mission to unite the kingdoms begins as Clara enters the fourth realm with Philip.
The visual effects in this movie are impressive. It gives you a beautiful Christmas view, and shows each realms in mystical colors and meticulous details. As Claudia Bauer in San Francisco Chronicle writes, “The extensive CGI is nearly seamless, from the towering Palace perched atop waterfalls to the teeming rodents that form the Mouse King.”
Keira Knightley appears drastically different from her former elegant roles as Sugar Plum Fairy. Her high pitched voice and wit amuses the audience. Mackenzie Foy acts out brave and intelligent Clara fairly well. There is also ballerina Misty Copeland who appears in a brief ballet performance that shows how the four realms first started.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with some disappointed critics that this is not the best Disney movie. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms might draw the young audience with parents who enjoy ballet, but we do not see that much of a performance. The plot is also similar to a mix of the Chronicles of Narnia, Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland. The Hollywood reporter David Rooney states, “To put it bluntly, the story is a convoluted mess, occasionally inching toward interesting developments but almost invariably careening off in some frantic new direction before lasting involvement can take hold.” The plot lacks coherence, and ends abruptly. The Nutcracker himself does little in action except for following Clara around.
I would recommend this movie if you are simply looking for a cheerful holiday confection with lovely sights of Christmas. There is absolutely no violence, even in battle scenes, so it would be nice to watch with younger children. However, if you expect a deeper story plot and a thrilling adventure, I don’t think this is the right movie for you.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is now available in all theaters in the U.S. since its release at November 2nd, 2018.