Nutcrackers

With the name "Nutcrackers," I was expecting this comedy to be more like the Problem Child series with a Christmas twist. Ben Stiller's character mimics the acting he did in the "Meet the Parents" series where he plays an average Joe who finds himself in some comedic situations while caring for four young boys. I gave extra stars for the writers creating realistic scenes in which any parent of unsupervised rambunctious boys could find themselves in. The story line loses stars because of the pivot the story took when the ballet performance idea was introduced. Too much was jammed into such a short amount of time. I don't believe this movie will become a Christmas classic nor do I feel I will be watching it again. However, it does have a nice heartwarming ending.

I really do not understand the harsh reviews. This is a sweet film. Not a typical Christmas film maybe, but also nothing groundbreaking. The boys, all real life brothers, are excellent. I didn't think they were obnoxious characters as other reviewers have suggested, just young kids grieving the loss of both parents! It's not too cheesy or schmaltzy, I laughed out loud a few times (it's gently funny rather than hilarious). This was my first Christmas film of 2024 and a nice gentle one to start the season off. I suppose people expect more lights and music and adventure, plus general cheesiness with a "Christmas" film so perhaps that's is why eating are bad. It's just a nice Sunday afternoon type film. I enjoyed it. Only real criticism is zero diversity. Not really any excuse for that these days.

Yikes

A big Chicago hot shot named Michael (Mike) must return to smaller life when his sister passes away and leaves 4 kids parentless. He is going back to try and sort the foster parent situation, as things are on hold he must spend the weekend with Justice, Junior, Simon and Samuel. The boys who prove to be a lot will also be an extra heave in trying to find them a new home. The question is will Mikes personal life take importance over the relocation of his nephews.

It's a really good idea for a movie but it feels like nothing clicked, the kids are grieving but acting like feral animals at one minute and an hour later are perfectly fine, this happens a lot in the movie.

There are some heartfelt scenes and the acting isn't an issue, I just feel the movie wasn't Christmas themed bar the last 20 minutes. It was long and boring at times unfortunately, I don't recommend, maybe watch a classic instead, 4/10.

But, I just liked it. Ben's acting seemed as if he didn't even want to be there and I could barely understand what the kids were saying half the time. I felt like I was watching the "Wolfpack" brothers if they looked like the "Hanson" brothers. The kids lack of discipline was annoying at times and yet they were smart and capable. I almost wondered if the parents faked their demise and ran away. Would i recommend this movie? Probably if you want to watch a confusing family movie with a Christmas theme. There was something about the brothers that is intriguing and I hope to see more of them in the future after they hone in on their acting skills.

I went into watching this movie thinking that it was another Ben Stiller slapstick comedy. However, I ended up being pleasantly surprised that Nutcrackers isn't that. It's hard to capture in words, what makes it good. Yes, it's heartwarming, funny and somewhat light, but it's the kids, their animals, and their rural environment that end up capturing your heart. I wasn't surprised when I later read that the boys are actually brothers in real life and that it was filmed on their family's actual farm. Ben Stiller was good but seemed a little out of place in the flow of things - but I guess that was the point wasn't it? :-)