The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

A good movie in my opinion. I know not everyone will like it, and I know a lot of people hate it (is it just because it's live action?), but it has a beautiful atmosphere, the costumes are amazing, and I feel happy whenever I watch it. Not my favourite Disney movie, but it's not the worst.

I have to write this: if you are expecting a truthful rendition of the ballet, then do NOT go see this. It is so much more....I am a dancer, and i was really worried it would an other ballet version...it actually draws back from the Hoffmann tale, which is quite dark. We still get a dose of dancing with the beautiful Misty Copeland, and we do not need more.

Supposedly it took two directors to finish and wrap up this gorgeous fantasy movie with a lot of post-production editing. Inspired by the short Nutcracker story, this movie would never be a The NeverEnding Story (1984) movie based on Michael Ende's international best-seller nor The Chronicles of Naria: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005) based on C.S. Lewis. Nevertheless, the story outline flows together most likely because of the tight editing. From the very beginning the sweeping camera photography enwraps its audience into a delightful collage of old sites of Victorian England. The set design and amazing landscapes are brilliant. The performance captivating, even the father whose stoic face is betrayed with small poignant pauses and looks of subtle emotional despair. Somewhat predictable along with a harsh but maybe unavoidable twist, the movie seems to transform from magical, fantastic mystery along with the royal flourishes of The Princess Diaries (2001) to a more simple dichotomous clash between good and evil. Nevertheless, the simple ending surprisingly is a pleasant soft surprise with its relational bonding scene along with a delightful series of ballet dance numbers during the closing credits. This was a decent, memorable, if not top brilliant classic of a movie.

Mackenzie Foy tries her hardest here, and I enjoyed the one scene with Misty Copeland on stage. However, dialogue and story is beyond muddled. Internal logic makes no sense. Another fairy tale is now an edgy political commentary and an "epic war". World feels confined and claustrophobic. A bunch of tired Disney cliches surface here, like moping about dead mothers and Chosen One Princess. They even have a twist villain, because that's so beloved.

It's cynical and unpleasant. Too dull and scary for kids, too dumb for adults. If you're looking for the Nutcracker you won't find it here. Just go to the actual ballet, or watch the first Narnia movie

It was enchanting and a fresh take on a classic story, love that it didn't follow the ballet to a tea, and who you thought was the enemy really wasn't. Also love that Clara was an inventor and didn't lose one inch of feminity yet she was still a heroine who saved her mother's kingdom.reminded me a bit of Alice in wonderland and the chronicles of narnia would watch a sequel To this :)