59 reviews
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 :)
- princessbeau
- Jun 4, 2019
- Permalink
The story is much different, and the music is played in small pieces or in the background so lightly you'll miss it if you're not listening for it. The sets and costumes are beautiful, but the story was just ok. Without the music, a lot of the original story is lost.
"The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" is one of the best live-action Disney film. It contains all the magic and the score by James Newton Howard perfectly contains the beloved suits from "The Nutcracker" by Tchaikovsky, while also being new. Keira Knightley is perfect as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Great family film!
- sebastiansallingkierkegaard
- Oct 23, 2018
- Permalink
It's not terrible (there's worse), but it's not good. Not memorable. There's some good acting, but some terrible plotting. It's not as bad as Oz the Great and Powerful, but it's in the same vein pointless and purposeless retelling. Where Oz was a total disaster, this one is at least colorful and has some big names doing a worthwhile job.
It's the kind of movie little kids would like, but then if they rewatched it when they're older, they'd be disappointed that their memory and nostalgia had lied to them.
It's the kind of movie little kids would like, but then if they rewatched it when they're older, they'd be disappointed that their memory and nostalgia had lied to them.
- jesusfreak-00881
- Dec 11, 2021
- Permalink
Forget the story it's based on, enjoy this wonderful family movie as it is, you won't regret it.
When seeing the trailer for 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' seeing 'Christopher Robin' in the cinema a few months ago, it immediately went high up on my most anticipated films of the year list and one of the films that left me desperate and impatient to see it. Simply adore the 'Nutcracker' story, have read it and seen the ballet and many adaptations of it so many times, and Tchaikovsky's music and the cast involved boasted a lot of talent. How could it go wrong?
After seeing the less than favourable critical reception, my high expectations were lowered. Still saw it anyway being such a 'Nutcracker' fan and being determined to disagree with the critical consensus, thinking to myself could a film with such a promising trailer be that bad. My retrospective feelings are that 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' is not that bad and not one of the worst films of the year, plus it is much better than 'The Nutcracker 3D'. Unfortunately, count me in as someone who was disappointed, it may not one of the worst films of the year but it was one of the most disappointing. As a Disney fanatic too, while nowhere near as bad as 'A Wrinkle in Time' in particular of their relatively few misfires 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' is a lesser effort of theirs.
Regarding how it fares as an adaptation, actually did not interpret, despite being led to believe otherwise, 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' as a straight up adaptation or re-imagining of the story. If anything it was more of a sequel to the original Hoffmann story, which is frequently referenced throughout, although the protagonist of most of the adaptations is named Clara the protagonist's name in Hoffmann's story is Marie, the name given to Clara's deceased mother in this film.
Starting with the good things about 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms', it looks fantastic and is a visual feast. The production, set and costume design are truly sumptuously opulent with amazing attention to detail and colours at pop out at you. The effects are well crafted if not quite as meticulous. Another strong asset is the music, there is a healthy dose of Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' throughout, incredible music embedded seamlessly. James Newton Howard's score sparkles with charm and magic that one wishes was with the rest of the film.
It starts off very well, starting with a striking opening sequence and there is some emotion and sense of purpose to begin with, despite it not being much new. The ending was sweet, but the highlight scene was the ballet sequence detailing how their world was created, there was drama there and it was magnificent musically and in dancing (as well as being one of the few parts where anything was explained properly). The performances were variable, with some good performances and a lot of bad ones. Starting with the good, Mackenzie Foy does a fine job carrying the film and does have likeability.
Matthew MacFadyen portrays the grieving and stern father well, and despite having far too little screen time Morgan Freeman brings mystery and gravitas to Drosselmeyer and barely recognisable Helen Mirren is an imperious Mother Ginger. Misty Copeland's effortless dancing is a major bonus, while the nuisance mouse indeed has more personality than most of the cast, and Gustavo Dudamel's contribution to the music performance should not be ignored, have no complaints regarding the orchestral playing or conducting, they bring the enchantment of the music wonderfully.
Unfortunately, the sense of wonder seen and heard in the visuals and music are not there in the script and story. 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' is like a pudding that looks so delicious and beautiful, but when one bites into it it tastes over-egged texturally and doesn't have enough flavour while hardly unpalatable. The above actors are the only ones to come over well. Jacob Fowora-Knight is very wooden while Keira Knightley's simpering overacting becomes annoying. The rest of the cast struggle to register in pretty useless roles that are either merely plot-devices or out of place distractions. Have liked a good deal of Lasse Hallstrom's previous work, 'My Life as a Dog' is a favourite, but somehow there was the sense he was the wrong director and not entirely sure what to do with the film.
Found the script too mechanical, bland and muddled, there was the sense too that it, like the story, wasn't sure whether it wanted to go the light-hearted, camp approach or serious approach. It tries to do both and executes both pretty poorly, the humorous elements clumsy, unfunny and out of place (annoying even) and the more serious elements taken too seriously that it robs the film of charm and magic and replaces it with a mean-spiritedness with a few darker elements (with some unintentionally creepy-looking harlequins that don't really do anything) that jar as much as the humour does.
'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' does lose momentum, to the point that the film becomes stuck when really it was the most urgent the film should have been, once Clara goes on the Fourth Realm quest. The final act suffers from a rushed and unexciting climax and a twist that was forced and actually guessable quite a fair bit of time before it was revealed. The film, on top of having a lot of over-familiar fantasy tropes, primarily suffers from a lack of emotion, magic and soul, all appearing in spurts (so at the beginning, the ballet sequence and the end), with much of the film feeling very hollow, flat characters that don't have much to engage properly with them let alone find them rootable and from feeling incomplete, disjointed and jumbled. The latter would have been rectified if the mythology of the Fourth Realm was explained much more (because that was very underdeveloped and confusing), that the Four Realms in general were gone into detail in much more because we don't learn much about them and if it tried to do quite a lot less and had a more focused tone. It tries to do too much and does little with it all.
Overall, to me it was not that bad but it did disappoint on too many levels. Should have been a lot better. 5/10 Bethany Cox
After seeing the less than favourable critical reception, my high expectations were lowered. Still saw it anyway being such a 'Nutcracker' fan and being determined to disagree with the critical consensus, thinking to myself could a film with such a promising trailer be that bad. My retrospective feelings are that 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' is not that bad and not one of the worst films of the year, plus it is much better than 'The Nutcracker 3D'. Unfortunately, count me in as someone who was disappointed, it may not one of the worst films of the year but it was one of the most disappointing. As a Disney fanatic too, while nowhere near as bad as 'A Wrinkle in Time' in particular of their relatively few misfires 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' is a lesser effort of theirs.
Regarding how it fares as an adaptation, actually did not interpret, despite being led to believe otherwise, 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' as a straight up adaptation or re-imagining of the story. If anything it was more of a sequel to the original Hoffmann story, which is frequently referenced throughout, although the protagonist of most of the adaptations is named Clara the protagonist's name in Hoffmann's story is Marie, the name given to Clara's deceased mother in this film.
Starting with the good things about 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms', it looks fantastic and is a visual feast. The production, set and costume design are truly sumptuously opulent with amazing attention to detail and colours at pop out at you. The effects are well crafted if not quite as meticulous. Another strong asset is the music, there is a healthy dose of Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' throughout, incredible music embedded seamlessly. James Newton Howard's score sparkles with charm and magic that one wishes was with the rest of the film.
It starts off very well, starting with a striking opening sequence and there is some emotion and sense of purpose to begin with, despite it not being much new. The ending was sweet, but the highlight scene was the ballet sequence detailing how their world was created, there was drama there and it was magnificent musically and in dancing (as well as being one of the few parts where anything was explained properly). The performances were variable, with some good performances and a lot of bad ones. Starting with the good, Mackenzie Foy does a fine job carrying the film and does have likeability.
Matthew MacFadyen portrays the grieving and stern father well, and despite having far too little screen time Morgan Freeman brings mystery and gravitas to Drosselmeyer and barely recognisable Helen Mirren is an imperious Mother Ginger. Misty Copeland's effortless dancing is a major bonus, while the nuisance mouse indeed has more personality than most of the cast, and Gustavo Dudamel's contribution to the music performance should not be ignored, have no complaints regarding the orchestral playing or conducting, they bring the enchantment of the music wonderfully.
Unfortunately, the sense of wonder seen and heard in the visuals and music are not there in the script and story. 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' is like a pudding that looks so delicious and beautiful, but when one bites into it it tastes over-egged texturally and doesn't have enough flavour while hardly unpalatable. The above actors are the only ones to come over well. Jacob Fowora-Knight is very wooden while Keira Knightley's simpering overacting becomes annoying. The rest of the cast struggle to register in pretty useless roles that are either merely plot-devices or out of place distractions. Have liked a good deal of Lasse Hallstrom's previous work, 'My Life as a Dog' is a favourite, but somehow there was the sense he was the wrong director and not entirely sure what to do with the film.
Found the script too mechanical, bland and muddled, there was the sense too that it, like the story, wasn't sure whether it wanted to go the light-hearted, camp approach or serious approach. It tries to do both and executes both pretty poorly, the humorous elements clumsy, unfunny and out of place (annoying even) and the more serious elements taken too seriously that it robs the film of charm and magic and replaces it with a mean-spiritedness with a few darker elements (with some unintentionally creepy-looking harlequins that don't really do anything) that jar as much as the humour does.
'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms' does lose momentum, to the point that the film becomes stuck when really it was the most urgent the film should have been, once Clara goes on the Fourth Realm quest. The final act suffers from a rushed and unexciting climax and a twist that was forced and actually guessable quite a fair bit of time before it was revealed. The film, on top of having a lot of over-familiar fantasy tropes, primarily suffers from a lack of emotion, magic and soul, all appearing in spurts (so at the beginning, the ballet sequence and the end), with much of the film feeling very hollow, flat characters that don't have much to engage properly with them let alone find them rootable and from feeling incomplete, disjointed and jumbled. The latter would have been rectified if the mythology of the Fourth Realm was explained much more (because that was very underdeveloped and confusing), that the Four Realms in general were gone into detail in much more because we don't learn much about them and if it tried to do quite a lot less and had a more focused tone. It tries to do too much and does little with it all.
Overall, to me it was not that bad but it did disappoint on too many levels. Should have been a lot better. 5/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 10, 2018
- Permalink
This film simply doesn't work. However, with a major studio behind it there appears to have been an effort to spend their way out of trouble. Firstly the plot is boring and confusing and has no direction. It wanders aimlessly. The editing is all over the place with scenes stitched together and jumping about. The acting from some of the cast, particularly the Nutcracker, is embarrassing to watch. Thankfully Matthew MacFadyen provides much needed emotional gravitas as the father and Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirran are great scene stealers. Keira Knightleys also does her best she can with a poor script. There are great actors in this film such as Richard E. Grant who are criminally underused. Hopefully they were paid well. This film clearly took so long to make, probably due to reshoots, that you can see Mackenzie Foy getting older and then younger between scenes. This is a very poor addition to Disney's recent high quality live action films.
- paul-carlier
- Nov 3, 2018
- Permalink
Several films have tried to translate "The Nutcracker" to the big screen, some as straightforward adaptations of the ballet and others as interpretations of the original book by E. T. A. Hoffman. The original text is dense, dark, and does not lend itself to a straight cinematic retelling. The ballet, meanwhile, uses only the scaffolding of Hoffman's plot, usually dispensing with the narrative by the end of the first act and bringing out a series of showpieces in the second. As a result, it too is not a prime candidate for a scripted interpretation. Still, it's such a beloved Christmas staple that the lure to adapt it has proven irresistible.
Of the retellings I've seen, "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" is the best, but I say that cautiously. As with the ballet, it uses only the base elements of the original book, mingling in some elements of the ballet, although with some interesting subversions. (Kids who love the ballet will be excited at the presence of the Sugarplum Fairy and Mother Ginger, but to see them at war is certainly unexpected.) However, if the writers discarded the character names and the Christmas Eve party that bookends the film, you could easily take this for another Narnia or Alice in Wonderland sequel. The plot elements line up so closely with Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland that it's hard not to see the Sugarplum Fairy as a spin on Helena Bonham Carter's Red Queen. The story becomes more depressingly derivative as it progresses, so by the time the villain's Grand Scheme is revealed and two sides go to war, you sigh in resignation and strap in for the upcoming CGI-fest.
Still, this movie has some terrific qualities. All the acting is strong and sincere. I like Morgan Freeman as an avuncular, rather than terrifying, Drosselmeyer. Keira Knightley is gleeful and she lights up every scene she's in. Mackenzie Foy is a steady, likeable presence in a movie where she's on screen for at least 90 percent of the running time. Additionally, the sets, costumes, and CGI are well-done. You can tell a lot of thought went into making this film, especially in little background touches. The Christmas Party scenes are particularly well done, making clear why visiting Drosselmeyer's would be a thrill for a child.
James Newton Howard deserves acclaim for his soundtrack. It's no easy task to adapt one of the world's best-known classical ballet scores, at least not without seeming disrespectful. (If you want an example, check out the atrocious Nutcracker 3-D from 2010.) The music fits in seamlessly, especially when at one point the score dips in and out of an actual ballet, focusing on dancers and then on the fairy-land audience.
Of the retellings I've seen, "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" is the best, but I say that cautiously. As with the ballet, it uses only the base elements of the original book, mingling in some elements of the ballet, although with some interesting subversions. (Kids who love the ballet will be excited at the presence of the Sugarplum Fairy and Mother Ginger, but to see them at war is certainly unexpected.) However, if the writers discarded the character names and the Christmas Eve party that bookends the film, you could easily take this for another Narnia or Alice in Wonderland sequel. The plot elements line up so closely with Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland that it's hard not to see the Sugarplum Fairy as a spin on Helena Bonham Carter's Red Queen. The story becomes more depressingly derivative as it progresses, so by the time the villain's Grand Scheme is revealed and two sides go to war, you sigh in resignation and strap in for the upcoming CGI-fest.
Still, this movie has some terrific qualities. All the acting is strong and sincere. I like Morgan Freeman as an avuncular, rather than terrifying, Drosselmeyer. Keira Knightley is gleeful and she lights up every scene she's in. Mackenzie Foy is a steady, likeable presence in a movie where she's on screen for at least 90 percent of the running time. Additionally, the sets, costumes, and CGI are well-done. You can tell a lot of thought went into making this film, especially in little background touches. The Christmas Party scenes are particularly well done, making clear why visiting Drosselmeyer's would be a thrill for a child.
James Newton Howard deserves acclaim for his soundtrack. It's no easy task to adapt one of the world's best-known classical ballet scores, at least not without seeming disrespectful. (If you want an example, check out the atrocious Nutcracker 3-D from 2010.) The music fits in seamlessly, especially when at one point the score dips in and out of an actual ballet, focusing on dancers and then on the fairy-land audience.
Am I the only one who feels like this film really looks like "Narnia : The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" film? The scene where Clara first arrived to that little world, that snowy place really looks like that one where Lucy first arrived to Narnia. That scene really reminded me of that film.
The story is also like Narnia film I've mentioned, but difference is that the evil one is hidden. When everything's in place, she appeared. Rather than we know who is evil, hidden is kind of nice. It makes the audience surprised.
The acting is basically fine. But I don't like Mackenzie Foy's acting that much. It seems like she needs to be better than this. And (out of topic) I can't quite believe that the little Renesmee from Twilight grew up like this. She's like an adult girl. I was really surprised when I saw her name in the credit. LOL.
The animation is good since it's from Disney. So, no doubt. Hence, no more comment on it.
I also don't like the title either. The title is like focusing on nutcracker while the whole film is performed by Clara. Still, it really makes it new version. I've only seen nutcracker once in the Barbie film. When I saw it in the film, I was like it's kind of different from it. But I can't say where it becomes different. Yet, it looks great.
Finally, the costume. I'd say the costume designer is terrible. What's wrong with Clara's costume? The purple one is the worst. I mean she's the lead, so, at least, they should've done a better job on her dress. But they didn't. So, I really don't like it.
Overall is that although it really looks like Narnia film (with no fighting scenes which makes it different from it) and it doesn't have that much thing to enjoy, it's worth to watch at least once.
The story is also like Narnia film I've mentioned, but difference is that the evil one is hidden. When everything's in place, she appeared. Rather than we know who is evil, hidden is kind of nice. It makes the audience surprised.
The acting is basically fine. But I don't like Mackenzie Foy's acting that much. It seems like she needs to be better than this. And (out of topic) I can't quite believe that the little Renesmee from Twilight grew up like this. She's like an adult girl. I was really surprised when I saw her name in the credit. LOL.
The animation is good since it's from Disney. So, no doubt. Hence, no more comment on it.
I also don't like the title either. The title is like focusing on nutcracker while the whole film is performed by Clara. Still, it really makes it new version. I've only seen nutcracker once in the Barbie film. When I saw it in the film, I was like it's kind of different from it. But I can't say where it becomes different. Yet, it looks great.
Finally, the costume. I'd say the costume designer is terrible. What's wrong with Clara's costume? The purple one is the worst. I mean she's the lead, so, at least, they should've done a better job on her dress. But they didn't. So, I really don't like it.
Overall is that although it really looks like Narnia film (with no fighting scenes which makes it different from it) and it doesn't have that much thing to enjoy, it's worth to watch at least once.
- aishuidexiaogongzhu
- Apr 27, 2019
- Permalink
- luningyuan-23687
- Nov 24, 2018
- Permalink
When the best thing about a movie are the costumes, and the titles.. You know you have a problem.
Overall, Disney is going through a storytelling crisis.
This movie, has so many great qualities, that could have been worked into a good movie, but instead this movie is jumping from one idea to the next, without anything that ties it all together.
Also, there's barely anything to do with the actual nutcracker story. It's more a Alice in wonderland meets Narnia...
It's a shame.
Both Walt Disney and Tchaikovsky are 100% disappointed of this mishmash.
Overall, Disney is going through a storytelling crisis.
This movie, has so many great qualities, that could have been worked into a good movie, but instead this movie is jumping from one idea to the next, without anything that ties it all together.
Also, there's barely anything to do with the actual nutcracker story. It's more a Alice in wonderland meets Narnia...
It's a shame.
Both Walt Disney and Tchaikovsky are 100% disappointed of this mishmash.
- Newport_Fischer
- Jan 24, 2024
- Permalink
"The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" is an Adventure - Family movie in which we watch a young girl going to a party with her brother, her sister and her father. There she is transported into a magical world where she has to find some answers about her mother and the gift she left her after her death. With the answers, she has also to find a key which is very important not only for her but for the whole magical world.
I liked this movie because it surprised me with its plot. It was very different from the previous Nutcracker movies that I had seen. I enjoyed very much the beautiful costumes. About the direction which was made by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston I found it very interesting and I liked very much their idea of having a ballet scene at some point of their movie. Regarding the interpretations, I have to admit that I was happily surprised by the interpretation of Mackenzie Foy who played as Clara and she was very good. Some other interpretations that have to be mentioned were Jayden Fowora-Knight's who played as Phillip, Keira Knightley's who played as Sugar Plum and Morgan Freeman's who played as Drosselmeyer and gave a different touch in this movie.
Finally, I have to say that "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" is a great family movie, with a very different plot than the original Nutcracker movies but equally interesting. I recommend everyone to watch this movie because I am sure that you are going to enjoy it. If you want to watch a classic Nutcracker movie then you should watch one of the previous movies and not this one, but if you want to watch a different movie than the previous then this is the movie you should watch.
I liked this movie because it surprised me with its plot. It was very different from the previous Nutcracker movies that I had seen. I enjoyed very much the beautiful costumes. About the direction which was made by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston I found it very interesting and I liked very much their idea of having a ballet scene at some point of their movie. Regarding the interpretations, I have to admit that I was happily surprised by the interpretation of Mackenzie Foy who played as Clara and she was very good. Some other interpretations that have to be mentioned were Jayden Fowora-Knight's who played as Phillip, Keira Knightley's who played as Sugar Plum and Morgan Freeman's who played as Drosselmeyer and gave a different touch in this movie.
Finally, I have to say that "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" is a great family movie, with a very different plot than the original Nutcracker movies but equally interesting. I recommend everyone to watch this movie because I am sure that you are going to enjoy it. If you want to watch a classic Nutcracker movie then you should watch one of the previous movies and not this one, but if you want to watch a different movie than the previous then this is the movie you should watch.
- Thanos_Alfie
- Jan 19, 2019
- Permalink
Well, you take a mixer, drop in Willy Wonka, Alice (in Wonderland), add some Narnia and Wizard of Oz and voila - you get a new movie.
Why Hollywood takes famous "names" or stories and change them almost to an extent that there is nothing left of the original (e.g. last King Arthur) is a mystery to me. Okay, I guess we can pretty safely asume that something called marketing is the reason here.
Anyway, this one is like cotton candy - it tastes good but if you get too much of it you get no yummy in your tummy but some bad achy.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is an okay flick if you want to watch it with your kids, as the movie got some nice visuals as an adult you got a good chance to survive the experience without too heavy damage.
Why Hollywood takes famous "names" or stories and change them almost to an extent that there is nothing left of the original (e.g. last King Arthur) is a mystery to me. Okay, I guess we can pretty safely asume that something called marketing is the reason here.
Anyway, this one is like cotton candy - it tastes good but if you get too much of it you get no yummy in your tummy but some bad achy.
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is an okay flick if you want to watch it with your kids, as the movie got some nice visuals as an adult you got a good chance to survive the experience without too heavy damage.
- Tweetienator
- Jan 18, 2019
- Permalink
It's pretty, has a pretty nice atmosphere and setting, but that's mostly all that's good. It's very predictable and formulaic,not to mention boring... The highlights are when Helen Mirren or Morgan Freeman are on screen, but these are a few short scenes and further prove how mediocre this movie otherwise is.
- Darth_Osmosis
- Nov 5, 2018
- Permalink
Soulless, dull and utterly lacking in magic. This is every inch A Wrinkle in Time, only even more uninspiring, yet shorter and less cringe-worthy, and hence way more watchable.
(5/10)
(5/10)
- AhmedSpielberg99
- Apr 19, 2020
- Permalink
It's Christmas in Victorian London. Clara Stahlbaum (Mackenzie Foy) is excited when her father (Matthew Macfadyen) shows up with the kids' presents. Clara gets her late mother's ornate egg but the key is missing. The family attends a ball hosted by their godfather Drosselmeyer (Morgan Freeman). He had made the egg and key for her mother. Clara steps into an alternate world where a mouse steals her mother's key. She encounters the Nutcracker Captain Philip Hoffman (Jayden Fowora-Knight) who reveals that her mother was a beloved Queen and by definition, she is a respected Princess. The mouse gives the key to the evil Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren) in the Fourth Realm. Sugar Plum (Keira Knightley) explains that her mother used a machine to animate them and they need the machine to animate an army to defend against Mother Ginger. It needs the same key to turn on as the egg.
The look is extravagance without the magic. It's CGI everywhere and it feels lifeless. I've always thought of Clara as a younger girl. Mackenzie Foy is around 17 and is more likely to be boy crazy. I wouldn't mind reworking that but the movie doesn't go there and Jayden Fowora-Knight is a dud anyways. The performances are pretty lifeless. The young leads are too stiff and the veterans are overwhelmed by the CGI. It's a reworking of the classic but I wish for more of the iconic music. The more recognizable music is relegated to the closing credits. It's a big epic but I'm never pull into it completely.
The look is extravagance without the magic. It's CGI everywhere and it feels lifeless. I've always thought of Clara as a younger girl. Mackenzie Foy is around 17 and is more likely to be boy crazy. I wouldn't mind reworking that but the movie doesn't go there and Jayden Fowora-Knight is a dud anyways. The performances are pretty lifeless. The young leads are too stiff and the veterans are overwhelmed by the CGI. It's a reworking of the classic but I wish for more of the iconic music. The more recognizable music is relegated to the closing credits. It's a big epic but I'm never pull into it completely.
- SnoopyStyle
- Jan 30, 2019
- Permalink
So many missed opportunities here. Gorgeous and dull. It's about the 4 Realms, but you only see the palace and the "bad" realm?!? The other three realms are mentioned and only depicted in a ballet sequence. (Which is lovely, by the way.)
So disappointing.
When "Clara" (Mackenzie Foy) follows a mysterious golden thread she finds herself in a magical kingdom that it turns out - from her new "Nutcracker" friend "Capt. Philip" (Jayden Fowora-Knight) - is ruled by her mother! This is confirmed by the great and the good at her castle, whereupon she must announce that her mother is no more. Does that make her queen? Well there are certainly a few flies in that particular ointment and it falls to the young girl and her brave military friend to thwart a plan to usurp the kingdom and restore peace and tranquility. This has had the full Disney treatment: it looks stunning, costumes and sets and visual effects all complemented well by a James Newton Howard score that draws occasionally on Tchaikovsky's original themes. Thing is, though, the rest of the narrative is all over the shop. The characterisations are muddled and derivative with Keira Knightley's seriously hammed-up "Sugar Plum" straight of the "Hunger Games" and Dame Helen Mirren's "Mother Ginger" featuring all too sparingly to rescue this rambling and disappointing story. The eagle-eyed amongst us might spot Richard E. Grant and about half way through, there is quite a charming ballet sequence but sadly the gist of this film is really lacking. Unfortunately, lots of style but little of substance here. Looks good, though.
- CinemaSerf
- Dec 24, 2022
- Permalink
A lot of movies aimed at younger children contain nuances that will appeal to older viewers, maybe jokes that the younger ones can't get. Unfortunately, this movie is lacking in them. A great cast and a magical story that will appeal to , probably young girls, but very few others. A missed opportunity.
- Sergiodave
- Dec 15, 2020
- Permalink
A visually enchanting holiday adventure filled with shimmering worlds, bold imagination, and a reimagined twist on the classic Nutcracker tale.
A feast for the eyes, lush, magical, beautifully crafted, though its story sometimes wanders behind its dazzling visuals.
.
🎬 Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
On Christmas Eve, young Clara Stahlbaum receives a mysterious golden egg-shaped box. A final gift left to her by her late mother. In trying to unlock it, she stumbles into a hidden, fantastical world made up of four magical realms: the Land of Snowflakes, the Land of Flowers, the Land of Sweets, and the forbidden Fourth Realm.
There, Clara learns her mother was once the beloved queen of this world. Now threatened by discord and fear. Guided by a brave Nutcracker soldier named Phillip, Clara must uncover the truth about the realms, confront a surprising enemy, and find her own strength as a budding leader.
A story about courage, grief, wonder, and embracing who you're meant to become.
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✅ What Worked
1. Stunning production design worthy of a storybook
2. Mackenzie Foy's gentle, grounded performance as Clara
3. Keira Knightley's delightfully bizarre Sugar Plum Fairy
4. The jaw-dropping Four Realms visuals
5. James Newton Howard's sweeping, magical score
6. A modern, empowering arc for Clara
7. Strong costume work: opulent, colorful, imaginative
.
❌ What Didn't Work
1. Story feels thin compared to the world-building
2. The villain twist is predictable for some viewers
3. Emotional beats don't fully land
4. Tonal shifts between whimsical and dark are abrupt
5. Occasional pacing stalls
6. Underuse of ballet elements
7. Some characters fade into the background too quickly
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💬 Favorite Moments / Quotes (Spoiler-Free)
1. Clara's breathtaking entrance into the Four Realms
2. The Sugar Plum Fairy's sugary-sweet (and slightly menacing) charm
3. The ballet performance explaining the realms' history
4. Clara and Phillip crossing the icy bridge
5. The mechanical toy soldiers sequence
6. Clara solving her mother's final puzzle
7. The emotional Christmas Eve closing
.
✨ Fun Facts
1. Misty Copeland performs the film's standout ballet sequences.
2. Filming used some of the largest practical sets ever built for a Disney fantasy film.
3. The story draws from both Hoffmann's original tale and Tchaikovsky's ballet.
4. Keira Knightley created her character's unusual voice using "a mix of sugar and helium" inspiration.
5. Over 100 different costumes were created just for the Four Realms residents.
.
👀 If You Liked This, You Might Also Enjoy
1. Maleficent
2. The Chronicles of Narnia
3. Alice Through the Looking Glass
4. Cinderella (2015)
5. A Wrinkle in Time
6. Beauty and the Beast (2017)
7. Pan
.
🎯 Final Thoughts
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms may not revolutionize the classic tale, but it brings it to life with shimmering, cinematic enchantment. A holiday fantasy filled with visual wonder, heartfelt moments, and enough magic to warm a winter night.
⭐ 5.2/10. A gorgeously imagined but narratively light holiday adventure wrapped in sparkling fantasy.
A feast for the eyes, lush, magical, beautifully crafted, though its story sometimes wanders behind its dazzling visuals.
.
🎬 Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
On Christmas Eve, young Clara Stahlbaum receives a mysterious golden egg-shaped box. A final gift left to her by her late mother. In trying to unlock it, she stumbles into a hidden, fantastical world made up of four magical realms: the Land of Snowflakes, the Land of Flowers, the Land of Sweets, and the forbidden Fourth Realm.
There, Clara learns her mother was once the beloved queen of this world. Now threatened by discord and fear. Guided by a brave Nutcracker soldier named Phillip, Clara must uncover the truth about the realms, confront a surprising enemy, and find her own strength as a budding leader.
A story about courage, grief, wonder, and embracing who you're meant to become.
.
✅ What Worked
1. Stunning production design worthy of a storybook
2. Mackenzie Foy's gentle, grounded performance as Clara
3. Keira Knightley's delightfully bizarre Sugar Plum Fairy
4. The jaw-dropping Four Realms visuals
5. James Newton Howard's sweeping, magical score
6. A modern, empowering arc for Clara
7. Strong costume work: opulent, colorful, imaginative
.
❌ What Didn't Work
1. Story feels thin compared to the world-building
2. The villain twist is predictable for some viewers
3. Emotional beats don't fully land
4. Tonal shifts between whimsical and dark are abrupt
5. Occasional pacing stalls
6. Underuse of ballet elements
7. Some characters fade into the background too quickly
.
💬 Favorite Moments / Quotes (Spoiler-Free)
1. Clara's breathtaking entrance into the Four Realms
2. The Sugar Plum Fairy's sugary-sweet (and slightly menacing) charm
3. The ballet performance explaining the realms' history
4. Clara and Phillip crossing the icy bridge
5. The mechanical toy soldiers sequence
6. Clara solving her mother's final puzzle
7. The emotional Christmas Eve closing
.
✨ Fun Facts
1. Misty Copeland performs the film's standout ballet sequences.
2. Filming used some of the largest practical sets ever built for a Disney fantasy film.
3. The story draws from both Hoffmann's original tale and Tchaikovsky's ballet.
4. Keira Knightley created her character's unusual voice using "a mix of sugar and helium" inspiration.
5. Over 100 different costumes were created just for the Four Realms residents.
.
👀 If You Liked This, You Might Also Enjoy
1. Maleficent
2. The Chronicles of Narnia
3. Alice Through the Looking Glass
4. Cinderella (2015)
5. A Wrinkle in Time
6. Beauty and the Beast (2017)
7. Pan
.
🎯 Final Thoughts
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms may not revolutionize the classic tale, but it brings it to life with shimmering, cinematic enchantment. A holiday fantasy filled with visual wonder, heartfelt moments, and enough magic to warm a winter night.
⭐ 5.2/10. A gorgeously imagined but narratively light holiday adventure wrapped in sparkling fantasy.
- DarklyDreamingFan
- Nov 18, 2025
- Permalink
So many holes and unanswered questions. They would bring up a topic for two seconds and then suddenly they're on a new topic. This movie was all over the place and I was left still asking questions that weren't answered. They should have done a little more backstory on the mom and how she found this place and how she found all the toys and why she wanted to make them real. Either a flashback or had someone tell Clara the story. Or why everyone was so against mother ginger, why the realms were at war, and why the key was important. The visuals were great, but they could have done more with the realm of amusements. Gave it more color and illusions and made it more circus like rather than dark and gloomy. This whole movie needs to be redone.
- girlforgod_06
- Dec 15, 2024
- Permalink
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is a Christmas fantasy film directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston. The film stars Keira Knightley, Mackenzie Foy, Eugenio Derbez, Matthew Macfadyen, Richard E. Grant, Misty Copeland, Helen Mirren, and Morgan Freeman.
On Christmas Eve, Clara realises that before dying, her mother left her with an inheritance to a magical world of fairies and toy soldiers that are alive. She holds the key to the fate of this world.
This is a typical film which can be easily categorized into a wasted opportunity. The film could've been made a wonderful Christmas film but somewhere missed.
The plot is decent and execution is average. The VFX is superb and visuals are appealing. The screenplay of the film looked disconnected and despite of stunning visuals i didn't found connected with the film.
A lot of viewers may like this film but i am not from them.
On Christmas Eve, Clara realises that before dying, her mother left her with an inheritance to a magical world of fairies and toy soldiers that are alive. She holds the key to the fate of this world.
This is a typical film which can be easily categorized into a wasted opportunity. The film could've been made a wonderful Christmas film but somewhere missed.
The plot is decent and execution is average. The VFX is superb and visuals are appealing. The screenplay of the film looked disconnected and despite of stunning visuals i didn't found connected with the film.
A lot of viewers may like this film but i am not from them.
- sauravjoshi85
- Dec 6, 2024
- Permalink
- watcher101
- Nov 3, 2018
- Permalink
Okay, so let us see, ACTING- Good, GRAPHICS- Excellent, STORY- Below Average, LOGIC- A big no ( I get it is a fairly tale, but come on).
So honestly, This is not a movie, it is an aesthetically pleasant mp4 file. Apt for children. You can watch it if there is nothing else to watch, but we all know there are :).
- manigarg0000
- Feb 21, 2021
- Permalink