[usr 4]
A young girl is transported into a magical world of gingerbread soldiers and an army of mice.
This movie gave me a feeling that I was actually going to see a live musical performance of “The Nutcracker” ballet but it’s actually a Nutcracker performance onscreen as opposed to a stage productions. “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is based on “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” by E. T. A. Hoffmann and “The Nutcracker” by Marius Petipa, who is known for his work in ballet and choreographed productions. The story of “The Nutcracker” has become a part of popular culture since its origins in the 1800s. Walt Disney Studios introduced the beloved tale that would bring children the spirit of “The Nutcracker” to the magical world of the Four Realms.
The film centers on a young girl named Clara (portrayed by Mackenzie Foy) who has a sole purpose in fulfilling her wishes to find her mother. She, with the help from her Nutcracker friends, must find a way to restore the Nutcracker world and get back home.
Mackenzie Foy and supporting actor Jayden Fowora-Knight, who made his debut in this full-length motion picture, their chemistry works as a natural attraction and an understandable meaning of connection. Foy’s character knows when to flow in conflicts and emotion in telling a dramatic story that brings down the surprise not only to the audiences but also the supporting cast. Foy also carries a strong feminist role compared to Storm Reid’s character in “A Wrinkle in Time.”
Keira Knightley, who plays the Sugar Plum Fairy, does the funniest, yet cheekiest job ever as a major key role in the film. She is great on providing crucial moments on Foy’s and Knight’s characters. The other supporting cast includes Eugenio Derbez, Richard E. Grant, and Oscar-winner, Helen Mirren (“The Queen”), have done a great job keeping the pace onscreen with Foy’s character.
I know the film has reached over the praised meter, Fame ballet dancer Misty Copeland shares some great screen time as the Ballerina. Copeland’s Ballerina character brings the whole house down by becoming the centerpiece of the puzzle.
Also in a small supporting role is the legendary Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby,” “The Dark Knight” trilogy, “Now You See Me”) who become an important key figure in the film despite his appearance at the beginning and at the end. Not to mention the music is very fitting to this Nutcracker tradition. Composer James Newton Howard, who composed “The Dark Knight” trilogy, cherishes the Christmas tradition to the audience of having the Nutcracker music piece in the film and knows the value of how they can be progressed, based on other Nutcracker films. He did such an amazing job of conducting the Nutcracker orchestra.
Also amazing is Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan, who has done a remarkable job of crafting the costumes and dresses for the characters. These onscreen costumes brought a colorful and delightful twist to the movie that makes the kids adopt a cheery, colorful atmosphere in the theater. Don’t forget, directors Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston have done a good job on their directing styles too. They never go wrong on making such a fine, twisty move to helm this spectacular presentation.
However, the one thing that drives the film off course is the overuse of CGI as special effects. The CGI is something that takes away the characters’ development, which lacks depth in the film. Compared to Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland,” the directors also overdid it to several characters, receiving special effects and CGI as a way of the characters’ looks and performing any action. Disney and Tim Burton thought about making a great film but it easily backfired on him and the studio, despite the box-office success.
Overall, “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is a very entertaining movie. It would be an easier decision to select a Christmas film that will enhance your experience through the deeper parts of the Nutcracker ballet pieces. If you love Christmas movies so much, I say go there and enjoy it as part of your holiday tradition. I still like the film but the overuse of CGI made me somewhat dissatisfied, like having too many eggs in one basket.
In theaters Friday, November 2nd
