A Reel Review: THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS

The latest version of The Nutcracker is another major studio release this year that saw troubles behind the cameras. Lasse Hallstorm (THE CIDER HOUSE RULES) directed most of the film, and later on Joe Johnston (CAPTAIN AMERICA) was brought on to film reshoots that went on for over a month. Switching directors is never a good sign, but here we are…

On Christmas Eve, young Clara (Mackenzie Foy) is given a mysterious locked egg as the final gift from her recently deceased mother, with no key. Later that night, her godfather Drosselmeyer (Morgan Freeman), sends her on a quest to find it, which leads her to the hidden, magical world called The Four Realms, which is in turmoil with a feud going between Sugar Plum Fairy (Keira Knightly), and Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren). 

THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS is based on two different novels based on the classic Nutcracker story. The film has a lot going on; Clara in her own coming-of-age story, a world under threat, along with discovering the secret of the locked egg and what her mother was really up to all these years in secret (hint: it had something to do with the Four Realms). The film is high-concept fantasy, with the Four Realms offering adventures with swarming mice, menacing Tin Soldiers, wild contraptions, and creepy bouncing clowns. 

With wild visuals and creatures running about, NUTCRACKER wants us to be awe, and it succeeds to a point, but stops short of getting us fully invested. Not enough time is spent fleshing out this magical world, and it’s tough to care if the world is saved or not. Emotional bonds between the characters is very thin, and the script only does just enough to get characters from place to place. The plotting also seems way too complicated for a fantasy, although it does have one whopper of a twist that turns the film on its head. 

While NUTCRACKER may be thin in character, it is thick in visual impact. The movie looks gorgeous, and the visual effects ranging from CGI and practical look great. The set design and costumes look very authentic, and the execution of the fantasy creatures, most especially the Tin Soldiers, is excellent. Not one to forget its roots, the film has the classic Nutcracker musical themes, and presents a backstory via a ballet performed by Misty Copeland. The Christmas-time setting merely serves as a bookend to the film; other than the beginning and end it doesn’t feel like a holiday film at all. Worst of all, the Nutcracker himself doesn't have much to do with anything. 

Acting is very good despite the thin script. Mackenzie Foy, who was only 16 at the time of filming, is fantastic and shows great promise. Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren are their usual excellent selves. Kiera Knightly acts cartoonish and ridiculous for most of the film, and her high-pitched voice takes some getting used to, but eventually a reason for that is revealed and all can be forgiven. Jayden Fowara-Knight plays the Nutcracker who befriends Clara and has as much charisma as a walnut. 

Of all the many Nutcracker versions there have been over the decades, this is the one that easily looks the best and has the most eye-candy, but it overall feels hollow. Worth it for the visuals but not much else. 

BOTTOM LINE: Rent it