The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Review

by Myla Tosatto

BAM! Just like that a new holiday classic is born! What am I so excited about, you ask? Disney’s The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. This ain’t your mama’s Nutcracker, let me tell you! Though everyone enjoys the classic ballet upon which this is based, everyone is going to LOVE this movie (it is rated PG for some reason so I guess littles won’t be able to love it quite yet). This version is more like an action adventure fantasy but even classical purists will enjoy it. The heart of Tchaikovsky lives on. The movie even comes with a beautiful built in score!

Did I mention that we have a new Disney Princess in Clara Stahlbaum (Mackenzie Foy)? She doesn’t perform ballet, but she wields a sword, commands an army and can outsmart just about anyone. I love a thoughtful Disney Princess. She is sent to the Four Realms by her late Mother and Godfather (Morgan Freeman). She meets the leaders of the realms: Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), Hawthorne (Eugenio Derbez), Shiver (Richard E. Grant) and Sugar Plum (Keira Knightley). Helping her on her adventure is Captain Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight).

Yes, there is a ballet. And it’s beautiful, so don’t worry. There are also mice, snowflakes, candy canes and NUTCRACKERS. It’s loosely based on the ballet, but it retains enough of the original vision to easily follow Clara’s story.

Lasse Hallstrom and Joe Johnston did a wonderful job directing this movie from Ashleigh Powell’s script. Every aspect of it looks amazing. Truly amazing. Disney obviously spared no expense and it shows. The costumes and sets are enough to make a grown woman cry with happiness.

Take your family to see this delight. Then, when it comes out on DVD or streaming, buy it. You will want to watch it every December, I promise.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is now playing in theaters. The release date was November 2, 2018! You can not only see it in Kansas City but you can see it nationwide!