The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (Dir: Lasse Hallström & Joe Johnston, 2018). 

Originally posted on Instagram 11/03/19:  

I could easily fill this review with superlatives about the amazing production design of this movie. It is exquisite, as are the beautiful costumes. The effects work is also top quality. The estimated $120-130 million budget is right up on the screen for all to see. The entire film is a truly sumptuous feast for the eyes and is easily one of the best looking movies I have ever seen, if not the best. 

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is loosely based upon E T A Hoffman’s ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse’ and the Tchaikovsky ballet which also serves in part as the basis for the James Newton Howard score. It concerns a young girl (Mackenzie Foy) who travels Narnia-style from Victorian London to the otherworldly Four Realms in search of the key to an ornamental egg gifted to her by her late mother. Here she must re-unite the warring realms aided by the titular nutcracker and a fantastic cast including Helen Mirren, Richard E Grant and Keira Knightley hamming it up to great effect as the Sugar Plum Fairy. 

In spite of the excellent cast and stunning production Nutcracker is not entirely without its problems. Extensive re-shoots resulted in the duel director credit for Hallström and Johnston and at only 99 minutes it could easily withstand being a little longer. Indeed, the ballet itself is less prominent than expected and the Four Realms of the title are barely visited save for the Land of Amusements where most of the action takes place, possibly a sign of some hasty editing. 

Yet, this aside, I found much to enjoy in this extravagant fantasy and am baffled by the poor reception it received upon released. It isn’t perfect but it is beautiful to behold. With its Yuletide setting and general Christmassy vibe it may well find its audience through future festive television screenings. It is certainly a movie that deserves to be seen.