Despite having all the elements of a traditional fairy tale – a princess who is unaware of her true position, toys that come to life, kingdoms at war with one another, and opulent, extravagant costumes- Disney’s ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ is unquestionably a “misfire.”
Known as an age-old musical which continues to be performed over and over again during the season, ‘The Nutcracker’ is a story which has been told and retold across the years in almost every part of the world. This version of the timeless story essentially eschews that strategy in favour of visual pageantry. However, unfortunately for all those who would have expected a memorable visual feast with big names of Academy Award winners like Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman adorning the list, the production is quite dull story-wise. There is little character development though visually pleasing, ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ does little to support a formulaic plot, despite all the eye candy.
Both the 1892 Tchaikovsky ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ and Alexandre Dumas’ adaptation of ETA Hoffmann’s classic tale ‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’ served as inspiration for this 2018 Christmas classic.
The story is as follows. Clara Stahlbaum does not fit the stereotype of a typical Victorian girl. She enjoys solving puzzles and is skilled with mechanical tools. She is perplexed when her late mother leaves her an elaborate egg on Christmas Eve that needs to be unlocked. Therefore, she sets out to inquire about this enigmatic gift from her godfather, Drosselmeyer. She is unaware that he possesses special abilities. He takes her to a fantastical realm where Mother Ginger has been exiled by the Land of Sweets, Land of Snowflakes, and Land of Flowers due to her deceitful behaviour. Suddenly, Clara finds herself in a world where she must not only locate the key but also bring harmony and peace back to the Four Realms.
Elizabeth Banks’ performance in ‘The Hunger Games’ appears to have served as the model for Keira Knightley’s Sugar Plum Fairy.
Impressive
The portrayal of the run-down, rodent-infested Realm of Amusements, a segregated space governed by Mother Ginger, is one example of an impressive set piece in this movie. Mother Ginger’s main goons, a group of matryoshka-doll clowns who startlingly burst out of one another with the sickest of giggles, confront Clara within the area. These are visuals at their best as they are realistically portrayed to add just the right dose of horror to make this an enchanting watch. Sadly, the film falls victim to the predictability of Disney’s use of war to give its modern fantasies a thrilling narrative backbone. As a result, the beauty of such details is obscured by the monotonous spectacle of toy soldiers being sent in waves to battle Mother Ginger’s armies of mice and clowns.
The renowned Misty Copeland is another treat in this film. If you have no idea who she is, prepare to be astounded. Ballet’s current monarch is none other than Misty Copeland. Ms. Copeland is one of the first African American women to be a principal dancer in a major ballet company. She has long been a voice for minority women and ballet. She appears in the movie’s snippets of the real Nutcracker ballet as the lead ballerina.
Christmas atmosphere
Another plus point in connection with this film is that the score is stunning. It was very clever to incorporate ballet into the story and use Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker tune. The film’s colours contribute to its Christmas atmosphere, and the computer-generated imagery is excellent.
It’s a visual feast, with stunning sets, costumes, and design, as well as a ballet break in the middle of the movie featuring prima donna Misty Copeland. You might occasionally even wish for a slightly smaller plot to absorb the story fully. Although there are obvious changes and alterations to the story – both Joe Johnston and Lasse Hallström are given credit as directors. ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’ essentially tells a story about loss and grief and how to move on despite undergoing such feelings.
