Sandbox: DISNEY’S THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS movie review

Title: DISNEY’S THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS

MPAA Rating: PG

Directors: Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston

Starring: Keira Knightley, Mackenzie Foy, Eugenio Derbez, Matthew Macfadyen, Richard E. Grant, Misty Copeland, Dame Helen Mirren, and Morgan Freeman

Runtime:  1 hour 39 minutes

Release date: November 2nd (USA)

What It Is: A re-imagined version of the holiday classic story of Tchaikovsky’s ballet “THE NUTCRACKER”. 

What We Think: Disney does not disappoint with the visual effects in this film, which play a rather important part in the film. The extremely recognizable score of the classic ballet is also intermingled in the film in a seamless manner.

The film also pays homage to the ballet with the addition of ballet scenes performed by the incomparable Misty Copeland, the first African American principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater. 

The movie stars Mackenzie Foy in the role of Clara, Helen Mirren (as Mother Ginger), Keira Knightley (as the Sugar Plum Fairy), and Morgan Freeman (as Drosslemeyer), all of whom were excellent in their roles. The supporting cast including Jayden Fowora–Knight (as Philip, the Nutcracker). Richard E. Grant (as the Snow Realm King), and Eugenio Derbez (as the Flower Realm King) were all outstanding in their limited screen time. 

Our Grade: 3.5/5 – The movie is a great family movie that will get moviegoers in the holiday spirit.