The Nutcracker and The Four Realms Parental Review
Earlier this week I attended a screening of the newest holiday film, Disney’s Nutcracker. The movie opens nationwide on November 2. Is Disney’s Nutcracker family friendly? Here’s my Nutcracker and the Four Realms parental review covering what you need to know if you plan on taking the family to this holiday movie!
Alright, Halloween is over. Barely, but November 1 officially brings Christmas songs and holiday baking to my house.
As the saying goes: time marches on, and I’m following the Nutcracker Captain into the Christmas holiday season. Starting with Disney’s Nutcracker.
I think everyone knows the basic story of the classic ballet, The Nutcracker. Or most people know some of it, and probably are familiar with the music if nothing else.
It seems that most of my friends have either had a role in the ballet as a kid or are taking their children to rehearsals all of November! You guys sure do love the Nutcracker.
I’m sharing my thoughts on the movie and answering some of the most asked questions about taking your kids to this movie.
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The Nutcracker and The Four Realms Parental Review
Synopsis:
All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world.
It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world.
Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Disney’s new holiday feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston, and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale.
Is Disney’s Nutcracker just like the ballet?
No, it is not. There are elements that factor into the story, but it is not a full-on ballet production.
How much ballet is in Disney’s Nutcracker?
Not as much as I wish! But I knew that going in. I assumed there would be some nods to the ballet, but that the movie was not a rehash of the ballet itself.
I adore Misty Copeland, the stunning dancer who is featured in the movie.
Copeland a short but memorable appearance on the screen and she comes back for an “encore” so to speak during the credits. So be sure to stick around if you are a Misty fan!
I could probably watch a whole Misty Copeland movie. Her elegance is eclipsed only by her strength – and I could watch her all day. Her scene was by far my favorite part of the movie.
Is Disney’s Nutcracker scary?
There is a dark factor in the movie, for sure. Even for adults.
Mother Ginger is an impressive and dominating figure. I couldn’t stop staring at her makeup- it’s amazing!
But she also makes you worried about Clara a few times and her Amusement Realm is pretty ominous in a creepy clown sort of way.
If you have any issues with clowns or mice (raises hand- I need to tell that story someday!) then you might flinch a few times. But nothing too scary that should have you or the kids fleeing the theater.
Is Disney’s Nutcracker family-friendly?
That’s always the question I’m asked when I review a new movie. Is this kid friendly? And what ages should my kids be to see Disney’s Nutcracker? Here’s my Disney’s Nutcracker and the Four Realms parental review.
For the most part, I’d say this is an entertaining movie and fun for the whole family.
Don’t go in thinking it’s a perfect movie, because it’s not. But it’s definitely worth watching in the movie theater because it’s GORGEOUS.
I think it will be added to your annual Disney Christmas Movies list- it’s definitely on mine! Maybe not an all-time favorite, but it’s still wonderfully entertaining.
And the costumes? Swoon!
My youngest daughter is 7 and she was delighted by the entire film. There were times she was clapping, times she legit laughed out loud, and when it was finished, she asked to go see it again.
She was the most enthusiastic by far.
The older kids were entertained as well and even asked if we could go see the full ballet now!
I didn’t hear any inappropriate language, but the family in the movie is dealing with the recent death of the mother (I know, I know… Oh, Disney!).
So if your small child is sensitive to parental death, that could be an issue to consider before you see the movie.
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THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS opens in theatres everywhere on November 2nd!
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Patty Holliday is a parent movie reviewer, writer, and podcaster living in the Washington, DC area. Her goal is to bridge the gap between casual fandom and picky critic with parent movie and television reviews. As a lifelong fangirl and pop culture connoisseur, she’s been creating online since 2009. You can find her work at No-Guilt Disney.com, No-Guilt Fangirl.com, No-Guilt Life, and as host of the top-rated No-Guilt Disney Podcast.
