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The Nutcracker Sweet
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Quirky animated version of classic; some jeopardy, scares.
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The Nutcracker Sweet
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What's the Story?
THE NUTCRACKER SWEET tells the tale of Marie and Fritz, two children who receive a special nutcracker from their godfather on Christmas Eve. Marie soon realizes that the nutcracker is magic: It comes alive before her very eyes, sending her and her little brother on an exciting adventure in the Kingdom of Marzipan and the Christmas Tree Forest. There, Marie and Fritz, after magically turning into toys themselves, become key players in an ongoing battle between the evil, multiheaded Mouse King, and the Nutcracker Prince, who must defeat him. Intercut with the ongoing tale, a wise owl that mans the children's household cuckoo clock narrates a backstory filled with princesses, evil curses, magic potions, and dashing heroes.
Is It Any Good?
Original animation, Tchaikovsky's classic score, and clever comic moments overcome an often-confusing story. Though their efforts were earnest in choosing to adapt the 1816 version of the tale, the filmmakers simply could not manage the challenges that the complex source material set before them. The story moves from the children's household to a brief narration (which uses alternate animation and then completely disappears) to a magic door and finally to a land of sweet wonder -- giant gumdrops, eerie trees, comic mice, evil mice, cookies, and swashbuckling battles. Amid the comic jeopardy (for example, a little boy careening on a giant snowball and a mouse humorously choking on a small pinecone), there are enough scares and scary images (for example, the menacing face and tone of the Mouse King) to make this best for kids who are fully comfortable with cartoon violence.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the central message of this film: the complexity of sibling relationships. Did the relationship between Marie and Fritz seem real? What did they learn about the truth of their mom's advice? In spite of differences and disagreements, do you always "have your sibling's back"?
Think about the two kinds of jeopardy in this movie: comic and serious. Did the filmmakers succeed in making you laugh at some of the danger and providing suspense at other times? Was it an entertaining combination?
This film was made in Peru, then revoiced for English-speaking audiences. Which characteristics, if any, make the movie feel or look different from those made in the U.S.?
How does this version of the Nutcracker tale differ from other ones you've seen? Which is your favorite?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: November 3, 2015
- Cast: Ed Asner , Drake Bell , Alicia Silverstone
- Director: Eduardo Schuldt
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Cinedigm
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Brothers and Sisters , Holidays , Music and Sing-Along
- Run time: 80 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 19, 2023
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