Jeri Jacquin
Coming to Bluray, DVD and Digital from directors Lasse
Hallstrom, Joe Johnston and Walt Disney Home Entertainment comes the delight of
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS.
It is Christmas Eve in Victorian London but not cheerful for
the Stahlbaum family. Mr. Stahlbaum (Matthew Macfadyen) tries to make the
holidays memorable but the sadness at the death of his wife Marie still holds
on. Daughter Clara (Mackenzie Foy) is not giving an inch of happiness where the
holidays are concerned.
Receiving a beautiful egg-shaped box from her Mother, Clara
is intrigued until she discovers that no one has the key to open it. There is a
note attached telling the young girl that inside is everything she would ever
need. Putting it away until later, the family leaves for the Christmas Eve ball
where she is thrilled to spend time with Drosselmeyer (Morgan Freeman).
Clara shows him the egg which he instantly recognizes
telling her that she will find a way to open it. Returning to the ball, the
young girl’s father is upset that she isn’t keeping with their traditions, such
as the father-daughter dance. Clara speaks horribly to him and knows she caused
pain.
That is when Drosselmeyer tells the children to find the
string with their name on it and at the end will be their presents! Clara finds
her and at the end she is shocked to find herself in another place all
together. Going through the strange snow forest she sees a key dangling from a
tree but a small mouse sees it sooner, grabs it and runs!
Trying to follow Clara comes across Captain Hoffman the
Nutcracker (Jayden Knight). Discovering who she is, he follows her into the
dark Land of Amusements
They are thrilled to meet Clara and are equally sad to learn
that their Queen has passed away. Embracing Clara they want her help in
protecting the kingdom from Mother Ginger. They show her the story of the land through
ballet explaining that Clara’s mother created this kingdom when she was a girl.
The Sugar Plum Fairy also shows Clara the inventions that would help them but
they need a key, the same key she has been looking for.
Helping the Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara learns that she is not
as sweet as she would seem and that Mother Ginger isn’t the bad character after
all. Now they must all come together to help the kingdom from the creations
being made with Clara’s mother’s invention.
It is time to save her mother’s kingdom!
Foy as Clara has definitely made her way clear from being a
very young half human-half vampire into an amazingly beautiful and talented
young lady. As a young girl who can not seem to grasp losing her mother, her
pain lashes out against those who truly love her. Discovering that her mother
was a queen of a realm of her own creation, Foy takes Clara on a journey
surrounded by beauty, danger and creativity. She is completely lovely in this
role.
Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy proves the old adage that
looks can be deceiving. Tricking an impressionable young girl is one thing,
going on an anger tangent of power is totally another. Not sure I can ever look
at this character again during the holidays and not be suspicious. It is definitely
a different role for Knightley and well done.
Knight as Captain Hoffman the Nutcracker is a soldier
dedicated to his post (even if it is in the middle of nowhere in snow). Once he
meets Clara and realizes who she is, it takes no time at all before he is
joining in on the adventure to save the kingdom. Knight is gentle and soulful
in this role.
Mirren as Mother Ginger is not about to let anyone show her
up – not even Clara. At least that is the way she seems at their first meeting.
Mirren is everything I love her to be but then again she is one of my favorite
actresses so it is a joy to watch her in this film. I have to say that I love
the wild red hair!
Macfadyen as Stahlbaum is a grieving husband who is trying
to be a good father to his children. Wanting to create a beautiful and
memorable Christmas, he is met with the hurt of a young daughter. Macfadyen is
perfect in this role as he continues his recent streak of role that stand out. Freeman
as Dosselmeyer is in on the secret of the realm and misses Clara’s mother
almost as much as she does. He has but one job and he does it exceptionally
well.
Other cast include Misty Copeland as the Ballerina Princess,
Anna Madeley as Marie Stahlbaum, Sergei Polunin as The Sweets Cavalier, Ellie
Bamber as Louise Stahlbaum, Tom Sweet as Fritz Stahlbaum, Jack Whitehall as
Harlequin and Charles Riley as The Mouse King.
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing
under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids
and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW
WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families
coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own
family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com
for their At Home titles!
The Bluray Bonus Extras Include On Pointe: Misty Copeland, Unwrapped THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR
REALMS, Music Videos ‘Fall On Me’ by Andrea Bocelli featuring Matteo Bocelli and ‘The Nutcracker Suite’ by Lang Lang as
well as Deleted Scenes.
The Digital Code is also included using Movies Anywhere –
watch Anywhere with the Movies Anywhere App for Download and Streaming.
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS is visually stunning in
the story that it is telling. That is important because although many have seen
the ballet version in some form, this is an amazing opportunity to see the
combination of ballet and live action. Exploring the characters even further
with vivid characters and graceful movement is a true treat.
This film in stunning Bluray is everything my family wants
to add to our growing family traditions. There is everything from wonderful
music, dancing, wild characters, fun, laughter, a little sadness, adventure and
an ending that we can all embrace.
It is a story of love, hope, loyalty, goodness and working together
to save something bigger than themselves – and isn’t that what we want not only
from the holidays but all year long? I think so.
In the end – let the mystery unfold!
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