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The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
2018 99 min United States of America PG 6+
★5.3
Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Director: Lasse Hallström, Joe Johnston
🎭 Based on
«The Nutcracker and the Mouse King»
byE. T. A. Hoffmann
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
Description
When Clara’s mother leaves her a mysterious gift, she embarks on a journey to four secret realms—where she discovers her greatest strength could change the world.
Budget:
$120M
US Gross:
$54.86M
Worldwide:
$173.96M
Starring
Mackenzie Foy
Actor
Keira Knightley
Actor
Morgan Freeman
Actor
Awards
1 win & 8 nominations total
Key opinion
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is widely regarded as a visually stunning, high-budget spectacle that excels in production design and musical score. However, critics and audiences remain largely disappointed by its hollow, disjointed screenplay and its loose, often controversial departure from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s original source material.
| Production | The film features lavish, high-quality production design, costumes, and visual effects that effectively create a vibrant, fairy-tale atmosphere. | |
| Score | The soundtrack successfully incorporates Tchaikovsky’s iconic compositions, providing a grand musical foundation for the film. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is frequently criticized for being thin, poorly structured, and lacking the emotional depth of the original story. | |
| Adaptation | The film’s departure from the traditional source material—including casting choices and narrative alterations—is seen by many as forced or culturally tone-deaf, while others view it as a fresh, albeit loose, modern adaptation. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing are split; some viewers find the slow, contemplative nature of the middle act relaxing and atmospheric, while others find it boring and lacking in sufficient action. |