Barbie in the Nutcracker Movie Review
Lesson in Kindness and Bravery
The movie is an animated adaption of E.T.A Hoffmann's classic Nutcracker with the London symphony orchestra performing the music of Tchaikovsky and the animation performed by dancers from the New York City Ballet.
The story begins with two ballerinas rehearsing, when the younger girl declares she will never learn her moves. Barbie tells her the story of Clara and her adventures with the Nutcracker.
Clara receives a wooden nutcracker as a Christmas present, but when the clock strikes midnight the evil mouse king attacks and the Nutcracker comes to life to fight the king. During the battle, the mouse king puts a spell on Clara, which shrinks her to the size of a mouse. She must return with the Nutcracker to look for the Sugarplum Princess because she is the only one who can break the mouse king's enchantment.
During the adventure, they rescue snow and garden fairies, as well as two children. Clara and Nutcracker are confronted by a mob, a rock giant and in the end they confront the mouse king himself.
Through each trial, Clara is compelled by kindness to be brave and clever. At one point she has the chance to give up and go home, which she considers, but she is the Nutcracker's only hope. This thought gives her the resolve to continue on the journey.
Nutcracker Rendition
Barbie in the Nutcracker is an interpretation of E.T.A Hoffmann's classic. During the movie, the fairies dance to music by Tchaikovsky, which are the songs most would associate with the Nutcracker Ballet. The fairies have been created with real-life movement of dancers from The New York City Ballet and choreographed by Peter Martins.
There are also scenes where members of the animated cast dance and near the end the Sugarplum Princess performs with the prince.
The ballerinas from the beginning of the movie perform at the end with the younger girl trying again and because of her hard work she is able to get all of the dance moves.
Special Features
Barbie in the Nutcracker is the first Barbie movie and was made in 2001. It runs for 78 minutes and is not rated.
Included on the DVD is a documentary titled Living a Ballet Dream, which is about eight ballerinas in the School of Ballet in New York City. They observe the girls through a normal day including going to school and travel afterward to the School of Ballet. The girls also talk about the work and dedication it takes to be a ballerina and their favorite aspects. Most girls mention the costumes and make-up. They also talk about their dreams of being one of the great ballerinas.
There is also a special feature that allows the kids to act with Barbie.
Barbie in the Nutcracker is a great kid's show. They learn the value of trying even when it is hard and not giving up. They also see that kindness and bravery often go hand in hand.
Barbie in the Nutcracker
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