George Balanchine's the Nutcracker

G

Released Nov 24, 1993

1h 32m

Kids & Family

Holiday

Musical

List

50%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this live-action adaptation of Tchaikovsky's fantastical ballet, young Marie (Jessica Lynne Cohen) awakens to find that toys and mice have grown much larger, and a villainous rodent ruler begins to torment her. Coming to Marie's aid, however, is the Nutcracker Prince (Macaulay Culkin) who protects her from the evil mouse amidst lively dance sequences. Also inhabiting this dreamy realm is the Sugarplum Fairy (Darci Kistler) and her dashing cavalier (Damian Woetzel).

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Well, at least Warner Bros. figured out that making a live-action Nutcracker film isn't worth the trouble since it was never about the plot. It was about the music and dancing so they just released a filmed version of a stage play instead. The choreography is great, the music is memorable and what little plot there is, most of the actors do okay communicating in body language. Shame they didn't take advantage of the film medium to capture the action in more unique angles that not even a front row seat would give you. But then again, this was long before Hamilton so maybe I shouldn't complain too much. Although it does have a feel unprofessional and better off seen at home than on the big screen. Seriously, there were times when I felt like I was watching the DVDs of my own primary school plays, only with far less breaking character to wave to my parents in the audience. And yes, Macaulay Culkin's in this and it was very much a case of stunt casting where I'm not even sure he even wanted to be there most of the time. Probably because of his father. Seriously, that guy wanted to put his son into virtually anything once Home Alone became a massive box office success. I'm not surprised that Culkin retired as soon as the first window of opportunity presented itself. This filmed version of the ballet is okay and is much better than Hollywood's attempts to make a big-budget blockbuster out of a practically plotless ballet but I think I'll stick with the Tom & Jerry film as my definitive version of the hard-to-adapt work.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It was OK, but would have been better without Macaulay Culkin as the Nutcracker prince. He was only added because of his Home Alone film. Seeing the little brat made it barely watchable.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Awesome! I loved it :)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is sooooooo good. The dancing is amazing. A true holiday classic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The ballet wasn't as good as I remembered it. I wished this was a proper Hollywood movie rather than a filmed stage show.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not the best it is not one I enjoy

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/28/18

Full Review

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Emile Ardolino

Director

Macaulay Culkin

The Nutcracker

Bart Robinson Cook

Drosselmeier

Jessica Lynne Cohen

Marie

Darci Kistler

The Sugarplum Fairy

Damian Woetzel

The Sugarplum Fairy's Cavalier

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The camera plants itself for a frontal view of the stage, and then there are closeups and reaction shots, all done by the numbers, generating no magic.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Pamela Bruce

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Macaulay Culkin, cast purely for marquee value, is particularly ill-at-ease as the Nutcracker Prince, doubtless distracted by visions of Nintendo games dancing in his head.

Rated: 1.5/4

Dec 29, 2018

Full Review

Ellen Dendy

Common Sense Media

Macaulay Culkin v. Mouse King in NYC Ballet treat.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 1, 2011

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 2, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this live-action adaptation of Tchaikovsky's fantastical ballet, young Marie (Jessica Lynne Cohen) awakens to find that toys and mice have grown much larger, and a villainous rodent ruler begins to torment her. Coming to Marie's aid, however, is the Nutcracker Prince (Macaulay Culkin) who protects her from the evil mouse amidst lively dance sequences. Also inhabiting this dreamy realm is the Sugarplum Fairy (Darci Kistler) and her dashing cavalier (Damian Woetzel).

Director: Emile Ardolino
Producer: Arnon Milchan
Screenwriter: Susan Cooper
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures, Atlantic Releasing Corp.
Production Co: Embassy International Pictures, Elektra Entertainment Group, Regency Enterprises
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Holiday, Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 24, 1993, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.5M
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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