We attended an advance screening of this film. All opinions are our own.

“All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Disney’s new holiday feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is directed by Lasse Hallström and Joe Johnston, and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale.”-Disney

Mackenzie Foy is Clara, Keira Knightley is Sugar Plum Fairy, Jaden Fowara-Knight is Phillip, Eugenio Derbez is Hawthorne and Richard E. Grant is Shiver in Disney’s THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS.

I love the Nutcracker ballet. I have been excited to see Disney’s version of the traditional tale. Although it was different than I thought it was going to be, I did enjoy watching The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.

I thought that the film had a fun storyline. Although the movie was a different story than the ballet, the filmmakers included some links to the original story. It sort of reminded me of what Disney did with their recent Alice in Wonderland movie franchise.

I loved the music in the movie. The score had some original music but I loved that the Nutcracker music by Tchaikovsky was included in several parts throughout.

Visually, this movie was spectacular. I loved the production design and all of the costumes. It was a beautiful film to watch.

By far, my favorite part of the film was the ballet performance featuring Misty Copeland. She was absolutely gorgeous. It was incredible to watch. I wish that this sequence would have been longer in the film. There are more ballet and other dance sequences during the credits as well.

Misty Copeland is the Ballerina Princess in Disney’s THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS.

Heidi saw the movie at the Red Carpet World Premiere in LA, here are her thoughts on the film;

“After seeing The Nutcracker and the Four Realms my first thought was, “I can’t wait for my 6-year-old daughter to see this movie, she is going to love it!” The movie has a magical feeling that I think young children will love. I felt like I was whisked away on a magical journey while I was watching it.

The costumes and sets were gorgeous and definitely whisked me away to a magical land.

I was surprised by the movie because it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. But I do like this modern version so I like to think of it as just that; modern with nods to the old classic. I agree with Nicole above, Misty Copeland was amazing to watch, but I also wish there had been more ballet. Mackenzie Foy is a very talented actress and I loved her as a strong and independent Clara.

Mackenzie Foy is Clara and Jayden Fowara-Knight is Phillip the Nutcracker in Disney’s THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS.

I think this movie is a great one to watch while cuddled up by the fire on a winters night year after year. A new holiday movie for the whole family!

Stay tuned for my interview posts with Misty Copeland and Mackenzie Foy coming next week. They were both so sweet in person and I can’t wait to share those with you.”-Heidi

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is rated PG “for some mild peril.” There were a few scary moments but I think that this film would be appropriate for the whole family. I think it is a great film to see together for the upcoming holiday season.