The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Another attempt for Disney to raid the archive for themes they can use for live action movies, “Nutcracker and the Four Realms” imposes a period fantasy narrative on the Tchaikovsky ballet previously featured in “Fantasia” to mixed results. This has the same girl-coming-of-age-enters-a-damaged-fantasy-land-that-she-can-repair dynamics as the recent “Alice in Wonderland” live action film, and while it’s nice to have a fantasy land that’s Russian-themed (and exposition via ballet), this still sits somewhere below a skilful recreation. Mackenzie Foy has all the externals that a good girl heroine should (she’s inventive and brave and succeeds by her wits far more than any physical skills), but she’s a little stodgy. The supporting cast has a few entertaining turns – in particular, Keira Knightley grabs the opportunity to turn her performance up to 11 as a delightfully hammy Sugar Plum Fairy – silly, sultry and far more exciting than I’ve seen Knightley be previously. But this doesn’t quite make it as quality family entertainment – it’s all a little too desperate to fit into the mould of what’s worked previously, and just not enough fun when Knightley’s not on screen.