User Reviews

My daughter saw this at daycare and talked about it for days. We rented it and it was much better than expected. It is short enough (78 minutes) to hold her attention. The show holds up well for repeated adult viewing. But make no mistake, this is a kid's movie, not good enough for an adult to watch on their own.

This film is exactly what you'd expect from a Barbie Nutcracker adaptation from 2001. The animation and the plot are pretty basic but it's still a good story with an intense condensation of the original ballet. It doesn't pretend to be anything more than it really is and it exceeds at being itself.

It's a great movie to watch when you have free time of course it's not the best movie even if you search for animation movies but it's good at his own

As I sat through this movie with my girlfriend and her nieces, I became gradually aware of how this film succeeds: it's invincible. Completely critic-proof. What can I say against this movie, exactly? Whine about how I don't like Barbie?

It's basically a modernized (and nauseatingly politically correct) take on The Nutcracker, throwing Barbie into one of the lead roles for pretty much no reason (unless you count bankability). Of course, it's a kids' flick, and relies on sparse, simple dialogue and spare editing to convey the action. It definitely works well; the girls ate it up and came back for seconds.

This is a rather interesting computer-animated movie. While it's noticeably lower-budget than Toy Story and Shrek, the visuals have a sort of subtle charm. The vast landscapes are quietly serene and beautiful without becoming overwhelming. Sometimes the motion-captured characters are placed against a flat 2D background, giving one severe flashbacks to the early days of the Playstation.

Bottom line: If you're a girl age four to ten, you'll likely enjoy every minute. Barbie's voice actress and Tim Curry as the Rat King are worth noting.

I would like to say that this is the OG Barbie that brought us to watch other Barbie movies. But... I think the storyline in this movie is pretty simple and cliché. The story where the prince gets cursed and is saved by the princess is pretty mediocre for me. The plus point in this movie lies in the selection of the soundtrack, Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky. This story is fun to be enjoyed by children but not for teenagers to adults.

I am 16, and I am not afraid to say, that this is the best Barbie movie, absolutely perfect for kids and adults alike. Sure it isn't at all faithful to the beautiful immortal story by ETA Hoffmann, but that shouldn't be an excuse for not enjoying this beautiful film. The animation is gorgeous, and the film itself is severely underrated. The best animation sequence was the fantastic ballet duet between Clara and Eric, when it is revealed so cleverly that she is the Sugar Plum Princess. The music, adapted from the Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky was the best thing about the movie. I recognised every single piece played, and it perfectly matched the animation, which hardly ever happens in non-Disney movies. The story was based on the ballet, and they so cleverly extended it to keep the audience's interests. It has a fast-paced story line, that completely gripped me. Great voice talents as well. Kelly Sheridan and Kirby Morrow are wonderful and deliver the screenplay perfectly. Tim Curry steals the show as the Mouse King, both sinister and funny at the same time. He did everything possible with the witty screenplay, which had lots of humour. (seen especially with the relationship between Major Mint and Captain Candy, who were hilarious) Fantastic! Compulsory for young ballet lovers.10/10Bethany Cox

This is how a kids movie should be, I'm sad that kids nowadays don't get to experience movies like this, actually containing great classical music. This was my first ever Barbie movie and I got it on VHS. Of course it had its boring parts (like the dancing) but that just taught me to have patience which kids nowadays don't seem to have much of. It wasn't really any point of using the fast forward button since the remotes back then were slow and just meant that you missed important parts.

Cartoon's doesn't age very well and this is not an exception, but I will always have this movies close to my heart.

It was actually pretty interesting to see where this lengthy series started. I think there have been at least ten direct-to-video Barbie movies in this series. You would think that this one would set up an ongoing story. No such luck. Of course, I don't really think Barbie has much of a mythology, at least not when compared to other toys. I mean, Transformers and G. I. Joe should at least be given credit for having spinoffs that have somewhat of an ongoing story. I guess it's because I'm just a man. I never played Barbie as a kid. I remember first learning about these by seeing all of them listed on Knology On Demand.

All I know is that Ken is her boyfriend (possibly husband?). This movie is a retelling of "The Nutcracker" with Tim Curry voicing the mouse king. I really like him in this role and I now realize he was the voice of Nigel Thornberry all along! I guess I'm not that familiar with the original story. I didn't see some of these twists coming. Then again, I heard this is actually weak compared to a lot of the other movies! It's really weighed down by the animation. This looks really ugly. I guess seeing as how they're literally toys it makes sense they would look like this. Still, not for me. **

I was amazed to see the low rating this movie was given! My daughter absolutely loves it. The movie highlights real ballet steps and the original Tchaikovsky score, performed by th London Symphony. The plot is sweet, Barbie is a good role model, and there's a wonderful message. It also almost completely non-violent. The evil rat is wonderfully voiced by Tim Curry. I thought this Barbie movie was much better than Rapunzel but it's certainly rated lower. I have to echo some other comments by saying I've seen it around 100 times with my 2 year old and it's still not completely boring!

Although I've watched only the last half of this picture (browsing the TV accidentally on a Xmas afternoon), it caught my attention and I've got involved aesthetically and emotionally into the classical plot and superb musical score by Tchaikowsky. Computerized animation (not at all excessive neither overwhelming) made possible unimaginable camera flights, achieving points of view that no privileged spectator can afford, accompanying the lifelike ballet or making possible exquisite sceneries. I've never played with Barbie doll, but this one doesn't look like plastic and surely touched my heart! Get many handkerchiefs ready...

I was 19 when I saw this on Thanksgiving 2001, too old, perhaps, but I love "The Nutcracker" and had to make sure they didn't butcher it. To my surprise, it was an enjoyable, tasteful version of the ballet! Even though I've come to hate Barbie, she's not as bimbo-esque as they've made her to be over the years. Shocking still, Clara was actually a positive role model for young girls. Clara isn't your typical 14-year-old (I THINK that's how old the character was). She's more interested in travel and excitement than romance. She's also sweet, spunky, and brave, a nice modern girl.

There are new touches up the wazoo, but don't worry. There's still a ballet and love story to tell. For once, it's Barbie you can be proud of. So sit back come Christmas, relax, and let your young girls enjoy "Barbie in the Nutcracker"!

I have seen or heard this movie at least 50X. Why? I have 2 year old twins (boy/girl)...say no more. Nonetheless, this is a pretty good movie. both my daughter and my son enjoy this movie (she likes barbie, he likes the mouse king, a.k.a. Christmas Rat). I strongly suggest this flick. Not cloying like say, Dragontales, not annoying like Barney. Tim Curry must have had a ball making this movie. And even though is does play fast and loose with the traditional Nutcracker, it still has great music and wonderful, albeit animated, ballet dancing.

Such a classic Barbie movie. I watch this every Christmas!

This computer animated movie is a must for everyone. Especially for those who are intrested in computer animations. This is one of the best computer animated movie i have ever seen in my life. The graphics and the textures are good. The movement of the characters is a story for itself. The model movements look VERY realistic thanks to motion capture technology (watch the dance scene at the end of the movie. It is awesome!) The story is also good. It is actually written for children, yet teenagers or adults can enjoy it too. The story has kinda the taste of "alice in wonderland". And also, I never thought that "Barbie" would have such *normal* personality since it is actually a toy which was designed for innocent/naive pre-preteen girls. Action and fun, All in one. watch it!

This film will always be iconic. It is iconic because of the scenery,ballet dancing and the animation. The message is really good and it is simple to follow. I love the twist in the end. A great Christmas story to be told

No hero is worth his salt without a great villain, and no actor is better at playing an animated villain than Tim Curry.

Yeah, the animation's nice for a 2001 project and yeah, it's basically a feature-length advertisement for the deluge of toyetic characters and props that it features, but you know what? They put their all into making it as entertaining an ad for toys as G.I. Joe or Transformers ever were. The story's pretty solid, the action's not to bad, Barbie is a surprisingly interesting character in her role as Clara. But by far the best element in this film is Tim Curry as the Mouse King, who you have to wonder why ANYONE would leave their kingdom and magic scepter to inherit. My only real complaint about this film are the deviations from the source material. Don't get me wrong, most of them work but a few are clearly there to pad out the movie or shoehorn in more of Tchaikovsky's original Nutcracker score.

But, seriously, if nothing else, watch this film for Tim Curry. Playing power-hungry, deliciously evil villains are when he's at his very best, and the Mouse King is no exception.

10/10 (for what it is.) I enjoyed this for years as a young girl in the late 1990's and its cute and nostalgic to watch today! Definitely a great film for kids, has a lot of different things going on but is easy for younger kids to enjoy as well. Can't believe how some people are reviewing it on here. No its not going to win any awards, but its great for what it is: an adorable, but sophisticated movie for children to enjoy! I'm keeping this in my collection to show my friends future kids when I babysit. Could be enjoyable for adults to watch with the children, it doesn't come across as "stupid" like some other children's movies and shows

In fact, they're watching it in the other room right now. My 19 mo son really likes it (better than his twin sister). And my 7 yo daughter likes it too. I've seen it...well, probably more times than I'd like to admit, and like most of these kids shows, i.e. Disney sing-a-longs, Veggie Tales, ect., they tend to grow on you... I find myself singing some of the songs... As for this one...if you think it's going to be the story you'd see at the ballet, you'd be wrong, but the music you'd go to the ballet for is the same and it's timeless. It's sweet and probably geared towards girls. Get it for your 18 mo - 7 year old kids, they'll like it.

I've been watching the movie ever since I was a little girl. The music is outstanding and My nieces LOVE the movie as well. My favorite is the ending ballet with Clara and Prince Eric. Absolutely Beautiful!

Cinematic masterpiece. Solid 10/10. Would reccomend for when your getting your hip back into place. This animation was disappointing however I will excuse it because it was like, in the year 2000. Best movie I've seen. Would've been an eleven of not for the animation.

This adaptation is the closest we will ever get to a "Accurate Nutcracker" movie Tim Curry as the Mouse king will send chills down your spine.

A nice and enchanting animated film. The only problem I had was that English accents were chosen for the only 3 disturbing characters - the two villains and the hypocritical Captain Candy. Somebody have an issue there? The motions were clearly based upon some kind of real-world motion capture, and thus did not have the faky non-gravity quality of much computer-generated 'footage' of living beings.

I get it, it's a Barbie movie and maybe not everyone's cup of tea. But this as well as other early Barbie movies introduced my daughters and got them loving classical music from an early age. This has been a family favorite for years. My kids knew and enjoyed this story and music and beg to see stage productions of the ballet year over year. 20 years later this is still a family favorite! Highly recommend this movie as well as other Barbie classics (Swan Lake, Princess and the Pauper, Rapunzel, 12 Dancing Princesess) for introducing young kids into traditional stories that seem to have been lost to more recent generations.