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tigerb
Reviews
The IMAX Nutcracker (1997)
Disappointing
A weak script replaces the ballet in this version of E.T.A. Hoffman's holiday tale. I was prepared to deal with the modernization and eagerly awaited the mouse invasion and the battle with the toys... but instead of a reasonable action scene the movie serves up chaotic scrambling around and people in very silly mouse suits in a set that looks about ten feet wide. Despite the possibilities of movie magic, there's no attempt to transform the Nutcracker into the prince -- just a cut. Clara's constant voice-overs explaining the action are also frustrating. What dancing remains is mostly awkward and staged in a very cluttered way. A Nutcracker without extended ballet numbers should only be as long as the plot supports... perhaps 30 minutes? This is a drawn-out, dull piece of fluff.