LET THE MYSTERY UNFOLD.Â
After the death of her mother, Clara (Mackenzie Foy) ends up in a magical world where she learns that not everything is what it seems… This 3D reimagining and combination of the 1816 story and the 1892 Petipa/Tchaikovsky ballet looks gorgeous, but the stunning technical details can’t conceal the fact that this formulaic version feels like another typical Disney take on ”Alice in Wonderland”. Still, we get a few scattered inventively effects-laden scenes and creepy Matryoshka doll-inspired clowns; Keira Knightley is worth a look as the high-pitched Sugar Plum Fairy.
2018-U.S. 99 min. Color. Directed by Lasse Hallström, Joe Johnston. Short Story: E.T.A. Hoffman (”The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”). Cinematography: Linus Sandgren. Production Design: Guy Hendrix Dyas. Costume Design: Jenny Beavan. Cast: Keira Knightley (Sugar Plum Fairy), Mackenzie Foy (Clara Stahlbaum), Jayden Fowora-Knight (Philip), Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Richard E. Grant.
Trivia: Since Hallström was unavailable for the extensive reshoots, Johnston replaced him; they agreed to share directing credit.