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Enter the Four Realms and Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms had all the feels of Christmas

By Gwendolyn Dattage, St. George Macaroni Kid Publisher February 20, 2019

I watched a movie this last month that really brought out the little girl in me. When I was younger, I loved any Christmas that I got to sit and watch beautiful ballerinas dance the story of the Nutcracker, it always brought such a warm Christmas feeling to my little kid heart. To this day, going to see the Nutcracker brings back so many memories of Christmas, and this version did nothing less. Watching this movie made me want to wrap up in a blanket, grab some hot chocolate and sit next to the fire as the snow fell outside. So, I did just that... except for the whole, no snow thing- so I cranked up the AC so I could bundle up and watch the movie with all the warm fuzzies of Christmas time... in January with my daughter.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is not based off of the famous ballet that we go to the theatre to watch ever year, but the novella by E.T.A Hoffmann, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Clara (Makenzie Foy) is given a beautiful hand crafted egg-shaped box by her father on Christmas Eve that was left to her by her deceased mother. She can't open it, but there is a note left with it that says, "Everything you need is inside". Drosselmeyer, Clara's godfather (Morgan Freeman) knows exactly what it is that she is given and sends her on a journey into the Four Realms where she learns more about her mother and the Realms that she once loved. There she meets Captain Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), Snow (Richard E. Grant), Flowers (Eugenio Derbez), Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), and the Sugar Plum Fairy (Keira Knightley) who are all part of the twisted journey to save the four realms.

Now, just because the movie wasn't based on the ballet, doesn't mean that the movie doesn't include any ballerinas. Misty Copeland is featured in a ballet scene portraying the mother's story of finding the four realms. It is stunning to watch and really brings a beautiful moment to this quirky movie.

Later in the movie... Actually, I am going to stop there so I don't give any spoilers away, other than to say, go and watch this darling, yet fun and exciting movie that will put you in a holiday mood even outside of the month of December.

Those who know me know that I am not one to recommend many movies for fear that someone won't like the movie and I will have wasted their time. That is not the case for this one though. Go get the movie, which is out on Digital and Blu-ray, and watch it with your kids and family. It is a fun, enjoyable, and perfect movie for the whole family!

Watch the official movie trailer for the Nutcracker and the Four Realms and then follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more fun pictures and information about the movie! #DisneysTheNutcracker


As a costumer, I would be crazy not to comment on the costumes. And when I say comment, I mean rave! The costumes in this movie were stunning from start to finish between the Victorian dresses at the beginning to the whimsical and playful costumes of the regents. The colors and styles really gave each realm its own unique touch and fit the characteristics of all the different people.

My favorite take away of the movie though was the idea that everything you need is inside of you. I loved the empowerment for little girls to believe in themselves and find the good and the bad in friendships and as they learn trust and forgiveness.



Party Time!

Because this is such a darling show I threw a party filled movie screening at the local dance studio for 30 Nutcracker lovin' dancers! We had so much fun being pampered eating amazing Sugar Plum Fairy themed treats, watching this adorable movie, and going home with all kinds of Disney swag and giveaway prizes!




We had them start the movie in the small dance studio and then had an "intermission" where we surprised them with all kinds of treats (provided by the City Creek Kneaders), gifts, crafts, and pampered them the rest of the night! After they finished the rest of the movie we did giveaways and sent them home with tons of Disney swag and more treats! It was a fun night for all! 




A few thoughts from the girls:

"I loved the movie and my favorite character was Captain Phillip!"

"I can't wait to go home and watch this movie with my mom. She is going to LOVE it!"

"Mother Ginger was seriously my favorite. She was interesting and totally surprised me."

"I had the best time tonight. I want to have a Disney pajama party every weekend."

"I hope I get this movie for my birthday because Clara is just like me. Except I wear jeans."












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