Barbie in the Nutcracker (2001)
On October 2, 2023 by CrescentAs Barbie’s first foray into the world of cinema, Barbie in the Nutcracker was highly-anticipated leading up to its release in 2001. Mattel wanted to make something special for the holiday season, and it succeeded and then some. Nutcracker was the start of something glorious for Barbie, and for the first journey onto the television screen, it truly was beautiful.
Story
As the name implies, this movie is an adaptation of the famous Nutcracker ballet. The plot has been adapted to fit the new framing of Barbie, and the changes all elevate the tale even higher. The story follows Clara, a young woman hoping to explore the world outside her stern grandfather’s home. She finds herself pulled into a world unlike anything she had ever imagined, and it changes her just as much as she changes it.
Every choice made in the story feels intentional, and the changes all come full circle in the end. For example, the titular Nutcracker is a prince who turned his back on his people in their hour of need due to his own cowardice, and his arc is about finding his bravery. The Sugar Plum Princess from the ballet has been given a concrete explanation and storyline that acts as the culmination of Clara’s arc. The spirit of the original ballet is maintained in this adaptation while still changing it enough to feel like something new.
The pacing of this movie is incredibly strong as well. Nothing ever feels like it drags, and given the number of dance sequences the plot needs to stop for, that is quite the impressive feat. Everything takes up exactly as much time as it needs, making this 80-minute movie feel just right in every way.
The story may not be out to reinvent the wheel, but it still brings a new twist to a classic tale that viewers of all ages can enjoy.
Story: 9/10
Characters
The two leads of the film, Clara and the Nutcracker, are captivating characters from the start. Clara wants to see and understand more of the world, and the Nutcracker wants to help liberate the kingdom of Parthenia from the reign of terror of the Mouse King. Beneath the surface, the Nutcracker is actually the prince of the kingdom, Eric, who lost his land because of his fear of the Mouse King. Clara and the Nutcracker are the perfect pair of leads, and they bounce off one another beautifully in arcs that feel natural and powerful.
The Mouse King is a strong villain as well, and while he’s not the best in the franchise, he’s still a fun time. Tim Curry does an amazing job of bringing him to life, though I will admit that I never would have expected to find him voice acting in an animated Barbie movie. Pim, the Mouse King’s henchman, is an entertaining sidekick too. Many animated sidekicks tend to fall into the trap of not being involved with the story enough, but Pim does more than enough to earn his place here, and his banter with the Mouse King is a joy to see.
Elizabeth Drosselmayer, Clara’s aunt, is another character I found myself liking a lot more than before on this rewatch. I never realized the owl that started Clara’s adventure was meant to be an echo of her aunt until now, and the two characters even share a voice actress. Elizabeth really is the one to start Clara’s adventure, and even if she’s uninvolved with the rest of the story, her giving Clara that first push is enough to make her character compelling.
The two weakest members of the main cast are without a doubt Major Mint and Captain Candy. Major Mint in particular tends to grate on my nerves sometimes, and while he’s charming in his own strange way, I’m not the biggest fan of him. I would have liked him better if he appeared less. Captain Candy had the advantage of a personal connection with Prince Eric and by extension the Nutcracker to make him a bit more interesting. However, he fell into the trap of being attached at the hip to Major Mint that left him stumbling more than he should have. I think the two characters are fine enough, but they’re the least charming and interesting of the bunch.
As a whole, the cast is strong, and while it may not be Barbie’s best, the characters are fun to follow throughout the movie.
Characters: 7/10
World Building
The story opens on the world we know in the Drosselmayer mansion. The natural banter of the characters present helps the viewer to feel comfortable and welcome in the world from the start. You can get a strong understanding of the dynamics and the world from the start, and while it is a historical piece, it’s still rather easy to get into.
The real star here is the kingdom of Parthenia where the bulk of the tale takes place. The colors are bright and vibrant, and the settings are creative with their candy highlights and pink glimmers. The fairies are bright and welcoming and a strong way to introduce the audience to the idea of magic as it exists in the kingdom. The first few citizens we meet are wearing outfits inspired by sweets and live in a small village of gingerbread, and it’s immediately charming. It’s a shame the rest of the townsfolk couldn’t follow that same example though; it would have gone a long way.
The kingdom has a nice history as well. The tale of the prince being cast aside in favor of the royal advisor establishes how the land got to this point well… Though it makes one wonder how the prince was turned into a nutcracker without the Mouse King seeming to know who he is. That small plot hole can be somewhat distracting, but it’s easy to forget it in the splendor of Parthenia.
The world is exciting and vibrant, feeling nostalgic and cozy even for those who have never ventured through the mice’s hole in the wall before.
World Building: 8/10
Themes
The primary theme of Barbie in the Nutcracker revolves around bravery. The story is framed in a way that has Barbie telling the story to a young girl named Shelly in an effort to encourage her to be confident in herself. At many points in the movie, Clara had every opportunity and reason to give up, but she never did. That persistence is an admirable lesson to teach young girls, though I will admit that it the idea of bravery feels somewhat distant from the idea of struggling to learn ballet steps. It’s a strong message, but its framing with the beginning and ending of the movie could have been better.
Themes: 8/10
Production
One thing that sticks out to you almost immediately after starting this movie is just how incredible the ambient lighting is. The cozy red glow of the Drosselmeyer home feels lived in, the soft blue of the snow drifts is gentle but cool, and the radiant pink of the finale acts as the pinnacle of triumph. Everywhere in Parthenia–and even the human world that builds up to it–comes with a new color of lighting that helps to make the story feel all the more magical.
The animation of this movie might not be quite as great as other movies from its time, but it certainly hits it out of the park when it needs to. The lighting is incredible and magical, and the two leading characters feel loved with every movement they make. However, the animation is far from perfect, and Major Mint and Captain Candy in particular didn’t get enough attention to make them really shine. The scene with the rock giant is especially poor in terms of animation, though that’s the worst it gets. I also wish all of the people in Parthenia had the same candy color scheme and colors as the two children we first meet. It would go a long way to bringing the world to life. The blend of 2D and 3D animation here doesn’t work as well as I wish it did. The two sides look fine on their own, but putting them onscreen at the same time is a bit less stunning. Even so, the animation is fine a strong majority of the time, and the motion captures really shine in the dances from the famous ballet.
The voice acting is great here too. Every character sounds exactly as they should, and the lines are delivered clearly and with character. Kelly Sheridan, the voice of Barbie and Clara, would go on to voice the protagonist of many other Barbie movies, and it’s easy to see why. She does an incredible job from the first minute of the film, and the rest of the cast knocks it out of the park as well. It’s amazing for a debut film in a new franchise.
The music is largely taken from the ballet this movie shares its name with, and the arrangements are all stunning. The music gives new life to the dancing scenes in particular, going a long way to bring the lively world of the film to life. It really helps to keep that Nutcracker magic alive even with the changes made to the story and characters.
The production on this movie is incredibly strong with its voice acting, music, and lighting, and while the animation is strong, it leaves something to be desired at times.
Production: 8/10
Overall
I loved getting lost in the world of Barbie in the Nutcracker, and I can certainly see why it spawned such an expansive movie franchise. The story is a nice twist on a classic tale, the characters are fun and exciting, and the world feels nostalgic even to newcomers. This movie is a perfect Christmas classic, yes, but it’s great to watch at any other time of the year too. If you’re thinking about watching this movie and haven’t yet seen it, I highly suggest checking it out when you get the chance.
Overall: 8/10
Silly Superlative: Barbie movie with the most misogynistic gay man (Major Mint)
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