The Bottom Line
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker is a classic story danced by a classic ballet company. Featuring extremely talented dancers of the New York City Ballet with narration by Kevin Kline, this is the perfect introduction to Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet.
Pros
- Top-notch choreography from the legendary George Balanchine
- Kid-friendly and easy to understand
- A talented cast of New York City Ballet dancers
Cons
- Lacks the spontaneity of a live performance
- Macaulay Culkin is not much of a dancer, but he does add star appeal
Description
- A filmed version of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
- Kid-friendly version of a classic ballet
- Breathtaking performances by several talented New York City Ballet dancers
Guide Review - Review of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
George Balanchine's amazing talent is showcased in this theatrical version of the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker Ballet. I don't think anyone could create a more creative, magical version of this enchanting ballet. With an elegant narration by Kevin Kline, the film is easy for kids to understand the story and identify the characters of the ballet.
The film features a talented group of NYC Ballet dancers including Darci Kistler as Sugar Plum Fairy, Kyra Nichols as Dewdrop, Wendy Whelan as Arabian Coffee, and Jessica Lynn Cohen as Marie. A young Macaulay Culkin stars as Marie's Nutcracker Prince, a role that doesn't require much dancing.
Besides overflowing with gorgeous costumes and scenery, the film features a large number of children, making it appealing to audiences of all ages. While the film lacks the spontaneity of a live performance, the theatrical effects and talented cast make for an invigorating, magical performance.
