Reviews & Ratings for
Barbie in the Nutcracker (V) More at IMDbPro »

Filter:

Best Chronological Prolific Authors Loved It Hated It Hide Spoilers:

Index

10 reviews in total

---

9 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
A 20-year-old male's opinion..., 7 May 2002
Author: Unassuming Local Guy from Chicago, IL, USA

As I sat through this movie with my girlfriend and her nieces, I became gradually aware of how this film succeeds: it's invincible. Completely critic-proof. What can I say against this movie, exactly? Whine about how I don't like Barbie?

It's basically a modernized (and nauseatingly politically correct) take on The Nutcracker, throwing Barbie into one of the lead roles for pretty much no reason (unless you count bankability). Of course, it's a kids' flick, and relies on sparse, simple dialogue and spare editing to convey the action. It definitely works well; the girls ate it up and came back for seconds.

This is a rather interesting computer-animated movie. While it's noticeably lower-budget than Toy Story and Shrek, the visuals have a sort of subtle charm. The vast landscapes are quietly serene and beautiful without becoming overwhelming. Sometimes the motion-captured characters are placed against a flat 2D background, giving one severe flashbacks to the early days of the Playstation.

Bottom line: If you're a girl age four to ten, you'll likely enjoy every minute. Barbie's voice actress and Tim Curry as the Rat King are worth noting.

---

6 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Fun for preschoolers, 27 January 2003

Author: alice917

I was amazed to see the low rating this movie was given! My daughter absolutely loves it. The movie highlights real ballet steps and the original Tchaikovsky score, performed by th London Symphony. The plot is sweet, Barbie is a good role model, and there's a wonderful message. It also almost completely non-violent. The evil rat is wonderfully voiced by Tim Curry. I thought this Barbie movie was much better than Rapunzel but it's certainly rated lower. I have to echo some other comments by saying I've seen it around 100 times with my 2 year old and it's still not completely boring!

---

6 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Barbie done right!, 3 May 2002
Author: gapeach17

I was 19 when I saw this on Thanksgiving 2001, too old, perhaps, but I love "The Nutcracker" and had to make sure they didn't butcher it. To my surprise, it was an enjoyable, tasteful version of the ballet! Even though I've come to hate Barbie, she's not as bimbo-esque as they've made her to be over the years. Shocking still, Clara was actually a positive role model for young girls. Clara isn't your typical 14-year-old (I THINK that's how old the character was). She's more interested in travel and excitement than romance. She's also sweet, spunky, and brave, a nice modern girl.

There are new touches up the wazoo, but don't worry. There's still a ballet and love story to tell. For once, it's Barbie you can be proud of. So sit back come Christmas, relax, and let your young girls enjoy "Barbie in the Nutcracker"!

---

5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Not as insipid as you might think, 27 September 2002

Author: hfong from California

I have seen or heard this movie at least 50X. Why? I have 2 year old twins (boy/girl)...say no more. Nonetheless, this is a pretty good movie. both my daughter and my son enjoy this movie (she likes barbie, he likes the mouse king, a.k.a. Christmas Rat). I strongly suggest this flick. Not cloying like say, Dragontales, not annoying like Barney. Tim Curry must have had a ball making this movie. And even though is does play fast and loose with the traditional Nutcracker, it still has great music and wonderful, albeit animated, ballet dancing.

---

4 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
computerized animation serving a good purpose, 27 December 2001

Author: daflauta from Brazil

Although I've watched only the last half of this picture (browsing the TV accidentally on a Xmas afternoon), it caught my attention and I've got involved aesthetically and emotionally into the classical plot and superb musical score by Tchaikowsky. Computerized animation (not at all excessive neither overwhelming) made possible unimaginable camera flights, achieving points of view that no privileged spectator can afford, accompanying the lifelike ballet or making possible exquisite sceneries. I've never played with Barbie doll, but this one doesn't look like plastic and surely touched my heart! Get many handkerchiefs ready...

---

5 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
Disney could not make it better, 24 December 2001
Author: Cenk (jank123@mailcity.com) from Berlin

This computer animated movie is a must for everyone. Especially for those who are intrested in computer animations. This is one of the best computer animated movie i have ever seen in my life. The graphics and the textures are good. The movement of the characters is a story for itself. The model movements look VERY realistic thanks to motion capture technology (watch the dance scene at the end of the movie. It is awesome!) The story is also good. It is actually written for children, yet teenagers or adults can enjoy it too. The story has kinda the taste of "alice in wonderland". And also, I never thought that "Barbie" would have such *normal* personality since it is actually a toy which was designed for innocent/naive pre-preteen girls. Action and fun, All in one. watch it!

---

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
The kids watch it all the time, 10 February 2002
Author: curt-14 from Kansas City

In fact, they're watching it in the other room right now. My 19 mo son really likes it (better than his twin sister). And my 7 yo daughter likes it too. I've seen it...well, probably more times than I'd like to admit, and like most of these kids shows, i.e. Disney sing-a-longs, Veggie Tales, ect., they tend to grow on you... I find myself singing some of the songs... As for this one...if you think it's going to be the story you'd see at the ballet, you'd be wrong, but the music you'd go to the ballet for is the same and it's timeless. It's sweet and probably geared towards girls. Get it for your 18 mo - 7 year old kids, they'll like it.

---

2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
A preschooler's delight, 4 February 2002

Author: wardkay

My daughter saw this at daycare and talked about it for days. We rented it and it was much better than expected. It is short enough (78 minutes) to hold her attention. The show holds up well for repeated adult viewing. But make no mistake, this is a kid's movie, not good enough for an adult to watch on their own.

---

1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Visually stunning with great music., 3 February 2009

Author: TheLittleSongbird from United Kingdom

I am 16, and I am not afraid to say, that this is the best Barbie movie, absolutely perfect for kids and adults alike. Sure it isn't at all faithful to the beautiful immortal story by ETA Hoffmann, but that shouldn't be an excuse for not enjoying this beautiful film. The animation is gorgeous, and the film itself is severely underrated. The best animation sequence was the fantastic ballet duet between Clara and Eric, when it is revealed so cleverly that she is the Sugar Plum Princess. The music, adapted from the Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky was the best thing about the movie. I recognised every single piece played, and it perfectly matched the animation, which hardly ever happens in non-Disney movies. The story was based on the ballet, and they so cleverly extended it to keep the audience's interests. It has a fast-paced story line, that completely gripped me. Great voice talents as well. Kelly Sheridan and Kirby Morrow are wonderful and deliver the screenplay perfectly. Tim Curry steals the show as the Mouse King, both sinister and funny at the same time. He did everything possible with the witty screenplay, which had lots of humour. (seen especially with the relationship between Major Mint and Captain Candy, who were hilarious) Fantastic! Compulsory for young ballet lovers.10/10Bethany Cox

---

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Nice, but the British characters were the evil ones, 16 March 2002
Author: Jonathan Dunn from Seattle

A nice and enchanting animated film. The only problem I had was that English accents were chosen for the only 3 disturbing characters - the two villains and the hypocritical Captain Candy. Somebody have an issue there? The motions were clearly based upon some kind of real-world motion capture, and thus did not have the faky non-gravity quality of much computer-generated 'footage' of living beings.

---

---

Add another review

---

Related Links

Amazon.com summary	Ratings	Awards
External reviews	Official site	Plot keywords
Main details	Your user reviews	Your vote history