Disney's The Nutcracker & the Four Realms Review: No Spoilers

Not Sponsored: I went to see Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms this past week. I needed a healthy dose of holiday magic, with the hot & humid temperatures we're experiencing in New Orleans. Anyone that has been a long-time fan of The Nutcracker Suite, will immediately recognize all of the songs in the movie. I found myself humming to each and reminiscing when I was a flower in the Dance of the Flowers. Misty Copeland's performance was exquisite (be sure to stay after the movie to see more of her). Here's an article about Sergei Polunin who dances with her in the movie. The various sets in the movie will transport you to locations that are both real & not real. The winter scenes are both fanciful & magical. I also loved the costumes & makeup for the characters in this movie. The makeup on Jayden Fowora-Knight was gorgeous! The story starts and ends strong. I think somewhere in the middle it drags a bit. But what I love about this movie, is the moral of this Christmas story. I don't know if many actually catch the moral of the story. I want you to pay attention to the characters! What "looks sweet", may not be. What "looks horrid or bad", may not be. Isn't that true in real life? Too many judge a book by its cover. What is ... isn't always! This movie has both a sweet & dark side. More dark parts than sweet! HaHaHa It's Alice in Wonderland meets Christmas ... meets Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas. It's A Christmas Carol meets The Chronicles of Narnia. But Disney movies always have a sweet & dark side. I do suggest going to see this movie. It's appealing to the eyes. It's important to understand the actual Four Realms (Land of Flowers, Land of Snowflakes, Land of Sweets, Fourth Realm). I found two websites that explain all four (here and here). I would love for Disney to make movies that expand on each! Especially the Land of the Sweets! Wouldn't it be nice to visit a land of sweets that turns dark? LOL Here's a link to the trailer.

(sources: Disney.com.au, Disney Movies)