Disney Archives - Cinematic Insights

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms Film Review

(1.5 / 4)

Disney’s attempt at expanding on the mythology of the classic “Nutcracker” story is needlessly convoluted, with an overly familiar story that feels more like a big-budget holiday cash-grab than a creative re-imagination. Unlike the toy solider at the center of the story, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms never comes to life.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms follows in the footsteps of other edgy attempts from Disney to reinterpret beloved classics into original live-action versions. In an article I wrote earlier this week, I stated that Disney live-adaptations can fall into one of two categories – a straight retelling of a classic story or a creative expansion of the original. Apparently, I was wrong, as The Nutcracker manages not to fit into either category. It is essentially 2010’s Alice in Wonderland, repackaged with a blanket of fake snow and a Santa cap thrown on top for the holidays.

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Are Live-Action Disney Films a Safe Bet?

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Why The Nutcracker’s release could impact the future of Disney films.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is the latest Disney live-action film that attempts to adapt a classic fairytale with cutting-edge CGI aimed at modern audiences. On paper, this release appears to be a safe venture for the House of Mouse. The Christmas-themed movie has the ideal release date at the official start of the holiday movie season. The film boasts high budget CGI spectacle as well as A-list actors in the form of Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, and Helen Mirren. Not to mention the film is based upon the legendary classic short story by E.T.A. Hoffmann. However, despite all of these factors, looking back over the past few years, it becomes clear that The Nutcracker is far from a safe bet at the box office.

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Christopher Robin Review

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(3 / 4)

Winnie the Pooh proves to be the life coach you forgot that you needed.

Winnie the Pooh has touched the hearts of children for over 90 years and has maintained a connection with readers that is unlike any other children’s story. It is undeniable that a part of this bond can be attributed to the wisdom to be gleaned from Pooh’s adventures, which have resonance well into adulthood. From comparisons to the great Greek philosophers to being used as a model for simplifying the Chinese philosophy of Taoism it has become clear that despite being “a bear of very little brain” Pooh has some deep insights into the meaning of life. Christopher Robin sets out to more directly explore how Pooh’s approach to life connects to the struggles of adulthood by depicting what would happen if a fully-grown Christopher Robin were to reunite with Pooh and his friends. Unlike many of Disney’s past live-action films, Christopher Robin is a tale that feels like it fully warrants being told and justifies the live-action treatment, as it is more than a mere re-telling of an animated classic as films such as Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella have been guilty of.

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