When I was a kid, this was one of my childhood favourites, I loved it. Watching it again, I still do, it is a really sweet and charming film, that is perfect for Christmas time.
I have read critical reviews, though not on IMDb, that said that the animation was shoddy, and I wholeheartedly disagree. Sure I have seen better animation, but I do think people need to remember when it was made(1990), and that it is lower in budget to other animated gems like Beauty and the Beast. The colours weren't too bad and the backgrounds were nice to look at.
One of the main things I like about The Nutcracker Prince is the story. The timeless story by ETA Hoffmann is a truly wonderful one, and out of all the adaptations of the story I've seen, including countless productions of the ballet, short cartoons, and the Barbie movie(which I admit I really like, despite the fact I am 17), The Nutcracker Prince is actually the most faithful to the story, having the story of Princess Pirlipat and all that. Yes, there are one or two gruesome scenes, but the story version I have has a very malevolent description of the Mouse King, so that is forgiven. Plus this Mouse King was one I enjoyed watching, funny and scary at the same time, and a character who got so much abuse from his mother.
My favourite aspect of the movie was the music by Tchaikovsky, the sparkling motifs from his beautiful ballet score are bound to stay with you forever. What I liked about it was how they used it in the film, it was very clever, and very appropriate. Tchaikovsky is one of my favourite composers, and a very important one in the development of ballet, but he brought staggering contributions also to symphony, concerto and opera. I am so thankful that they didn't miss out the music entirely, otherwise this gem of a film wouldn't have such an effect on me. Just for the record, this was actually the film, that introduced me to Tchaikovsky's music, and that is the reason why it is so special to me.
The voice cast was terrific, especially Kiefer Sutherland as the Nutcracker Prince, and Megan Follows is lovely beyond words as Clara. Also worth of note is Peter O'Toole as Pantoloon, I thought he was excellent, almost certainly one of the best voice actors involved in the movie. Everyone else was very good too, particularly Peter Beretski in a perfect performance as Drosselmeir and they were further advantaged by a very good script, that is surprisingly faithful to Hoffmann's story.
Overall, a beautiful gem. 10/10 Bethany Cox.
