I decided to rewatch all Barbie movies and write reviews for them. Obviously, I wanted to start with this one because it was the first Barbie movie I saw as a kid. Everything in review below is my opinion only and you're welcome to have a different one. I also wanted to say in advance, English is not my first language so I am sorry for any mistakes. Before I start the review of the movie, I wanted to say a few words about its original cover. I love it. I think it's very simple, but also very classic. Clara look extremaly beautiful on it. I remember when I saw it as a kid, I fall in love with it in seconds. What's your opinion on it? Now, let's start with the review.

Animation



Barbie in the Nutcracker was the first movie in the franchise and it was probably made on the budget lower than the next movies. I've read several opinions according to which it is the weakest Barbie movie when it comes to animation. I don't agree with that, but I can see why some people think that way. Watching the movie, you just see it's not that detailed. But for me it has its charm and I can't imagine this movie in any other animation. Locations in this production are wonderful and I especially love what they did with colours. I love the colour contrasts in this movie, from dark but warm Clara's home, to cold places covered in snow and finally my favourite, the bright and jolly Sugar Plum Princess' island and the place where Clara and Eric picked apples. Clara looked so amazing in these scenes. All the characters in the movie have very unique design but Clara is my favourite. I think this is the movie that Barbie looked the most like Barbie. She looks just like doll, extremaly beautiful. And can I just say her design as Sugar Plum Princess is probably my favourite hairstyle and dress Barbie wore in any movie? It looks so pretty! Designs for Parthenia are simple, but it works here, since they are simply beautiful. 9/10

Plot



I can't be the only person who thinks that Nutcracker is on totally higher level than other Barbie movies? I love the story it is based on, and while it is in no way faithful adaptation, I think the Barbie version is even better. I am grateful for the changes they made, because it is my favourite adaptation of that tale/ballet ever. In the entire movie, I won't be able to pick even one scene that would bore me. I can watch this movie thousand times and it is always interesting and enjoyable for me. I love the morals of the story and how they are delivered. Somehow this movie also feels more mature for me than the others. I also really love how relationships in this movie are written. Clara and Eric are quite possible my favourite Barbie couple. Well, I will decide on that after I rewatch all the movies. There were some missing elements in the plot that I feel could make the movie better, but I will talk more about it in the next section. Honestly, I can't imagine the better start for the Barbie movie series than this. 9/10

Characters



I love Clara. The movie doesn't have a quote, but its lesson is that if you're kind, clever, brave and true, anything is possible, and I think Clara's example teaches that lesson very good. My favourite Clara's moments are when she is left on the island alone and now everything depends on her. I think she really proves herself as the wonderful heroine. One thing I would like to see though, were her feelings about leaving family behind, when she decided to stay in Parthenia. Eric is another great character. I wish they would show him as the unresponsible prince, his development would seem even better than. Mouse King is a great villain, as he really give me that dangerous feeling. Pimm is really funny and he together with Clara's brother Tommy are two characters I would like to know more about. However, characters who totally stole the show are Major Mint and Captain Candy and I think I am not the only one with that opinion. I would gladly watch another movie about them. Hey Mattel, where is Nutcracker's sequel? Well, maybe it's better if they don't make one. 8/10

Music



Well, what can I say, the music is gorgeous. The Nutcracker ballet music is so beautiful. I can listen to it for hours. Writing this, I actually decided I will listen it for sleep tonight, ha ha. My favourite track is when Eric and the Sugar Plum Princess dance before her return to home, and of course the moment when they are separated. I always cry during that part, the music is so emotional. 10/10

Choreography

Instead of weird dances from Mariposa & The Fairy Princess, the Nutcracker gave us wonderful dance sequences. The ballet scenes shown after Mouse King's defeat are beautiful, they are so amazing to watch. I rewatched that scene so many times. Once again, Clara and Eric's dance part was my favourite. I also love the subtle scenes in which faeries try to make Clara dance. 10/10

CONCLUSION: Absolutely Fantastic



It is not my favourite Barbie movie, but I think it's only because I can relate to some other movies more. However, I truly believe Barbie in the Nutcracker is the franchise's biggest masterpiece. Everything about this movie, whether it's script, music or characters, is absolutely wonderful and I can't imagine anyone who would not like this movie. Even though I have a big sentiment for this movie, I believe my highly positive opinion about it is in no way biased. Before this review, I haven't watched this movie for a very long time and I was afraid it will be a little boring for me now, but once again I was surprised to enjoy it as much as I did when I was a kid. Now I actually want to rewatch it tomorrow, and probably day after tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed my review and will check the next one.