Rating: Summary: A Must have for your young ballet dancer! Review: Ignore the bad reviews on this video. They must be coming from people who are over-critical of the whole "Barbie rage". My 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 year old daughters and I just finished watching Barbie in the Nutcracker for the 4th time, the first 3 times were a rented copy, and my girls decided that instead of spending their Christmas money on toys they wanted a copy of this video! Our whole family truly enjoys watching it. The quality of the dancing and the story line in this Barbie Nutcracker is hard to beat! We had a different Nutcracker video that has since "mysteriously disappeared" ;-) since it was so negative and violent. Barbie Nutcracker is positive and dreamy, and has a happy ending - why would you not want that for your younger dreamer? My daughters are in their 2nd year of taking ballet dancing under the instruction of a professional ballet dancer, and they benefit from watching this video because of the superior quality of the dancing; which comes from the dancing being real (a New York City ballet dancer hooked up with computer modules that transfers her real dancing movements into the computer). The dancing throughout the movie really is tremendous - especially if you enjoy the Nutcracker Suite as much as we do. The story does have it's climax with the Mouse King, but it is not so violent that it scares our youngest - she actually becomes quite involved in the scenes. If you have an aspiring ballet dancer in your family or a child who is curious about ballet dancing, you really should get this video for them. Do like we did and go rent it first, then you will be back here to order your own copy!
Rating: Summary: Very Cute... Review: This is a very well made movie, the graphics are great. I was very excited that Barbie was coming out with her own movie! But, it doesn't hold my daughter's interest just yet. At 2 years old, she is a movie fanatic..she will sit through most movies that she likes (such as Toy Story) but this one I must say she doesn't care for. I think she will like it more in a year or two. I am not disappointed that I bought it, as I think we will get use out of it later on :) I recommend this for the seriously girly barbie girl in your life! :)
Rating: Summary: A beautiful intro. to the story, ballet and classical music! Review: My 2 1/2 year old and I have watched "Barbie in the Nutcracker" at least 30 times in 3 weeks time! . . . and we're not tired of it yet! My child hums the music during the day, dances around the house and knows every character by name. The animation is good: the characters' mouth movements are a bit awkward, but the dancing sequences are fabulous, especially the "studio sessions" with Barbie and Kelly. The video is full of lovely detail, emotional undertones and subtle nuances making it palatable for adults. The story script has been updated slightly to enable understanding by the smallest children. Definitely recommended for boys and girls, we have hosted showings for many young viewers, ages 2 and up, including a 9 year-old boy and our 83 and 84 year old aunt and uncle; all love it!
Rating: Summary: Entertaining for all ages Review: Different children will be scared of different things. This movie does have a villan, just like every Disney movie about princesses. This DVD does have limeted dancing, but it's very neat. The animation is wonderful, and the story line is based on the nutcracker. (By the way, if you read the back of the box on cast and credits, it will say "Based on Tchvoilsky's, The Nutcracker". Anyway, I love this movie. It's definitly going to make anyone dance!
Rating: Summary: A New Nutcracker Treasure Review: This was a wonderful story for children to enjoy. My two daughters loved watching every minute of it. The characters were delightful to watch. The overall DVD had a good lesson for children to follow.
Rating: Summary: Barbie in The Nutcracker: FISTS OF FURY! Review: Okay, I exaggerate, there aren't any fist fights in this movie, but it is comprised almost entirely of fight scenes. The creators of this movie had some very clever ideas about how to improve upon the original, such as the addition of evil bats and a rock monster. Also, the Rat King (who is actually a mouse in this version for no apparent reason) has a scepter of power that shoots all kinds of rays, like a fire ray and also a ray that turns people into statues. One of the "Mouse King's" choice lines during the climactic battle at the Nutcracker's castle is "Your choice: dismemberment or barbecue!" The movie NEVER plays one complete song from the original. Every one is cut off or faded out because of sneak attack by bats, or other menace. There are long segments of vicious dialog, similar to a bad Saturday morning superhero cartoon. Estimated length of actual Nutcracker music: 7 minutes Estimated length of characters dancing: 2 minutes Holiday cheer: none The most unfortunate, but positive, thing that I can say about this is that I actually thought the animation looked beautiful and very original in its style, which is the only reason I gave it a second star. If they had kept the music, dancing, and story of the original then it would have been great. As it is, I am not going to let my children watch it a second time. Buy a video of a real ballet instead.
Rating: Summary: Lovely Review: Barbie and the Nutcracker is a sweet movie. The characters are simply divine. The scene's are descriptive and are very colorful. You'll love this movie. Clara is the Sugar plum fairy princess and the Nutcracker is prince Eric. They are such a cute couple. If you want a short adventure that includes a beginning love, I suggest that you see this movie. You'll love this so much that you would even go to the store and buy it. I did.
Rating: Summary: Scared of...What? Review: I'm befuddled by the several reviews saying that the Barbie Nutcracker is scary. My three year old daughter has watched it about 500 times. She dances along with the dance scenes. She loves the Kelly character. She finds the CGI intriguing. When we took her to see the Nutcracker performed live, she had a fine basis for what she was watching. Look, this is not High Art -- it's Barbie and Ken. But, it's clever...enough. If there's a problem, it's that there's a middle act that moves slowly. But Tim Curry as the Mouse King is a hoot -- he gobbles the scenery, along with the gingerbread. It's not Snow White, but it is entertaining.
Rating: Summary: Scary! Review: This video is so scary, my 3 year old was going,"Mom, what are they doing?" I finally shut it off and am going to return it tomorrow. Also, the story does not follow the real ballet. I'd rather have the real thing. In short, I was Very DISSAPPOINTED in this video. I certainly do not recommend it!
Rating: Summary: Classic tuned for children Review: My grandchildren and I watched Barbie in the Nutcracker and found it to be exhilirating, exciting and wondorous. My grandson loved the action, my granddaughter loved the music and dance. They ask for it all the time. As a teacher and a grandmother, I recommend this video as a delightful way to introduce the children to classics. BRAVO!
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