Watching Christmas movies: Barbie and the Nutcracker (2001)
In a macho world, the idea that a film for girls can have charm and be wisecracking is a foreign one. This attitude that badas-ness is an universally masculine trait that comes from sweating big guys with guy is imprinted into all of us, regardless of if we want it, or not.
There is also added weight of watching a "kid's movie". We see kid movies as something that doesn't fill up the same space, nor can have same nutritional value as an adult movie. And for sure, kid movies can't have complexities of some truly outstanding films, and they have limits on what they can say. However, I would argue movies intended for children can be, if written with care, at least as stimulating and charming as any movie for an adult.
Barbie and the Nutcracker fits into this category. It is rather strange how Mattel said "Hey, we need movies to sell more toys" and someone out there decided "well, I am going to make these actually great movies".
The premise is simple. It's The adaptation of the Nutcracker. However, the main character Clara and her boyfriend Nutcracker have a nice chemistry. There are some lovely and fun side characters. The villain, the titular Rat King and his bat minions are also very funny.
Movie isn't scared to move into rather edgy territory and throw in some darker humour, what with the Nutcracker arm detaching, and the joke of how many people Rat King turned into stone. It's also nice to get a penitent main character rather than a perfect person who can do no wrong. Clara's bravery and kindness is what saves the day, and she needn't be some perfect swashbuckler to do it.
The animation is a bit rough around the edges - it's old - but man it feels charming rather than creepy. Another point is rather annoying metanarrative of Barbie telling her creepy ass sister this whole story. That I could do without.
But Barbie and Nutcracker reminds us that a decent watch full of charm is sometimes found even in pink and glittery places.