Here's the deal: This movie looks expensive and pretty, with elaborate costumes and sets that clearly cost a fortune. But it's the definition of style over substance.
The plot is a confusing mess that even adults struggle to follow, the characters are paper-thin, and the whole thing feels like a soulless algorithm tried to reverse-engineer a Disney classic. The reviews don't lie—32% on Rotten Tomatoes is brutal for a big-budget Disney release, and the 2.5/5 on Letterboxd means even generous viewers were underwhelmed.
It's safe enough for family viewing and has some nice messages about courage and self-discovery, but your kids will probably get bored halfway through and ask to watch something else. There are dozens of better fantasy adventures on Disney+ that actually deliver on story and heart (Moana, Encanto, even Frozen if you can stand it again).
If your kid is obsessed with ballet or the Nutcracker specifically, maybe give it a shot. Otherwise, skip it. Life's too short for mediocre movies, even pretty ones.




