Nutcrackers

Nutcrackers (2024) aims to deliver holiday magic but falls far short of expectations, resulting in an experience that feels almost meaningless. The plot meanders without a clear purpose, and the script suffers from poor writing, filled with clichés and lifeless dialogue. This, paired with its overly slow pacing, makes it difficult to stay engaged.

The visuals are uninspired, with bland set designs and lackluster cinematography that fail to capture the festive spirit. The characters are shallow and underdeveloped, offering little for viewers to connect with emotionally. Even moments that aim for humor or charm feel forced and ineffective.

While Nutcrackers might appeal to someone who simply wants to pass the time with a holiday-themed movie, it ultimately fails to provide any memorable or enjoyable moments. It's a disappointing entry in the holiday movie lineup, lacking the warmth and joy that make the genre special.

With the name "Nutcrackers," I was expecting this comedy to be more like the Problem Child series with a Christmas twist. Ben Stiller's character mimics the acting he did in the "Meet the Parents" series where he plays an average Joe who finds himself in some comedic situations while caring for four young boys. I gave extra stars for the writers creating realistic scenes in which any parent of unsupervised rambunctious boys could find themselves in. The story line loses stars because of the pivot the story took when the ballet performance idea was introduced. Too much was jammed into such a short amount of time. I don't believe this movie will become a Christmas classic nor do I feel I will be watching it again. However, it does have a nice heartwarming ending.

But, I just liked it. Ben's acting seemed as if he didn't even want to be there and I could barely understand what the kids were saying half the time. I felt like I was watching the "Wolfpack" brothers if they looked like the "Hanson" brothers. The kids lack of discipline was annoying at times and yet they were smart and capable. I almost wondered if the parents faked their demise and ran away. Would i recommend this movie? Probably if you want to watch a confusing family movie with a Christmas theme. There was something about the brothers that is intriguing and I hope to see more of them in the future after they hone in on their acting skills.

I'd watch anything with Ben Stiller in it, at least for a little while, and the little while here was pretty short. To tell the truth, I thought that this was a sure shot for our aging beloved Ben: an aloof businessman learning to love and become a father, as his sister died leaving him four preteen children.

And the kid actors are spot-on on how children behave after such a loss, becoming belligerent, full of angst, and looking for relief by being wild and unruly.

So it has all ingredients to become a tearjerker Christmas drama, but it wants to be an 'uncomfortable' comedy like Meet the Parents, or at least want to be sold as such. And that doesn't fly. Too much mourning and death for such a light-headed comedy it wanted to be. It doesn't fit.

It is set in farm, so it is also a fish out of.water situation for businessman Ben, from where half the 'jokes' come from; all the lazy tropes you already saw a thousand times: Does businessman Ben step on poop as soon as he leaves the car? Yes. Does Ben wake up with animals in his bed? Yes. Is Ben provoked by the kids to kill a chicken for supper? Yes.

And by then I turned off the movie, so take this review with a grain of salt, but whatever happens later in the movie, is already tainted by the tired writing by the numbers and the financial choice to tone down real life drama to fit into a feelgood comedy:

'I guess it is true what mom said about you,' says the older angst sad kid out of the blue in their first interaction.

'What is that?' Clueless Ben asks.

'That you can't love...'

'That is... stupid'

Indeed. Stupid writing. And also so on the nose that bleeds.

It is 2024, when we have access to all sorts of libraries of entertainment, including classics that done these same themes over and over, and you may ask yourself why you are wasting your Christmas time with this movie instead of those. Perhaps because this movie can make you happy that you don't have to deal with four sad hyperactive kids who lost their parents that you would never be able to replace.

Good photography, though.

Yikes

A big Chicago hot shot named Michael (Mike) must return to smaller life when his sister passes away and leaves 4 kids parentless. He is going back to try and sort the foster parent situation, as things are on hold he must spend the weekend with Justice, Junior, Simon and Samuel. The boys who prove to be a lot will also be an extra heave in trying to find them a new home. The question is will Mikes personal life take importance over the relocation of his nephews.

It's a really good idea for a movie but it feels like nothing clicked, the kids are grieving but acting like feral animals at one minute and an hour later are perfectly fine, this happens a lot in the movie.

There are some heartfelt scenes and the acting isn't an issue, I just feel the movie wasn't Christmas themed bar the last 20 minutes. It was long and boring at times unfortunately, I don't recommend, maybe watch a classic instead, 4/10.