Far from wondrous

The Nutcracker… is a lavishly mounted but disappointingly dull affair. It’s a live-action 3D version of a short story by the German fabulist ETA Hoffman, also the source of the eternally wellloved two-act ballet scored by Tchaikovsky.

Here, two veteran directors Lasse Hallstrom and visual-effects wizard Joe Johnston raise expectations, but are perhaps let down by the sluggish, pedestrian script by first-timer Ashleigh Powell.

After a somewhat longwinded opening sequence set in London on Christmas Eve, the viewer is transported along with the teenage protagonist (fresh-faced Mackenzie Foy) to magical parallel worlds sprawling with tin soldiers, rodents and all manner of mechanical contraptions.

Joining forces with the titular soldier (Jayden Foworaknight), the sprightly heroine strives to bring peace to four warring factions.

The costumes and production design are gorgeous. The pomp and pageantry of the fantastical alternate realms are eye-caressing. Also notable are two interludes in which the ballerina Misty Copeland swirls to Tchaikovsky’s music.

In the acting department, Keira Knightley exudes charisma as the deceitfully sweet Sugar Plum Fairy. Helen Mirren (the dictatorial Mother Ginger) and Morgan Freeman (the avuncular godfather) are underutilised.

The overall effect is far from wondrous.

Kids are more than likely to relate to this fanciful fantasy.

Others are advised to read the original short story instead.