Nutcracker (2019 film)

Nutcracker is an American comedy action film directed by Tim Burton. It is produced by Lionsgate and distributed by Universal Studios. The film stars Gabriel Combs, Niko Lovett, Samara Weaving, Kevin Smith, Chris Hemsworth, and Dylan Bond. This is also the first R-Rated film to feature Combs, Lovett, and Bond.

The film was released theatrically in the United States on December 5, 2019. The film was a box office success, grossing over $500 million against a $100 million budget, and received positive reviews for its plot, casting, humor, and performances, although some complained about the pacing. A sequel is scheduled to be released on December 2, 2020.

Plot
A Nutcracker named Bob (Dylan Bond) doesn’t understand the true meaning of being a Nutcracker. He is taken to The Creator (Samara Weaving), who banishes him as punishment for taking the phrase “nutcracker” too seriously.

Five Years Later, a teenage Bob (Gabriel Combs) goes to a Bar for a drink. He is attacked by a drunk Taxi driver who he defeats by “nut-cracking” him. He also defeats everyone else in the bar with his AK-47 and escapes before the Police arrive to try to arrest him.

Officer Brown (Kevin Smith) searches for Evidence as to who defeated everyone in the bar. He then finds Bob’s hat lying on the floor, as he forgot it while running away. Officer Brown then searches the area for Bob, but he escaped too fast.

Bob hides out in his Lair as an unknown figure magically ties him to a chair. The figure reveals himself as a wizard named Wizard (Niko Lovett), who reveals that The Creator has gone mad and plots to kill every Nutcracker on the planet starting with Bob’s parents. Bob then leaves due to disbelief and is chased by the Police.

He is arrested and taken to Jail, where he meets up with The Creator. The Creator reveals that Wizard’s statement was true and Bob kicks her in the face, escaping Jail and causing a Riot in the process. Officer Brown searches the area and watches on the Security Cameras that Bob escaped jail, calling backup to help arrest him.

Bob ear he’s for Wizard, who arrives and reminds him of The Creator’s plot. She is revealed to have escaped Jail and the two travel to Russia to stop her plot. She is revealed to be a Russian spy who kidnapped the real Creator. Bob and Wizard sneak into the building, but are discovered by one of the Russian officers.

As the Russians shoot at the two, Bob and Wizard defeat them all and go after the Creator, who is revealed to be a criminal in disguise named Butcher. Bob defeats Butcher and Wizard sets off the Bomb she planted to cause an Explosion on the building. Wizard discovers that the Bomb isn’t destroyed and sacrifices himself to save the two. Bob then mourns for his friend as he is also on the run from the Police for his crimes.

Cast
Additionally, Lennon Richardson, Gabriel Bateman, and Jackson abound portray background Nutcrackers who were Bob’s childhood bullies.
 * Gabriel Combs as Bob Nutcracker, a nutcracker who takes the word too literally and the friend of Wizard.
 * Dylan Bond as a young Bob
 * Niko Lovett as Wizard, an ancient wizard who practices magic in his free time and the friend of Bob.
 * Samara Weaving as The Creator/Butcher, the Creator of Nutcrackers who is secretly a convinced psychopath.
 * Kevin Smith as Officer Brown, an angry Police Officer who wants to capture Bob for his reward money.
 * Chris Hemsworth as The Judge, the judge of the town who sends Bob under arrest.

Production
The film was officially announced on December 4, 2018, under the working title Jingle Balls. The title was later changed due to a negative fan reaction and Combs and Lovett were revealed to have been cast in the main roles, with Weaving cast as the antagonist. Smith, Hemsworth, and Bond were announced to play background characters in January 2019. Filming took place between March 2019 and June 2019, in Antarctica and New York City.

Reception
The film received generally positive reviews for its plot, casting, humor, and performances, although some complained about the pacing. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 63%, based on 585 reviews, with an average rating of 5.80/10. The website’s critical consensus reads, “While it’s pacing may be a little slow, Nutcracker’s stellar cast and very funny humor skyrockets the film anyways.” On an A+ to F Scale, the film received a “B”.

Release
The film was released theatrically in the United States on December 5, 2019. It was also released digitally on February 28, 2020, and on Blu-Ray and DVD on March 10, 2020.

Sequel
A sequel, titled Nutcracker: Chapter Two, is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on December 2, 2020.