The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

Ho, ho!

Shh! Fritz. Now, be very still.

This is how we'll do it.

With science, mechanics...

and a bit of luck.

First, we've got energy.

The heat from the candle will make the balloon rise.

With the momentum from the ball...

- that hits the monkey... - (DINGS)

...and pivots onto the bellows.

Which blows the longboat.

Giving us Newton's third law of physics...

that says every action has an equal...

- and opposite...? - Reaction.

- Yes! (LAUGHING) Yes!

- (MOUSE SNIFFING) - Do they bite?

I suppose they do.

If you're horrid to them.

Oh, there you are.

Up and down I've been looking for you rascals.

Worn out, I am.

We were catching a mouse.

Well, if you catch one, I'm not cooking it.

Too many bones.

Now, come on, be quick.

We have a lot to do before this evening.

There you are!

I've been looking all over for you.

Look at the state of you.

We were trying to catch a mouse...

with toys and momentum and matches and...

Matches?

- It was Clara's idea. - (SCOFFS)

Catching mice on Christmas Eve?

Honestly, Clara.

We nearly had him.

What were you gonna do with him when you caught him?

Teach him tricks. He could dance.

Ah. There you are. What do we think?

It's wonderful, Father.

With a few adjustments, perhaps.

It's not how Mother did it.

Fritz.

Um... Now, children, I have some presents for you.

But it's not Christmas Day.

They're from your mother.

She asked me to give them to you on Christmas Eve.

That one's for you.

- Louise. - Thank you.

Soldiers! Yay!

Clara.

The enemy has found our location!

We've been ambushed!

They're from both sides!

It's Mother's favorite.

Yes. Yes, it was.

What is it, Clara?

It's an egg of some sort.

What's inside? Is it jewelry?

I don't know.

It's locked.

Are you sure it opens?

There's a keyhole. Here.

But there's no key.

Why would Mother give me this without a key?

It's just a silly egg that doesn't open.

It's not just a silly egg, Fritz.

Clara.

Clara!

"Everything you need is inside."

Clara.

Is everything all right?

No.

This is a pin tumbler lock.

It's impossible to open without a key.

I see.

Well, why don't you get ready for the party,

and then you can work it out tomorrow.

Clara, Christmas comes...

whether we like it or not.

We must do our best to enjoy it.

I don't want to enjoy it.

I don't want to enjoy anything right now.

Well, that may be the case...

but it's important to maintain traditions as a family.

It's what's expected of us.

I don't care what's expected.

- Well, you should. Father?

It's almost time to go.

Do I look all right?

Yes.

Yes, indeed.

Please get your sister ready.

You must be gentle with him, Clara.

I wish Mother was here.

We all do.

I have to open this.

You'll work it out.

You're an extremely clever girl, just like Mother.

I don't feel very clever lately.

Maybe you should spend

a little less time in the attic...

and a little more time in the real world.

The real world just doesn't make sense to me anymore.

You must try, Clara.

If only for Father.

Father is acting as if nothing has changed.

But everything has changed.

"D." It's Drosselmeyer.

He must have made this.

And maybe he can open it!

Good.

Now, will you let me finish with your hair?

Yes. But please hurry.

It is important to be

on your best behavior tonight.

That means remembering our manners at dinner. Fritz!

I do want one dance with you, Louise.

And you, Clara.

- Do I have to dance? Yes, you do.

And no disappearing tonight either.

Mingle and engage with the guests.

What about me?

What about you?

Who will dance with me?

Yay! Godfather's house.

Last one in is a nincompoop.

Master Drosselmeyer welcomes

Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Jones.

Doctor and Mrs. McDonald, Timothy and Ezekiel McDonald.

Magic!

Fritz, come on.

How do we get them back?

The Stahlbaum family.

Benjamin, Louise, Fritz, and Clara.

Godfather?

- (OWL SCREECHES) - (GASPS)

Hello.

Have you seen Godfather anywhere?

He sees everything.

Which can be a great help to an old man.

Godfather.

Hello, Clara.

I need your help.

Ah. But I need your help first.

Look at this damn thing.

- (CLANKING) - Backwards.

It moves...

backwards.

The mechanism must be reversed.

I know, but I can't, for the life of me,

figure out why.

May I?

Please.

- (SWITCH CLICKS) - (MUSIC STOPS)

It looks like the idler wheel has slipped.

Hmm.

Causing the pinion ring

to engage the secondary drive gear.

Pliers.

Ah.

There.

- (SWITCH CLICKS) - (MUSIC RESUMES)

Ah.

Clever girl. (CHUCKLES)

I knew you could do it.

- All right now, Miss Clara... - (SWITCH CLICKS)

Why are you down here with me instead of upstairs, dancing?

I need your help with something.

With this.

Ah.

I haven't seen this in a very long time.

I made it for another clever girl...

who came to live with me

after she was orphaned at a very early age.

- Mother. - Mmm-hmm.

You know, when she first arrived...

she wouldn't leave her room.

Spent day and night locked away...

her head buried in her books.

So, what did you do?

I left this outside her door.

And, over time, she came to trust me...

but most importantly...

herself.

And now she's given it to you.

But she didn't leave me the key.

You must miss her terribly.

I know I do.

And I can't imagine how your father must feel.

All Father cares about is appearances.

No.

My guess is he feels every bit the way you do.