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Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet of “The Nutcracker” has become a holiday tradition for families around the world. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the holiday season than by watching some version of it.

I’ll be a party parent onstage in the Twin Cities Ballet version of “The Nutcracker,” with tickets to the December 3-4 performances available through Ticketmaster (I’m not kidding). But if you’re nowhere close to Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, you can catch the newest, boldest, revisionist version of the Tchaikovsky and E.T.A. Hoffman tale on November 1, 2011 on Cable Video On Demand and Internet VOD/EST.

This is the 3D Nutcracker directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, although a 2D version will also be available. It stars Elle Fanning, Nathan Lane, John Turturro, Frances de la Tour, Richard E. Grant, Yuilya Vysotskaya, and Charlie Rowe in a PG adventure-fantasy that’s rated PG. Be warned, though, that it takes a basically tame story and turns it into an action movie that Jerry Bruckheimer would have been proud to produce.

Synopsis:
From the imagination of acclaimed Russian director Andrei Konchalovskiy, thecherished story of The Nutcracker will be brought to life in spectacular 3D this holiday season. “The Nutcracker in 3D” follows nine-year-old Mary (ElleFanning) whose dull Viennese Christmas is suddenly filled with excitement and adventure following the arrival of her beloved Uncle Albert (Nathan Lane) and his gift of an enchanted nutcracker.

On Christmas night, Mary’s new friend, The Nutcracker (Charlie Rowe) or “NC,” comes to life and takes her on a wondrous journey into his magical world of fairies, sugarplums, and other Christmas toys which come to life. Mary soon realizes that this fantastical kingdom is facing danger from the tyrannical rule of the evil Rat King (John Turturro) and his devious mother (Frances de la Tour). When NC is taken hostage, Mary and her newfound toy friends must uncover the secret of the Rat King to rescue NC and his kingdom.

Based on the story that inspired acclaimed Russian composer Piotr Tchaikovsky to create the music for the iconic ballet, the film includes eight exciting new songs penned by Oscar-winning lyricist and librettist Sir Tim Rice (“The Lion King,” “Evita,” “Jesus Christ Superstar”).