THE NUTCRACKER follows nine-year-old Mary (ELLE FANNING SUPER 8, BABEL) whose dull Viennese Christmas is suddenly filled with excitement and adventure following the arrival of her beloved Uncle Albert (NATHAN LANE THE LION KING, THE PRODUCERS) and his gift of an enchanted nutcracker. On Christmas night, Mary s new friend NC (CHARLIE ROWE THE GOLDEN COMPASS), 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. Soon though, Mary realises that this fantastical kingdom is facing danger from the tyrannical rule of the evil Rat King (JOHN TURTURRO TRANSFORMERS), 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 her friend and his kingdom