The Nuttiest Nutcracker

Just give me a moment here to retrieve my jaw from the carpet. Your holiday season will not be complete until you've seen pears rappelling down the tablecloth on spaghetti strands in battle against the minions of the Mouse King in this eye-popping computer-animated version of The Nutcracker staring human, rodent, vegetable, fruit, nut and fairy characters. Voiced by, among others, Jim Belushi, Phyllis Diller, and Cheech Marin, with songs by Peabo Bryson, the sharp writing (in sounding a retreat, one piece of fruit yells "women and citrus first"), state-of-the-art computer animation, and rousing songs (including a couple of gospel numbers in keeping with the lightly stated religious tone), as well as Tchaikovsky's stirring music, make this a must-have holiday treat. Highly recommended. Aud: K, P. (R. Pitman)