Barbie in The Nutcracker [VHS]
Look who became a star. Barbie comes to life in this computer-animated  Christmas tale that quite naturally takes the longtime favorite doll into a new  realm. The plot is a slight variation on the traditional ballet based on  Tchaikovsky's music. Instead of being in an open-ended dream, Barbie and her  escort, the Nutcracker (soon to be Ken, natch), are on an adventurous quest.  Along the way there are more creatures and derring-do than in the original. The  sole known voice talent, Tim Curry, has a good old time as the Mouse King, and  the animated dancing is gracefully adapted from New York City Ballet  choreography. A few clever characters, bright animation, and wonderful music  should entrance any Barbie fans ages 3 to 9. The 78-minute feature debuted on  video shortly before playing on CBS in 2001.--Doug Thomas