Daniel Tiger 2, Daniel and the Nutcracker

*Daniel Tiger 2, Daniel and the Nutcracker* (Commonly shortened to *Daniel and the Nutcracker*, also known as *Tom Hanks’ Daniel and the Nutcracker*, and known in the german version as *Daniel Tiger’s Nutcracker*) is a 2022 American-German

Live Action/Animated-Musical-Fantasy-Adventure film based on the PBS Kids TV Series *Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood*, E. T. A. Hoffmann’s Story “*The Nutcracker and the Mouse King*,” and “*The Nutcracker*” ballet. It is a Sequel to Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood presents: Margaret goes missing , making the show officially a Film Franchise. The film was released to honor the 130th anniversary of the “The Nutcracker” ballet. The film is set on Christmas Eve, where Daniel Tiger, and Ian Titus, his new friend who was staying for the Christmas holiday, are sucked into The Nutcracker and go through the whole story. The film stars Keegan Hadley as one of the Title Characters, while Tom Hanks voiced The Nutcracker. Ian Titus Reprised his role as himself, while Jenna Weir (Who Played Katerina Kittycat in the series) also played Clara Stahlbaum. The film was released on December 18th, 2022 by Paramount Pictures to commemorate the 130th anniversary of “*The Nutcracker*” Ballet. The film received Generally Positive Reviews. it was nominated for an academy award for best picture, best score, and best actors. (Tom Hanks, Ian Titus, Keegan Hadley, and Jenna Weir) Critics worldwide said “While not as great or cute as the first film, it still brings Christmas cheer, adorableness, and humor to kids and even adults alike.” A 3rd film Daniel Tiger 3: Daniel and The Polar Express was released 2 years later to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the release of the 2004 Warner Brothers film, The Polar Express. The film grossed $3.7 Billion worldwide making it the 2nd highest grossing film ever only behind the first film.

## Plot:

Daniel Tiger and Ian Titus are at Daniel’s house on Christmas Eve, where they are reading “The Nutcracker” storybook when they are sucked into the story and Ian is worried because dinner was almost ready at the house. They head to Clara’s to meet her and find a place to sleep knowing that it would not work like their world. They run toward the house where they run into Clara and the 3 fall over. (Ian slides into the side of a tree with his head in the process and quotes: “If I weren’t in a Cartoon, I’d be dead as a doornail.” a direct reference to the 1992 Educautional Cartoon by the Union Pacific Railroad “Sly Fox and Birdie.”) Daniel Introduces himself while Ian is still stuck in the snow. Soon as Ian gets out of the snow, he introduces himself as well. She invites them to come to her house. Soon she gets a new nutcracker, which Ian and Daniel adore. Soon her little brother Fritz, takes the nutcracker and accidently breaks it, making Clara cry. Daniel Comforts her while Ian chases Fritz around the room and Fritz eventually drops the nutcracker, giving Clara the chance to pick it up. While Ian and Daniel are sleeping in a closet, Clara wakes them up hearing the toys come to life. Ian and Daniel follow her and then Ian, Clara, and Daniel shrink to as small as the toys. Then the mouse king comes for Ian, and Daniel tries to defend him, but the mouse king pushes him over. Just when it looks like Ian is done for, the nutcracker (Voiced by Tom Hanks.) comes in and saves Ian, and tells him to run while he fights the nutcracker. Daniel joins the fight with the nutcracker but then they are surrounded by mice and the mouse king, and Clara throws her shoe at the mouse king in the head killing him. Clara then passes out, and Ian, Daniel, and the nutcracker help her to the sugar plum fairy who revives her. They all do a dance and sing. Soon it is time for Ian and Daniel to go and they say goodbye to everyone, but then the mouse king comes back and the others are forced to help. Then the toys go back to normal again and now they have to do something before the mice get Clara. They both fight off The Mouse King and push him over the side but the mouse king nearly pulls Ian down, as he was trying to get back up. Daniel and Clara help Ian up and soon they say goodbye to her and head home. When they get back, Katerina Kittycat is just arriving for dinner and they tell her about their adventure. She is amazed and wishes she could have gone. They all sing “It’s such a good feeling,” and the film ends.

## Cast:

Tom Hanks, as The Nutcracker

Ian Titus as himself

Keegan Hedley as Daniel Tiger/Fritz

Jenna Weir as Clara Stahlbaum/Katerina Kittycat

## Production:

Originally set to be released by Warner Brothers Pictures, after trying to buy out the Company, Paramount quickly stopped them from doing it, and after the success of the first film, Fred Rogers Productions and Paramount Pictures announced a sequel set for a 2022 release date. The film was announced to be set during the Christmas Holiday, and have Tom Hanks star in the film along with Ian Titus himself.

## Release:

The film was released on December 18th, 2022 by the newly formed Subsidiary of Fred Rogers Productions, Fred Rogers Pictures, another newly formed Subsidiary, 9 Story Pictures, and Paramount Pictures. The success of the film then led to Paramount Pictures acquiring Fred Rogers Productions. (In the way that all DVD’s would be released under the Paramount Pictures Banner.) (But the shows produced by this company will remain on PBS Kids.)

## Reception:

The film received positive reviews saying that the CGI Effects were gold and were awesome and fascinating. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rating of 93%.