NUTCRACKER, THEN & amp; NOW How Barbie's version differs from the classic

NUTCRACKER
Then and now
Here's a quick look at some of the other differences between the traditional story and Mattel's new version:
IN THE TRADITIONAL "NUTCRACKER" STORY:
How it begins: Clara and her brother, Fritz, live with their parents, the Stahlbaums. At a Christmas Eve party, their godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, arrives with gifts for the children.
The nutcracker gift: Herr Drosselmeyer brings something for all the children at the party -- but the most impressive gift of all goes to Clara: a toy soldier nutcracker. Fritz is jealous; he begins to pester his sister, and the nutcracker gets broken.
Nighttime activities: After the party, Clara and Fritz are sent off to bed -- but Clara sneaks down to the parlor to check on her nutcracker. At the stroke of midnight, an army of rats and mice scurries out, and Clara's nutcracker springs to life to lead an army of toy soldiers.
The battle: The mice and toy soldiers fight, with the Mouse King and the Nutcracker in direct combat. Just when it appears that the Nutcracker may lose the battle, Clara throws her shoe at the Mouse King and he collapses, dead.
The journey begins: When the Mouse King dies, a terrible magic spell is broken: The wooden nutcracker turns into a handsome prince. To reward Clara for breaking the spell, the Nutcracker Prince takes her on a magical journey.
Travels: Clara and the prince travel through the Land of Snow, where they meet the Snow Queen and watch the famous Dance of the Snowflakes.
Dance for two: The two then travel to the Kingdom of Sweets, where they are greeted by the Sugarplum Fairy and are entertained by dancers from all over the world. Here, the Sugarplum Fairy dances a grand pas de deux, a "dance for two," with the Nutcracker Prince.
The big ending: Do you think we're going to give it away?
IN "BARBIE IN THE NUTCRACKER":
How it begins: Clara and her brother, Tommy, live with their grandfather Drosselmeyer. On Christmas Eve, their aunt Elizabeth arrives with stories of her travels -- and gifts.
The nutcracker gift: Aunt Elizabeth gives Tommy a toy soldier, and to Clara she presents a wooden nutcracker. Tommy tries to take Clara's gift away, and the nutcracker's arm breaks off.
Nighttime activities: Clara falls asleep on the couch, holding her nutcracker. At midnight, Clara awakens, the Nutcracker springs to life, and the Mouse King and his army emerge from a hole in the parlor wall.
The battle: The Nutcracker faces an advancing army of mice. When the Mouse King attacks the Nutcracker, Clara tries to interfere. The Mouse King uses his magic sword to make her shrink to the size of a mouse. Clara and the Nutcracker try to climb up on the fireplace mantel. When the Mouse King follows, Clara kicks off her tiny slipper and it knocks the evil mouse down.
The journey begins: The Nutcracker, relieved that his life has been spared, thanks Clara. But mouse-size Clara soon learns that if she wants to return to her normal size, she must go on a journey to find the Sugarplum Princess -- who lives on an island across the Sea of Storms. Clara is given a locket and told that once she finds the princess, it will bring her home.
Travels: Clara decides she wants to go with the Nutcracker to search for the Sugarplum Princess. On their way to the kingdom Barthenia, the pair take a wrong turn and end up in a land of snow. There they encounter tiny snow fairies, who perform a magnificent dance in the air.
Dance for two: Clara and the Nutcracker finally get to Barthenia, where they learn that the Mouse King has taken over the kingdom and made everyone unhappy. The two continue to search for the Sugarplum Princess, along with new friends Major Mint and Captain Candy. Clara learns that the Nutcracker is really Prince Eric, the rightful leader of Barthenia who was overthrown by the Mouse King and turned into a wooden nutcracker. Clara manages a number of brave and daring feats, including outwitting evil bats and a terrifying Rock Giant, rescuing her friends from prison and standing up to the Mouse King in his final battle with the Nutcracker. When the Mouse King's spell is eventually broken, the Nutcracker turns back into the handsome Prince Eric. And suddenly, Clara realizes she was the Sugarplum Princess all along.
Prince Eric and Clara dance a pas de deux and he asks her to stay with him.
The big ending: Same as above.