WARNING; SPOILERS AHEAD. IN THE THIRD PARAGRAPH I REVEAL A MAJOR TWIST.
Let me start by saying this movie doesn't EXACTLY follow the original plot. The four things aren't different types of ballet, they're the realms, and aren't ballet. There is ballet at some point in the movie as the history exposition, and some more during credits. Besides that, there isn't any ballet.
If you see this as a standalone, though? I find it amazing. A previous reviewer said she never apologizes- did they SEE the ending? She finds her father, and apologizes. Then he apologizes and says he knows how hard losing his wife/her mom is on everyone. She then plays music from her egg her mom gave her, and they dance like her father had asked at the beginning of the movie.
The twist with Mother Ginger was amazing. I only called it when Sugarplum said the soldiers that were empty shells were perfect because "They'll do only as /I/ say. The perfect army." I had suspicions when mother ginger acted truly concerned for Clara once she got her key, but Sugar's comment sealed the deal. It happened, and I was so excited that I had spotted it. I wouldn't call it predictable. I'd call it fun to figure out.
All in all, I found this movie absolutely wonderful. I'm saddened that many others didn't, but I still recommend this movie.