Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow (NR, 2007)

common sense media says

Predictable Barbie story boasts great animation.


parents & educators say
  • 33% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there is an evil fairy who threatens to destroy idyllic Fairytopia. The heroine, Elina, is ostracized by other apprentices at fairy school, but meets two friends who are kind to her. When one of the mean fairy students needs help, Elina selflessly goes to her rescue, and all the apprentices learn to work together to thwart the threat to their kingdom. Girls under 8 will get the most out of the simple story on this DVD, and because it's Barbie, they will probably be begging for all the merchandise to go with it.

Positive messages: Virtuous characters are easy to spot and are rewarded; less admirable characters learn lessons about teamwork, and the meanest character is neutralized.
Violence & scariness: Evil fairy threatens to destroy Fairytopia, but carnage is limited to wilting a symbolic flower bud.
Sexy stuff: Two puffball pets engage in harmless flirtation.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Because Barbie plays the main role, there's no getting away from the toy tie-in. Character dolls, books, athletic shoes, and playsets are advertised in the DVD insert, and one of the games on the DVD can be interactive if played with a tie-in doll.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about Elina's arrival at the Crystal Palace. How did she cope when the other apprentices weren't nice to her? Have you ever been nervous to go to a new school or classroom? How did you handle it? The fairy apprentices, even the ones who don't like one another, have to work as a team to save the day. Why is it a good idea to work as a team? What would have happened if they didn't help one another?

What's the story?

What's the story?

In MAGIC OF THE RAINBOW, Barbie is back as Elina, the good fairy who has earned her wings, turned into a mermaid, and then back into a fairy. This time she's working with other fairies to save Fairytopia from green-haired Laverna, who wants to plunge Fairytopia into ten years of bitter winter by stopping the annual spring ritual to produce the first rainbow of the season. Elina is chosen as an apprentice to one of the seven Guardian fairies who oversee Fairytopia and report to its leader, the Enchantress. Elina attends fairy school with six other apprentices, most of whom resent her fame for saving Fairytopia in the past. They learn skills in magic, flance (that's flight plus dance), and luminescence. Meanwhile, the Enchantress' jealous sister, Laverna, plots to gain her sister's crown. As Laverna moves forward with her plan, Elina must get the self-involved and resentful apprentices to work together and outmaneuver Laverna's powerful fairy magic.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Children between 4 and 8 will probably enjoy the simple story, flat characters, and the triumph of good over evil. The subplot of Elina's pet puffball Bibble, whose attention is split between a loose tooth and a new friend, will work for younger kids in the tooth-losing stage as well.

There is a concise and helpful introduction recapping Elina's adventures in the first two movies, and like the other Fairytopia movies, the animation is lush and mesmerizing. Some viewers may notice that flance instruction looks suspiciously like the Dance Dance Revolution. video games.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Director: William Lau
Cast: Alistair Abell, Kathleen Barr, Sharon Alexander
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 75 minutes
Theatrical release: March 13, 2007
DVD release: March 13, 2007
MPAA Rating: NR
MPAA explanation: not rated

This review was written by Nancy Davis Kho
 
 

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What parents & educators say

5
Based on 9 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

Pretty_kitty594
teen, 14 years old
 
I almost puked when I saw this movie
This movie is horrible and stupid.I only wathed it for 5 minutes and I had to change the channel.

 
lovely!
One of my favourite Barbie films. Very enjoyable. Nothing wrong with it

thomas1foot
parent of 17 year old
 
Huh????
It is horribly violent with bloodthirsty shooting and foul language.

Rudi68
parent
 
Good for 4-9 year olds (depending on child) - positive messages
What I like about this movie and Barbie movies in general is that it is the female characters that are facing and standing up to the "bad guys" and persevering through situations. I agree that more diversity in the movies would be appropriate and that there is an opportunity here for the kids to get wrapped up in the consumerism side of things... however typically the products on the shelves only coincide with new releases, so you won't seem much available for the older movies anyway. It has been a while since I've seen this one but most of the Barbie movies play beautiful music...often classical, and/or encourages creativity.... such in Swan Lake (ballet) and Rapunzel (painting). Men or Prince Charmings may enter the stories but they do not "save the day"... the Barbie character does along with her friends.

ms.reda
parent of 17 year old
 
barbie
my sis loves that movie thats y im txting that too u she tanks its great please txt bak.

orenmerry
teen, 15 years old
 
very scary
the scaryest movie in the world

 
Another fun fairy movie
Great movie... They do need to have other races in the barbie movies, like they do in A Christmas Carol. But it still has a great message Not sure how this could encourage a girl to go around kissing boys...sounds more like a parenting problem than a movie problem

rosarose
kid, 11 years old
 

 
lack of diversity
I have several of the barbie movies and my daughter is in love with them. I enjoy watching them with her. However, I've noticed the lack of diversity in every single one that I have watched. They are all white people. I am white myself but my children are multiracial and I know lots of other children of different races. I think barbie needs to start coming out with movies that depict different cultures and races. Why are they all the White race. I love the movies but I think that barbie needs to think about a little more diversity when it comes to culture and race.

toddmillervt
parent of 5 and 7 year old
 
Maudlin consumerism that has great message and role models
We don't have a t.v. and don't live near any stores, so the consumerism angle is not a factor for us. The story is told in a way that really appeals to the best in my 4 y.o. son and 6 y.o. daughter. They LOVE it. Usually after a movie they are all wound up and react angrily. After this (and most other Barbie movies) they are very sweet and polite. It's painful for me to watch it, but the Barbie movies are the go to movies for us when our kids want to see something.

Nectaria
teen, 17 years old
 

Caeli
adult
 
Great lessons on how to deal with mean friends
My 3 year old loved this movie and just had to watch it every day for a week. I liked that the main character was quick to help a person who was never even a little bit nice to her. The puffballs, however, were very annoying, and my daughter is still randomly imitating them a month later!

TKDTaylor97
teen, 14 years old
 
This was a cute movie
So what if you almost puked my siseter watches this movie and i watched it with her a few tymes its not bd its aobut a girl who a fairy and triess to svat he land form the evil person its nice for younger kids like 5 and down

debbieb
adult
 
My 4 yr old girl started kissing boys after watching this!
My 4 yr old daughter had this initially sweet lovey look in her eyes the first few times she watched this (before I watched it). Then she started kissing boys at school, and when I watched it I realized why! There are love undertones throughout and I didn't realize the effect it might have. I would still buy it again, but maybe watch it with her and watch it only occasionally.

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age