Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Shopping and cattiness dominate weak Barbie effort.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 12 kid reviews
Kids say this movie largely feels like a marketing tool rather than a compelling story, with underdeveloped characters and repetitive themes focused on fashion and consumerism. While some younger viewers may find enjoyment in the fairy-related content, many critics express disappointment over its lack of substance and creativity, deeming it uninteresting and not worth watching.
- shallow characters
- marketing focus
- repetitive themes
- lack of depth
- mixed age appeal
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Barbie (voiced by Diana Kaarina) is getting ready for a walk down the red carpet with the help of her stylist friends Taylor (Kate Higgins) and Carrie (Cassandra Morris). When she gets to her movie debut, her co-star, Raquelle (Britt Irvin), ruins her dress. Not to worry! Barbie's stylists know what to do, and, as if by magic, her dress is repaired. But magic actually is at work, since the stylists are really fairies. Meanwhile, a spellbound fairy princess kidnaps Ken to be her fiance, which means that Barbie and her fairy friends have to do some fancy maneuvering to save him.
Is It Any Good?
There isn't much substance to BARBIE: A FAIRY SECRET, which makes its faults all the more obvious. Most glaring is the gotta-have-it shopping compulsion that dominates the plot. One of the role model-type adults admits that she has created fairy transport portals to take her to "two of my favorite shopping spots when I just can't wait" to buy something. That's not just a subtle pitch for kids to get hooked on spending -- it's a frontal assault.
Though it's targeted at younger kids, there are themes here that are better suited to tweens and teens -- like very sarcastic, catty comments among frenemies, girls flirting with other girls' boyfriends, and plots to undermine girls' success. Most of these issues are confronted and dealt with, but with what consequences? There's too much Real Housewives and not enough fairy innocence in this movie for it to be recommended.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about product placement. Do you notice certain items in the movie that you've also seen in a store? How are they are advertised in this movie? Does seeing a toy or other product in a movie or TV show make you want to buy it?
Raquelle admits that she has been mean to Barbie because she felt insecure about herself. How else do we act out when we feel badly about ourselves? What are more constructive ways to make ourselves feel better?
Ken is kidnapped and forced to wed a princess. What's unusual about that set-up? Who usually rescues whom?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 15, 2011
- Cast : Adrian Petriw , Britt Irvin , Diana Kaarina
- Director : William Lau
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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