Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Product tie-ins overshadow this fashion travel adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Parents say the movie is highly polarizing, with many enjoying its creativity and lightheartedness, while others criticize it for being shallow and overly focused on materialism. Some reviews highlight its themes of hard work and forgiveness, but others express concern over its suitability for young audiences due to mature references and the portrayal of relationships.
- creativity focus
- materialism criticism
- positive role models
- mixed reviews
- inappropriate elements
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 7 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Barbie is starring in a movie about the Princess and the Pea, when she is fired from the set because she has expressed her opinions. Voices on the Internet slam her performances and she decides to quit her career as an actress. To top things off, Ken breaks up with her over the phone, so she decides to take drastic action and visit her Aunt Millicent in Paris. With a little help from three "flairies," she saves Aunt Millicent's fashion house by helping to design a new fashion line.
Is It Any Good?
Barbie has gone from star of the Nutcracker, to Musketeer, to problem solver in her movie career, but this movie finds her dumbed down and shallow. She says things like "wickedly mindblowing," "mega huge," and "beyond ridonkulously" when expressing her excitement. The cutesy content is a bit over the top: the scene depicting Barbie flying on an airplane to Paris with her poodle, Sequin, sharing a laugh in the seat next to her is one thing. Watching Sequin the poodle sit at a sewing machine to create a fashion ensemble is another.
There could have been some moments of inspiration in this movie, but unfortunately, it depends a little too much on magic of selling Barbie products, and not enough on substance.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether this movie focuses more on material stuff than other Barbie movies. Which Barbie movies have more meaning? Which Barbie movies are about shopping?
Barbie and her friends are super skinny and have perfect hair and teeth. Do all teens look this way? Read more about how girls are affected by the images that they see in movies and on TV.
Why has Barbie given up on her acting career? Why has Millicent given up on her designing career? How can critics influence the way artists and performers value themselves?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 14, 2010
- Cast : Adrian Petriw , Tabitha St. Germain
- Director : William Lau
- Studio : Universal Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Run time : 83 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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