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Barbie: A Fashion Fairytale
Common Sense says
- NR
- 2010
- 83 minutes
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is a feature-length advertisement for clothing, toys, and accessories displayed within the film. While some positive messages about believing in yourself run through the movie, the overarching concentration on fashion, appearance, and consumerism overwhelm everything else.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Romance, boring, shallow and mean
Barbie sucks now
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: NR
For kids who love the doll fashionista
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.