Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus
Barbie's fantasy journey has some dark elements.
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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 there are some dark fantasy elements and scenes of threats and peril in this Barbie movie. Aidan fights a griffin and is tossed over a cliff and left for dead. Wenlock mistreats women and turns the inhabitants of a village to stone. And, contrary to the title, there's no character named Pegasus in this movie -- although there are flying horses.
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What's the Story?
Barbie plays Princess Annika (voiced by Kelly Sheridan), a wonderful ice-skater who enjoys being outdoors more than anything. Her parents are very protective of her -- which she discovers is because her sister was kidnapped by an evil wizard named Wenlock (Colin Murdock). When Annika refuses Wenlock's marriage proposal, she watches as her family is turned to stone. She's rescued by a flying horse named Brietta (Kathleen Barr), who takes Annika to Cloud Kingdom ... where she discovers that Brietta is actually her sister, who was turned to a flying horse by Wenlock when she, too, refused to marry him. At Cloud Kingdom, Annika gets the help she needs to undergo the journey that will ultimately save her parents and defeat Wenlock. Along the way, she meets a handsome craftsman named Aidan, and sparks fly.
Is It Any Good?
True Barbie fans will enjoy this whimsical tale, but there are other better fantasy movies out there for young kids. BARBIE AND THE MAGIC OF PEGASUS targets fans of flying horses, magic spells, and wizards, but there's an eyebrow-raising subtext here: that females can be threatened into relationships that they don't want. The movie's best scenes are those in which Annika is ice skating or frolicking outdoors. Meanwhile, the scary scenes set in the Forbidden Forest might be too much for the youngest viewers. And although Annika is brave, she still requires the help of a man to get her out of trouble.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about fantasy stories. When is fantasy play healthy for young kids, and when do kids go too deep into their own heads? How does your family keep a foot rooted in reality?
This movie is targeted toward kindergarten-age kids, though preschoolers might also be watching. Do you think it's appropriate for both age groups? Why or why not?
As much as viewers may love Barbie in these movies, the goal is ultimately to sell her as a product. Check out our advice for parents about how to minimize the effects of advertising on young viewers.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: January 5, 2010
- Cast: Colin Murdock, Kathleen Barr, Kelly Sheridan
- Director: Greg Richardson
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More
- Run time: 83 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: December 18, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Charming friendship tale ties into lots of toys.
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Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow
Simple story with positive messages, lush animation.
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