Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow
Simple story with positive messages, lush animation.
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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 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.
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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?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 13, 2007
- On DVD or streaming: March 13, 2007
- Cast: Alistair Abell, Kathleen Barr, Sharon Alexander
- Director: William Lau
- Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More
- Run time: 75 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- MPAA explanation: not rated
- Last updated: October 14, 2022
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