Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun superhero adventure; more action, peril than past films.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Barbie in Princess Power
What's the Story?
BARBIE IN PRINCESS POWER finds Barbie playing "Kara," a sweet and beautiful present-day princess. Kara is a normal princess with lofty goals (developing a community garden) and loving but over-cautious parents who refuse to let her take any risks at all, even when Kara is sure she'll be fine. It's especially hard to accept their fearfulness since Kara's two best friends, Madison and Makalya, are scientific geniuses who come up with wonderful new inventions to delight the princess. Danger lurks in the castle, however. No one is aware that the Baron, a key advisor, has hatched an evil plan (and nefarious potion) to destroy the king and rule the land himself. The real adventure begins when the Baron's potion gets away from him. A butterfly, turned into a magical force when it ingests the runaway elixir, kisses Kara with the enchantment on its lips. It's then that Super Sparkle is born. Finding joy in her new persona, Super Sparkle/Kara is soon saving the multitudes of Windermere from impending disasters. A final battle between the Baron and Kara, assisted by her formerly very jealous cousin who has found magic of her own, will determine the fate of everyone in the Kingdom.
Is It Any Good?
There are fewer simple "messages" in this Barbie movie and more adventure and derring-do; it's surprising to see fashionista, shopaholic, and iconic princess Barbie as a superhero. But it serves a very definite purpose: Barbie is effective, strong, resourceful, brave, and comfortable with power in this tale. Her two best friends are astonishingly competent in the realms of science and technology; they're fully at ease with physical facts and numbers. All in all, those traits are valuable for Barbie fans to recognize as viable for growing girls. Still, there is a lot of action and peril where very little has come to be expected, so some young fans might find it unsettling.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Barbie's new superhero personality. Why do you think the creators of Barbie wanted to introduce Super Sparkle? What new audiences and customers do you think they're trying to reach?
An increasing number of Barbie stories have Barbie playing the role of a familiar character (Barbie as Rapunzel, Barbie in The Princess and the Pauper). Do you like seeing Barbie in stories you already know? What are the advantages for filmmakers of adapting these stories to fit Barbie?
With so many new Barbie toys introduced with each new DVD, do you find yourself wanting to buy new members of the Barbie clan each time? How does your family decide if or what you can purchase?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 3, 2015
- Cast : Kelly Sheridan , Michael Kopsa , Britt Irvin
- Director : Zeke Norton
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship
- Run time : 74 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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