Bibi Blocksberg and the Secret of the Blue Owls
By Danny Brogan,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dull witch sequel has mild violence, iffy wheelchair plot.
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Bibi Blocksberg and the Secret of the Blue Owls
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What's the Story?
Teen witch Bibi Blocksberg (Sidonie von Krosigk) returns in BIBI BLOCKSBERG AND THE SECRET OF THE BLUE OWLS, the German-language sequel to Bibi Blocksberg. After failing her math exams, Bibi is sent to the Altenberg boarding school for the summer, much to her annoyance. Still, despite a jealous, image-obsessed roommate and a hapless headmaster, Bibi settles in, making friends with a girl named Elea who's paralyzed and in a wheelchair. After hearing that somewhere in the school there might be a powder with magical healing powers, Bibi makes it her mission to find the powder and help Elea walk again. Unfortunately for Bibi, someone else has their eyes on the powder -- her nemesis, Rabia (Corinna Harfouch), who's escaped from her five-year exile in the Scary Moor.
Is It Any Good?
This sequel lacks any of the charm of Bibi Blocksberg's first outing and has a central storyline that's borderline offensive. While Bibi was previously a courageous, if somewhat mischievous, lead character, she now comes across as spoiled and rude -- particularly to her mother, which is too bad, as their relationship was both heartwarming and integral to the original. But it's Bibi's quest to "cure" her friend Elea's paralyzed legs that sits most uncomfortably. Bibi's heart may be in the right place, but the way the issue is handled is insensitive. One set piece that uses Elea's wheelchair as a prop feels particularly crass.
The movie touches on the fact that Bibi is now older -- Bibi and her friends are starting to have romantic relationships -- but these moments are fleeting, and we quickly return to the ponderous plot. The special effects have improved from the first movie, and Harfouch continues to have fun with the villainous Rabia. The boarding school setting gives the film even more of a Harry Potter feel. But while the first movie felt like a hat-tip to all things Potter, this just feels like a poor rip-off. Ultimately Bibi Blocksberg and the Secret of the Blue Owls is a disappointing follow-up to one that, although it wasn't great, was perfectly passable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the character of Elea in Bibi Blocksberg and the Secret of the Blue Owls. What do you think about the storyline about helping her walk again? How are characters with disabilities portrayed? Can you give any examples from other movies?
Talk about the movie's violence. Were these scenes realistic? Did the lack of blood and gore affect the impact?
How did this sequel compare to the first movie? What do you like, or don't like, about movie series?
Movie Details
- In theaters: September 30, 2004
- On DVD or streaming: November 13, 2007
- Cast: Sidonie von Krosigk , Marie Luise Stahl , Corinna Harfouch
- Director: Franziska Buch
- Studio: Constantin Film
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- Run time: 119 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
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