Meg G
iconic movie, iconic songs. one of the best classic barbie movies
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/16/24
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butterfly2507
it's cute. is it the best story ever? no but it's definitely entertaining :)
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/13/24
Full Review
Jessa H
Since 2001, Mattle has been releasing a variety of computer-generated films focusing around one of their most recognizable faces – Barbie. They have ranged from stories about Barbie and her sisters going on adventures to recreating fairy tales with Barbie, as an actress, in the starring role. "Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper" was the fourth installment in the Barbie Cinematic Universe (BCU) but is culturally significant as it was the first musical put out by the studio. It was, in a way, the blueprint for a lot of the future movies to come from Mattle, which is why you will find it near the top of a lot of favorite Barbie movie lists.
In the same kingdom, two girls who look exactly alike end up meeting. Even though they come from completely different lives – Anneliese is a princess about to be married off to a stranger and Erika works in a dress shop to pay off her parents' debt – they have similar goals of being free. Preminger also has a goal…to run the kingdom. To do this, he concocts a plan that involves kidnapping Anneliese. When her tutor, Julian, begins piecing the puzzle together, he asks Erika to take Anneliese's place and meet King Dominick. But Preminger and his goons won't stop until he is king.
The animation – especially of the older movies – is not up to par compared to what was coming out from studios like Disney and Pixar at the same time. Fans of these films usually ignore how clunky some of the scenes look. If anything, sometimes it adds to the charm of the movie; some scenes look so awkward but it makes sense for the craziness that is currently taking place. It is most noticeable when it comes to the way some of the animal sidekicks move. Sometimes their body parts go through walls or floors or the movement of their hips just does not match with how their feet are moving. But the story makes all of the outdated (even by 2004 standards) animation a thing of no concern.
The idea of having two characters that look alike switch places with each other is not a new concepts. The BCU even uses it multiple times throughout their 42 different movies. But this movie has such a fun allure to it thanks to a relatively simple story. This could have easily been super corny or a really bad premise but is saved thanks to how enjoyable each of the characters are. Princess Anneliese understands her duty to her kingdom, which is why she agrees to marry a stranger to help the people once the gold runs up in the mines. But along the way, we learn about how she cares deeply about her studies and helping her people of the kingdom. While she may have been a little naive at the beginning of the movie about how hard some of her people are struggling. We also have Erika, working a horrible job for a horrible boss who dreams of being a traveling singer. She acts as the relatable character for the audience as she learns what it means to be a princess, being goofy and silly along the way. Julian as Princess Anneliese's tutor and best friend is one of the best leading men in the BCU because of how kind and caring for not just Anneliese but all of the people around him. He wants to make sure that the kingdom is fully supported and that is done by being more of the "regular man" in the palace. King Dominick does not have much to do with his limited screen time, but still brings charm during his scenes. But of course the absolute standout is Martin Short as the villain Preminger. If the budget didn't go to the animation, then it definitely went to paying Short for his voice performance. Having big names as the villains is not new for a few of the older movies, but none of them hold a candle to what Short is giving. He is crazy, sporadic, intense and just overall steals every scene he is in. If anything, his wacky performance should be the only convincing you need to watch the movie.
The main reason fans of Barbie tend to love this film in particular is thanks to the songs. Written by Amy Powers, Megan Cavallari, and Rob Hudunt and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, every song shines during its moment in the movie. Not only do they fit perfectly within the narrative of the film, but each one is just a bop. You have the classics you would find in this type of movie – the "I Want" song, the villain song, the love song, etc. But there is the perfect amount where the fact that it is a musical does not overstay its welcome. The beginning half of the movie is more song-heavy than the later half, but it feels right with the way the story goes. You will not be able to get any of these songs out of your head while also enjoying the important messages of being yourself, following your heart, and learning more about you.
Is this a high-brow and top tier animated film? No, not really. But with its family-friendly fun story and some of the most memorable songs, it ranks among the most enjoyable for all ages. It reminds me of singing along with my sister and sharing my love for the Barbie brand, making it a perfect movie for me.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
12/07/23
Full Review
Chynna B
This film is one of the most well-thought-out films of all time. The animation is perfect. Finally, a movie or TV show that does not vilify cats.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/21/23
Full Review
Sarah S
How can I refuse
5 stars.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
07/31/23
Full Review
Alex C
I had these dolls as a child and I remember the trauma of my parents trying to take them away from me. The brunette barbie made me feel pretty when I was little because it seemed like only the blonde girls were considered pretty at the time. What a slay.
Anyways, I decided to rewatch this. Turns out, this movie is funny to my little brain.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
09/04/23
Full Review
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