 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Barbie: Princess Charm School
- Review Date: October 26, 2011
- NR
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Stereotypes and marketing mar story of likable underdog.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this direct-to-DVD movie is an installment in Mattel's ever-growing list of cleverly marketed tie-ins to their newest Barbie collections. While there's little objectionable content in the story (besides the inclusion of a perpetually ignorant "air head" character), the entire movie is made to boost advertising and generate even more interest in the dolls and their accessories -- in this case about a princess academy where one spot is reserved for a lottery winner who will learn how to be a lady-in-waiting to royalty. Despite the emphasis on makeovers and fashion, there's a stronger than usual focus on practicing skills (even if they're of the "finishing school" variety), telling the truth, and being kind to those less fortunate.
What's the story?
Blair Willows (voiced by Diana Kaarina) is a waitress trying to help support her mother and younger sister. One day she returns home from work to discover that she's unexpectedly won a televised lottery to attend the exclusive Princess Charm School, an elite boarding academy where she can train to become a princess or royal lady in waiting. Blair reluctantly agrees to attend to provide a better life for her family, but besides her kind roommates, she quickly becomes the target of the school's queen-to-be Delancy (Brittney Wilson) and her snobby mother, professor Dame Devin (Nicole Oliver). Although the Devins try to sabotage Blair's time at Charm School, the sympathetic Miss Privet (Morwenna Banks) tutors her so she can reach graduation day.
Is it any good?
Barbie keeps adding various careers and storylines to her repertoire, and in this incarnation, she's a kind and loving princess student. Never mind that in reality, royalty is all about birthright and doesn't provide "scholarships" for random wannabes, the fairy tale will delight young girls who will look past the budget computer animation (backgrounds are fuzzy, and everything looks amateurish, without detail) and the preposterous.
While hardworking Blair is a vast improvement over a couple of other Barbie protagonists, one of the movie's most disturbing characters is Portia (Ali Liebert) -- a "dumb girl" who takes things literally because she's so ignorant. Even pseudo-villain Delancy redeems herself, but a girl as air-headish as Portia is an awful role model for girls, who may think she's funny. There are many flaws in this formulaic princess flick, but at least Blair will show that if you practice again and again, you'll get better at everything -- from posture and dancing to, one hopes, much more important endeavors.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether this movie focuses more or less on consumerism (fashion and the "rich and famous" lifestyle) than other Barbie movies. How is Blair different than the other charm school students? Why is she a more likable underdog than the other characters?
Kids: Does seeing this movie make you more interested in buying the dolls and accessories? Parents: How can you focus on the movie's positive themes without giving in to the merchandising impact?
In the movie, even beautiful Blair is made to feel lowly because she doesn't come from a wealthy family. Which of the charm-school students make her welcome, and which ones criticize her and act threatened?
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AGE
Hour Long Barbie Commercial
I let my 5 year old daughter watch this film because thought it would be a fantastic movie for all the girls in the family. But as soon as the title came up it was like watching a hour long commercial of barbie dolls. My daughters now want to play prince and princesses with the boys at school. I do not like this. I hate going to the shops every couple of days buy the stupid new barbie doll. She spends all her money on barbie video games and stupid dolls.
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Kid, 10 years old
November 22, 2011
AGE
a great little kids movie!
i hate this movie it boring!!! but it great for little kids also there are lots of things i see that i see at the toy store.
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AGE
Horrible movie with a worthless message
This movie is beyond ridiculous. I had high hopes for it in the beginning, watching Barbie work hard to help support her family. The moment Charm School began, I was horrified. Barbie was subjected to mean girl behavior, and bullying by a teacher. The message of the movie was all about appearance, and that princesses are only concerned with pouring tea and curtsying. The worst was the ending of the movie, in which Barbie rewards her bully with a coveted position for her "help". Her two best pals are completely overlooked and tossed aside, while a bully who did nothing but leave a window open to encourage a home invasion gets rewarded. NOT an appropriate message. Just, no.
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AGE
The Other Side of Barbie
This movie is wonderful because it isn't your typical Barbie movie. To start: Blair (Barbie) and her little sister Emily were adopted. Also, Barbie isn't rich. She works as a waitress and she and Emily and their mother live in a small apartment in a run down neighborhood. Their mother is also very ill and unable to work, so Blair is the main source of income. It's interesting that the producers choose to have Blair not fit at Princes Charm School, rather than be the popular girl. Over all a very good Barbie movie for the whole family to enjoy.
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AGE
Worthwhile messages
Despite the princess trappings, I liked this Barbie movie better than some of the others. There was almost no boy girl stuff and since the princess accoutrements were already at the school, there was no shopping. The movie made a strong point that a person's value is inherent and not defined by other people's words, beliefs or actions. Blair took this message to heart and came to value herself, her beliefs and her abilities despite her detractors. The headmistress made a wise observation that confidence that is not backed up by character leads to arrogance (paraphrase). Despite the poor values and behaviour modeled by her mother, Delancy learned that she valued what was right and could do the right thing. In the end, she didn't let herself be defined by her poor upbringing or use it as an excuse to continue behaving badly. Poise, manners and gracious behaviour are shown to be worthy skills that don't come automatically with a title. Blair models the value of forgiveness and family by choosing Delancy (her cousin) as her lady royal. (Yes, her friends stood by her longer, but as princesses, they didn't need the job.) The airhead character was an unfortunate and unecessary addition. However, since her lack of discernment led her to engage in bullying I was able to use the character to discuss with my daughters the value of thinking critically about what others (friends, adults, movies with merchandizing tie-ins) might be asking them to believe or do.
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| Topics: | princesses and fairies |
| Studio: | Universal Studios Home Entertainment |
| Directors: | Terry Klassen, Zeke Norton |
| Cast: | Brittney Wilson, Diana Kaarina |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 81 minutes |
| DVD release date: | September 13, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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