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Story

This is the latest animation featuring the doll character Barbie. This time Barbie is in the role of Kristyn Farraday, an aspiring ballerina.

Kristyn (voice of Kelly Sheridan) is a hard-working young ballet dancer, but she is frustrated because the lead roles always go to Tara (Ali Liebert). While Kristyn is rehearsing for the showcase performance, Madame Natasha (Tabitha St Germaine) scolds her for not following instructions perfectly. This upsets Kristyn and makes her feel like a failure. Feeling sad and needing new ballet shoes, Kristyn visits the wardrobe mistress, Madame Katarina (Lori Triolo), who gives her a pair of bright pink ballet shoes. When Kristyn puts on the new shoes, they transport her and her friend Hailey, (Katie Crown) the seamstress, to a fantasy land of classical ballet sets.

Kristyn finds herself dancing the parts of both Giselle and Odette from Swan Lake. She’s also pursued by Albrecht and Prince Siegfried, who both want to marry her. The wicked Snow Queen (Tabitha St Germaine) and the evil Rothbart (Bill Mondy) are after her too.

When Kristyn and Hailey finally return to reality, Kristyn has learned the importance of following your own heart, particularly when it comes to dancing.

Themes

Fantasy; good versus evil; ballet

Violence

This movie has some mild accidental harm and violence. For example:

  • Kristyn falls during practice.
  • Tara’s father tries to intimidate Madame Natasha.
  • Albrecht and Hilarion fight over Giselle.
  • The Snow Queen turns people she doesn’t like into statues, including Hailey.
  • Albrecht and Hilarion shoot arrows at some swans, who are actually Kristyn and Hailey in disguise.
  • Swans start attacking people at the ball.

Sexual references

The limited sexual references in this movie include mild romance between characters and several marriage proposals.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

None of concern

Nudity and sexual activity

None of concern

Product placement

This movie features the Barbie brand and associated merchandise.

Coarse language

This movie has some name-calling.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Barbie in the Pink Shoes is an animated fantasy in which the Barbie character plays the role of Kristyn, a young ballerina. It touches on some classical ballets including Giselle, Swan Lake and the Snow Queen.

There are some scary scenes and characters that might worry children under seven years, but these are handled fairly lightly. The movie is therefore suitable for most children with some guidance. It is likely to appeal particularly to girls who are interested in ballet or in Barbie.

The main messages from this movie are that you should follow your heart and that good wins over evil.

Values that you could reinforce with your children include loyalty, friendship and self-belief.

This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children – particularly girls – about the pressures of being and looking perfect.

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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