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
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.
Content that may disturb children
Under 5
In addition to the violent scenes mentioned above this movie has some scenes that could scare or disturb children under five years. For example:
- Kristyn and Hailey are transported into a magical fantasy land, where Kristyn becomes Giselle.
- The Snow Queen is an evil, scary woman.
- Rothbart is an evil, scary man.
- Rothbart casts a spell on Kristyn and Hailey with swirling black dust that turns them both into swans.
- Rothbart transforms his daughter into Odette.
- The land where the Snow Queen lives is eerie, dark and frozen. People are turned into statues everywhere.
From 5-8
In addition to the violent scenes and scary visual images mentioned above, this movie has some scenes that could scare or disturb children in this age group. For example:
- Hailey describes how Giselle dies in the ballet with a sword in her heart and how ghosts come out of their graves.
- The Snow Queen lifts Albrecht and Hilarion into the air by magic, and they fall to the ground.
- The Snow Queen makes Hailey do 100 pirouettes and laughs evilly. She also controls Kristyn like a puppet, but Kristyn manages to break out of the spell. This causes the Snow Queen to disappear in a puff of smoke.
From 8-13
Children in this age group are unlikely to be disturbed by anything in this movie.
Over 13
Nothing of concern
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.