Review: Barbie Diaries (C)

Barbie Diaries (2006)
Animated
MPAA: Not Rated

Reviewed by Ellyn Elm.

Ok, I confess. I did not want to like this movie. Barbie has been my mortal enemy for quite some time now, and I'm not particularly ready to give up this battle. But, as your intrepid DVD reviewer, it's my duty to give everyone (even Barbie) a fair shake.

Barbie Diaries pays homage to one of my all-time favorite DVDs, Heathers. In fact, I suspect the writers were watching Heathers while they wrote the script for this one. So, the Barbie Diaries actually has some pretty crisp dialogue. The story is relatively simple, with Barbie going through the ups and downs of being a teenager and all that entails. The writers go to great lengths to promote the idea that Barbie, contrary to everything little girls around the world have been told, is not the most popular girl. Barbie contends with rivals in this movie and shows her vulnerable side by getting dumped by a boy. What I liked about this movie was that it portrayed Barbie as a complex individual. She has problems, dreams, aspirations and devastations. Barbie is not just another pretty face.

But, ultimately, a lot about the movie is superficial and droll. Typical. Furthermore, the animation is bad. Really bad. Like 1992 video game bad. And, that's too bad because the storyline and original music are essentially good.

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