I am a Barbie-Movie/Music fan, and I'm always looking forward to a new movie coming out. When I first heard of this one, I watched the trailer online and thought that it looked a little 'eh', but decided that it couldn't be all that bad.
Unfortunately, I didn't like it. After seeing all the older Barbie movies, with all the lovely music and beautiful dancing, this one looked like an overhyped CGI kung-foo movie in comparison - with a lot of action, but little plot. Yes, the colors are brighter, and Barbie's movement has become less stiff and a lot more fluid over the movies, but it seemed rather cheaply made. There were several unfinished-looking shots that seemed to just be thrown in to fill up a few seconds of space. Also, the beautiful music that was always present in "Princess and the Pauper" wasn't there. Only one song played, and it's more of a modern type. I was disappointed at that, because even though I didn't really care for "Island Princess" either, the wondrous music made it all worth it.
The plot was ok...but it never reached its full potential as a movie. The prince was - let's face it - a bit of a sissy compared to all the princes past, and has to be rescued by Barbie. (Also one shot of his face looks really weird...I thought I was just being picky until my dad said that he had noticed too.)
Despite my criticism, some parts were funny. The prince nearly smacks into a tree, Barbie and Co. change their names temporarily into food-items and the kind old maid gets her revenge on the bossy, overbearing housekeeper.
And yes, Barbie does keep her image of believing in herself and following her dreams, no matter what others say, but in this movie, she seems a little touchier about it than in others.
I still wish that they would combine the old with the new - make wonderful stories and music and combine them with stunning colors and graphics. Unfortunately, I'm not certain I will see it happen.