Barbie as the Island Princess (2007) (V)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

Greg Richardson

Writers:

Elana Lesser (writer)
Cliff Ruby (writer)

Release Date:

18 September 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Family

Plot:

Barbie plays Rosella in this new musical film. Shipwrecked as a child, Rosella grows up on the island...

Cast

Gary Chalk	...	Frazer
Patricia Drake	...	Queen Danielle
Kate Fischer	...	Queen Marissa
Christopher Gaze	...	Sagi
Alessandro Juliani	...	Prince Antonio
Melissa Lyons	...	Rosella (singing voice)
Bets Malone	...	Tallulah
Steve Marvel	...	Azul
Britt McKillip	...	Rita
Carly McKillip	...	Gina
Candice Nicole	...	Luciana
Russell Roberts	...	King Peter
Susan Roman	...	Tika
Kelly Sheridan	...	Barbie as Rosella
Chantal Strand	...	Sofia

Also Known As:

Island Princess (Australia) (TV title)

Runtime:

USA:86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:K-3 | Portugal:M/4 | Netherlands:AL

Company:

Rainmaker Entertainment Group (REG)

Quotes:

Luciana: [lyrics] All the books I've read, all the poems always said that a heart is made to share. Joy's not found in things such as necklaces and rings, but in love that's always there: that's the jewel beyond compare.

Soundtrack:

Right Here In My Arms

Singable

I came to this because I had a bad experience watching the Disney "Cinderella," and wondered at what passed for acceptable these days. I chose what I thought would be the gene with the lowest standards. I picked wrong. I should have gone with preteen boy anime, because this is pretty darn good.

The animation is actually good. The rendering isn't naturalistic, but since this is supposed to be a doll, its apt. What struck me was how natural the movements of the princess (played by Barbie) were. I think this must have been a marketing decision, because if I recall the doll itself is stiff. The decision to have the girl play with what could be sold as stuffed animals also clearly influenced the story.

The story itself was pretty standard; one arc but with enough elaboration to qualify as long form.

But what made this stand out was the music. This was actually a very professional assembly, on the order of production values every bit as good as your standard Broadway musical. Naturally, the songs are pulled from that formula book. There's nothing to get excited about in terms of depth; its just that this was not taken lightly. The little girls who watch this, at least get the respect of not being taken for granted.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.