Why Old Barbie Movies are Superior | The Daily Star
Skip to main content
E-paper বাংলা
T
TODAY’S NEWS
Govt sets Padma bridge tolls, issues gazette 'Returned home with sole purpose of putting smiles on people's faces' No Covid-19 deaths in 24 hours, current positivity rate 0.75% Shwapno makes export debut Only 8% of insurers preparing adequately for climate change impact Khandaker Mosharraf's brother denied bail in Tk 2000cr money laundering case Stocks fall for fifth consecutive day PK Halder placed on 10-day remand in India Tamim’s wait for landmark 5k runs extended  Rajshahi madrasa teacher sent to jail for beating up class 4 student Tigers to play tri-nation series in NZ before T20 World Cup Existing tier-based tax structure failed to stop increasing tobacco use Tamim brings up 10th Test ton; closes in on 5K landmark Dhaka court dismisses petition seeking travel ban on Bashundhara MD Arrest warrants issued against Evaly CEO Rassel, 2 others in cheque fraud case
The Daily Star
Journalism Without Fear or Favour
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
  • E-paper
  • বাংলা
TODAY’S NEWS
Govt sets Padma bridge tolls, issues gazette 'Returned home with sole purpose of putting smiles on people's faces' No Covid-19 deaths in 24 hours, current positivity rate 0.75% Shwapno makes export debut Only 8% of insurers preparing adequately for climate change impact Khandaker Mosharraf's brother denied bail in Tk 2000cr money laundering case Stocks fall for fifth consecutive day PK Halder placed on 10-day remand in India Tamim’s wait for landmark 5k runs extended  Rajshahi madrasa teacher sent to jail for beating up class 4 student Tigers to play tri-nation series in NZ before T20 World Cup Existing tier-based tax structure failed to stop increasing tobacco use Tamim brings up 10th Test ton; closes in on 5K landmark Dhaka court dismisses petition seeking travel ban on Bashundhara MD Arrest warrants issued against Evaly CEO Rassel, 2 others in cheque fraud case
The Daily Star
Tuesday, May 17, 2022 | Journalism Without Fear or Favour
  • Home
  • News
    • Bangladesh
    • Asia
    • World
  • Views
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Health
    • Diseases
    • Healthcare
    • Food
  • Coronavirus
  • Sports
    • Cricket
    • Football
    • More Sports
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Global Economy
    • Organisation News
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Film
    • Music
    • Theatre & Arts
  • Culture
    • Art & Design
    • Books
  • Life & Living
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Food & Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
  • Youth
    • Education
    • Careers
    • Young Icons
  • Tech & Startup
    • Science, Gadgets, and Tech
    • Startups
    • Automobiles
  • Feature
    • Lifestyle
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Showbiz
    • Star Health
    • Satireday
    • Shout
    • Toggle
    • Star Literature
    • In Focus
    • Star Youth
    • Law & Our Rights
    • Daily Star Books
    • Roundtables
    • Supplements
  • Environment
    • Climate crisis
    • Natural resources
    • Pollution
  • NRB
বাংলা T
  • Home
  • News
    • Bangladesh
    • Asia
    • World
  • Views
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Health
    • Diseases
    • Healthcare
    • Food
  • Coronavirus
  • Sports
    • Cricket
    • Football
    • More Sports
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Global Economy
    • Organisation News
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Film
    • Music
    • Theatre & Arts
  • Culture
    • Art & Design
    • Books
  • Life & Living
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • Food & Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
  • Youth
    • Education
    • Careers
    • Young Icons
  • Tech & Startup
    • Science, Gadgets, and Tech
    • Startups
    • Automobiles
  • Feature
    • Lifestyle
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Showbiz
    • Star Health
    • Satireday
    • Shout
    • Toggle
    • Star Literature
    • In Focus
    • Star Youth
    • Law & Our Rights
    • Daily Star Books
    • Roundtables
    • Supplements
  • Environment
    • Climate crisis
    • Natural resources
    • Pollution
  • NRB

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • SMS Subscription
  • Apps
  • Comment Policy
  • RSS
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Conference Hall
  • Archives
SHOUT
PLAYWATCH

Why Old Barbie Movies are Superior

Ziba Mahdi
Thu Jun 24, 2021 12:00 AM Last update on: Thu Jun 24, 2021 12:26 AM

It's established at this point that old Barbie movies are better, so there's no point in rehashing that argument. But in order to find out why exactly they were better, I went on a Barbie movie marathon this quarantine.

Just like Disney, Barbie films had some common themes (e.g. power of friendship, happily ever after, etc.), but that was where similarities ended. Each of the stories had their own unique themes. A magical paintbrush that let Rapunzel paint herself outside of the tower, a purple Pegasus, a beautiful peacock ball gown, charming ballet scenes, dreamy underwater aesthetic: stuff like this just stuck with you even after the movie was over.

For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.

The newer ones had storylines that sounded fun enough on paper, but came off as bland and forgettable. They seem dumbed down to a point where anyone can tell how the story will end after the first five minutes. Some of them borrowed themes from their older counterparts, making minor tweaks along the way, which just made it worse. There are some exceptions, though. Princess Charm School and A Fashion Fairytale turned out pretty decent, and I say this as an adult.

The picturesque environments are something you can't ignore when it comes to Barbie. One would think that newer animations would trope older ones, but that wasn't the case here. Most of the modern flicks look like any other animated movie nowadays, just in a flashy pink setting. Pre-2010 ones had something that was distinctly Barbie. The illustrations were stunning and immediately transported you to the elegant sceneries. And the best part is that there was always a transformation with a sparkly dress involved.

Beautiful paraphernalia weren't the only thing setting these movies apart. Catchy songs and ethereal instrumentals were a staple of the earlier films. "Shine" from Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses, "Free" from Barbie as the Princess & the Pauper, "All for One" from Barbie & the Three Musketeers are still stuck in my head a decade later. The instrumentals worked as a nice complement to the magical backgrounds.

The villains and supporting characters (most of whom were cute animals) were pretty memorable too. Preminger even had his own villain anthem. Then there was Bibble, known for his adorable babbling, and Shiver, who made me want to keep a baby polar bear as a pet.

I'll admit, I'm slightly (read: very) biased here since the classics were a big part of my childhood, but Barbie's decreasing popularity, even among kids, solidifies my position somewhat. There was even a petition requesting Mattel to bring back the old version of the blonde icon. There have also been numerous rankings ranging from Buzzfeed to YouTube videos, and you'll rarely see a recent movie making it to the top. Of course, this won't stop me from watching anything with Barbie in the near future.

Ziba Mahdi is your resident pessimist. Cheer her up at www.facebook.com/ziba.mahdi.735

Related topic
barbie / movies / childhood
Apple Google
Click to comment

Comments

Comments Policy

Related News

SHOUT

Your Guide to Writing A Netflix Teen Drama

SHOUT

How “American” Is American Pop Culture?

Life & Living

8 female lead movies to watch

Life & Living

Must Watch Films of 2021

Back Page

Drawing strength from a mother's memories

The Daily Star  | বাংলা
৮ মিনিট আগে|অপরাধ ও বিচার

পি কে হালদার আরও ১০ দিনের রিমান্ডে

ভারতে গ্রেপ্তার প্রশান্ত কুমার (পি কে) হালদারের আরও ১০ দিনের রিমান্ড মঞ্জুর করেছেন কলকাতার একটি বিশেষ আদালত।

১ ঘণ্টা আগে|বাংলাদেশ

দেশের দুঃখী মানুষের মুখে হাসি ফোটাতে দেশে ফিরেছিলাম: প্রধানমন্ত্রী

The Daily Star
Follow Us
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • SMS Subscription
  • Apps
  • Comment Policy
  • RSS
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Conference Hall
  • Archives
© 2022 thedailystar.net | Powered by: RSI LAB
Copyright: Any unauthorized use or reproduction of The Daily Star content for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited and constitutes copyright infringement liable to legal action.