Barbie Girl

Mirror Mirror, on the wall

Who’s the fairest of them all?

Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs

If I could dream of one thing, it’d be the smile that you bring…

The Diamond Castle

It’s coming to that time of year again.  Thoughts of snow, whispers of how many days left and that Coca-Cola advert on telly.

Time to think about what to get my daughter for Christmas. She likes Disney Princess shiny stuff, Hello Kitty practical stuff, and Barbie dolls, accessories, costumes, the merchandise list goes on…

So,

Mirror Mirror, on the wall

Who’s the fairest of them all?

Barbie.

Why is Barbie superior to the rest?  Let’s contrast the messages Disney gives out compared to Barbie.

Disney:  You can be a princess.

Barbie:  You can be anything, you’re a Barbie Girl!

In films, Disney’s stories are often scary, weird or just plain outdated. 

If we look at ‘Snow White’ for example, we have a story about jealousy, megalomaniacal power and attempted murder by deception by a person in a position of trust.  Hmm, nice. 

What about Cinderella?  Domestic abuse.  How is she rescued from this?  The Prince fancies her.  Hmm, inspirational.

Rapunzel?  Kidnap. Hmm...

Of course, these aren’t original Disney plots.  They’re fairy tales which were in the public domain that Walt made a considerable amount of money from.  Kudos to him.

So how do Barbie films differ?

Most of the stories are original.  The main characters in the stories overcome challenges.  They do that with the help of friends.  They are moral, have integrity and do the right thing, even if (or especially if) it’s not the best thing for the character themselves.

Barbie is about overcoming fears, working as a team, being honest, keeping promises, loyalty and helping a friend in need. 

There are Barbie princesses in the films, of course.  However, even Barbie princesses learn to be aware of their environment, such as in the Princess and the Popstar/Pauper.  Each Princess takes over responsibility for the economy of their kingdom.  How about that?

In fact in that Pauper film, the Princess marries the man with whom she’s in love, not who her Mother, the Queen, thinks is right.

‘Life in the Dreamhouse’ is an excellent self-deprecating twist on herself, like when she’s asked, as she’s showing everyone her extensive wardrobe of work clothes: “You went to the moon?”  Barbie: “You haven’t?”

The films are funny, self-deprecating, moving and inspirational.  They give the viewer the belief that anything is possible.  All in a very entertaining format.  They have great music too, with catchy melodies and well-thought out lyrics.  For example,

If I could wish for one thing,

It’d be the smile that you bring,

Wherever you go in this world I’ll come along

Together we dream the same dream

Forever I’m here for you, you’re here for me

Two voices, one song

Normally I would have rebelled against the stereotype of buying Barbie for my daughter – but what’s not to like?

The ideas in these films instill the right beliefs into a child.  They're like a double-edged sword. Educational and entertaining. As a parent, if you watch them too, you can even refer to them when talking to your child, when they need advice.

And that, Your Honour, is my excuse for having 14 Barbie DVDs on my bookshelf.