Barbie & Her Sisters in a Pony Tale (2013 Video) User Reviews

Getting better

[ninjathesecond · 7/10 · 14 November 2013]

Well my kids enjoyed this one. The last few barbie movies they got bored and walked away, ever since she changed to a modernised barbie. The old stuff (which sold the best and is brilliant)they still love and watch.

In this one they dumped the writer and got someone new in, still felt like the same writer but it worked better.

I don't think barbie is outdated, and getting away from all that laptops, web blogs crap immensely improved the story.

Listen Mattel: if at the beginning of a story you deliberately mention a pearl handled pistol from 1908, all the way through the audience is going to be thinking, why did they show that pistol and when are they going to use it? If at the end of the story the pistol is never used at all, this leaves a sense of frustration, why bother showing it?

The same, if you fill your movies with computers, the internet, mobile phones and these are never used or play a part in the actual story, this leaves a sense of frustration in that you are trying to manipulate the situation as it has no relevance to the story. It doesn't make sense. And drives the viewers away.

That said, this movie is an improvement over recent barbie offerings, doesn't flow very well in places.

Recommended.

A very nice pony tale

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 5 August 2017]

It is very easy to meet the 'Barbie' films with a lot of dislike and scorn and they are all very lowly rated here (despite some favourable reviews). It is understandable to take issue with the dialogue (a fair few are ropy in this regard), the predictability of the stories, the odd annoying character, the animation in a few (not all are well animated) and whether there is enough for adults to keep interest.

Despite not being the main target audience, to me they are mostly better than given credit for, easy to take them for what they are and don't deserve to be dismissed as baby-ish and for little girls only (a very narrow minded generalisation). Are they animation masterpieces? No. Are they among the best films ever made? Again no. Are they worth watching if taken for what they are? Absolutely for most of them. Most of them look good if not having the polish of studios specialising in computer animation (Pixar for one), often great music, good lessons and messages, a good deal of charm, have their heart in the right place and have entertaining characters well voiced (some had actors of considerable calibre like Tim Curry, Anjelica Huston and Kelsey Grammar) and a likable title character that particularly young girls can relate to.

There are better 'Barbie' films than 'Barbie and her Sisters in a Pony Tale', such as 'Nutcracker', 'Diamond Castle', 'Island Princess', 'Pink Shoes', 'Prince and the Pauper' and 'The 12 Dancing Princesses' ('Rapunzel' and 'Swan Lake' are remembered with fondness too). There are a few not so good ones, pretty awful actually, like 'A Fairy Secret', 'A Fashion Fairytale' and 'The Princess and the Popstar'. There is agreed a preference for the original/traditional 'Barbie' than the more modernised ones, those in question did it generally very clumsily.

'Barbie and her Sisters in a Pony Tale' is not without its flaws. The dialogue is often less than brilliant, there are one too many stilted and not of particularly good quality (my definition of ropy but am trying to use another word or definition less used). While more eventful and not plodding along as much as the story for 'Barbie Mariposa and the Fairy Princess', but it does tread very familiar ground and done in a way that events are unsurprising, which occasionally takes away from the fun, and needed a little more kick in the pace.

Most of the animation is not bad at all, never is it Video Brinquedo, Spark Plug Entertainment or 'The Swan Princess' CGI-animated and 'Alpha and Omega' sequels bad (which makes one physically ill watching them). It is however not as polished as other entries in the 'Barbie' series, especially in character designs and movements that look a little stiff.

However, on the most part there are some bright colours and handsome and imaginative backgrounds and some characters move with freedom. The soundtrack is cute and catchy, though there has always been a preference for the classical music-oriented ones.

Although the story is less than perfect, like 'Barbie Mariposa and the Fairy Princess', it does have cute and charming moments and has its heart in the right place. Appreciated the positive messaging, hardly new the messages taught but done in a way that's heartfelt and not like the film is talking at you. As well as being closer to the original Barbie rather than trying to make her modern. No negative messaging like in 'A Fairy Secret' and 'A Fashion Fairytale'.

Not having the romance at the forefront and not dominating the proceedings was a good idea and instead focusing on the competition and the chemistry between Barbie and the other girls. The scenes with the wolves that parents may be worried about frightening children is not that scary, it's pretty tame compared to many other animated films with peril. Some will argue that pre-schooler girls are the main target audience, but given a chance boys and older audiences will enjoy the competitive aspects of the film and also the colourful verbal insults and sparring with the two managers of the rival riding academy.

Regarding Barbie herself, she is very likable and resourceful with a sympathetic personality that never gets annoying or bratty. The voice work is spirited, cannot imagine Barbie without Kelly Sheridan (the 'Barbie' films without her did suffer from her absence on top of even bigger problems) and she continues to grow.

Overall, nice and decent effort if not among my favourites of the franchise. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Best Barbie movie we've watched

[jocebuys · 7/10 · 25 August 2014]

I want more Barbie movies like this, my daughter, son and I all enjoy this movie which is a simple positive story for kids, especially girls.

I agree with the previous reviewer that it could have less 'Gadgets', I feel it is tied in by skipper being a teenager and being too cool for horses at the beginning but it is over- emphasised.

I love that Romance is downplayed, ken is not mentioned at all, I like his character in the life in dreamhouse series but his storyline was the lowest of many lows in fashion fairy tale. There is some flirting but it stays pretty teenage and Chelsea soon draws focus back for younger viewers.

From a feminist point of view my only criticism is that the only villain is male, but it also shows Barbie, her sisters and their aunt as assertive, caring and confident women. It has great messages for kids.

I've rated it 7, obviously that's a rating considering it's a made for video Barbie movie, it's not a great cinematic masterpiece, but it's by far the best made for video movie I can think of.

A nice movie

[dianamarinelli · 8/10 · 12 January 2021]

This movie was overall cute. Barbie and majesty were cute together. I love how the family team up to win the tournament. One thing that bother me is that the older brother was never disqualified for cheating. This movie is a good watch.

Cute film!

[AnnaPagrati · 8/10 · 23 August 2021]

I found this movie entertaining, though I caught myself feeling a little bored at times. I loved the whole extinct horses storyline, it added some mystery!