“Barbie & the Three Musketeers” (2009)

Barbie & the Three Musketeers

Brief Description:

It's "all for one and one for all" in this action-filled adventure as Barbie stars as Corinne, a young country girl headed to Paris to pursue her big dream—to become a Musketeer.

Date: 2009

Genre: animated American fantasy film

Running time: 1 hour 21 minutes

Cast: 

Kelly Sheridan: Corinne (Barbie)

Willow Johnson: Aramina (Summer)

Dorla Bell: Renée (Nikki)

Kira Tozer: Viveca (Teresa)

Tim Curry: Philippe

Mark Hildreth: Louis

Bernard Cuffling: Treville

Merrilyn Gann: Mme de Bossé

Kathleen Barr: Hélène

Nicole Oliver: Corrine's mother

Amelia Henderson: Miette

David Kaye: Alexander

Brian Dobson: Brutus

Director: William Lau

Production company: Mattel Entertainment & Rainmaker Entertainment

Based on: The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas

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Setting/Aesthetic/Feel: 3/5

Okay, this is about the un-Frenchiest thing I ever saw. It's worse than the Aristocats. It's so bad. If it was a fantasy kingdom, I could take it. As France, and Paris, it's just too much 😆 however, I did enjoy the palace itself, with all its secret rooms. That part really fired my imagination! 

Characters: 3/5

While I don't actively dislike the characters, except Philippe and Mme de Bossé, I also couldn't take any of them seriously. The girls were way over the top; Louis was an idiot—a sweet idiot, but still an idiot—and M. de Treville, though nice, was a bit stupid. Hélène was just confusing; Philippe actually had a good motivation, though.

Plot: 3.5/5

It's about as far as you can get from The Three Musketeers without removing the musketeers, but anyways, the plot is about the only part that redeems it. I enjoyed the last quarter of the movie despite its stupidity (Lady BBQ? Really?) because of all the drama and action. It inspired me heavily for my own fantasy retellings. But the first 3/4s are painful. 

Romance: 3/5

Nothing inappropriate, I just found it very blah.  

Theme/Message/Topics: 3/5

It's heavily "you can do whatever you set your mind on," and "all that matters is chasing your dreams" and "girls can be whatever they like" and "boys are stupid because they underestimate girls." Personally, I don't find any of inspirational. 

Content: 5/5 (low)

Can't recall any.

Violence: 5/5 (low)

Basically none. 

Overall: 3/5

The first time I watched it, I was appalled. The second time, I enjoyed parts. Mostly, I find it inspired me.