For the past few years, Mattel’s BARBIE line has been dwindling in the sales and interest department – trumped in large part by their own MONSTER HIGH and EVER AFTER HIGH doll collections. While we have quite the Barbie collection here at Rock Father HQ, day-to-day interest isn’t as big as some of our other toys… until a new movie comes along. The Barbie animated films from Universal Studios Home Entertainment are a big deal around here, and while nothing has come close to the PRINCESS & THE POPSTAR film in terms of popularity with my girls (they’re still into it a few years later), I have a feeling that it’s about to be knocked-down a few notches by what’s coming next: BARBIE in PRINCESS POWER – a full-blown superhero adventure. Due on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD on March 3, with the toy line hitting stores right now, this just may be the perfect Spring movie for kids that dig both royals and superheroes.
BARBIE in PRINCESS POWER:
Barbie™ stars as Kara™, a modern-day princess with an everyday life. One day, after being kissed by a magical butterfly, Kara™ soon discovers she has super powers allowing her to transform into Super Sparkle™, her secret, crime-fighting alter ego who flies around the kingdom ready to save the day! But it’s not long before her jealous cousin catches the butterfly and also transforms – this time into Dark Sparkle™, her nemesis. Their rivalry takes to the skies, but when they discover the kingdom’s true enemy, can they put aside their differences to form one super team? Soar to new heights and discover that there’s no greater power than the power of friendship!
I first spotted the PRINCESS POWER dolls in-stores a few days before Christmas and had to steer my oldest in a different direction. Given that our dress-up closet has a healthy mix of princess dresses (Anna, Elsa, Ariel, Cinderella, Belle and Sofia the First for sure), super hero costumes (Batgirl, Supergirl, Spider-man/Spider-girl, Rocket Raccoon off-hand) and Barbie dresses (“transforming” PRINCESS & THE POPSTAR ones), PRINCESS POWER is gonna be a magnet. Figure in the fact that the title alone recalls another Mattel property – SHE-RA: PRINCESS OF POWER – and that a couple of the secondary characters (Maddy & Abby) even look a bit inspired by that MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE spin-off, and you’ve got 30-somethings like myself curious as well. Plus, check out Ken rockin’ that Clark Kent look…
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Now, while PRINCESS POWER could be a big deal, word on the street is that the next BARBIE in ROCK’N ROYALS will be coming out this Fall, and that the teaser will be on PRINCESS POWER. Longtime readers might recall that I bought the girls a vintage (but still sealed) BARBIE AND THE ROCKERS “Hot Rockin’ Stage” for Christmas of 2013… something that was featured here. This year might get expensive. Stay tuned…
