The
fashion doll gets a new BFF, Brooklyn Barbie, in her 39th animated movie – a garishly pink musical, despite efforts to address diverse body-image issues
A live action Barbie movie directed by Greta Gerwig and starring
Margot Robbie is on its way; in the meantime there’s this: the 39th animated feature for the improbably proportioned fashion doll. And you thought Rocky had a lot of sequels. Since 2001, when Mattel first discovered a computer-animated film franchise could be used to drive up doll sales, Barbie has swum with dolphins, joined a spy squad and had more “princess adventures” than
Meghan Markle on a wilderness trek.
This time, she leaves her Malibu Dreamhouse to spend the summer at a performing arts programme in NYC, and no sooner has her yellow taxi crossed the Hudson than she’s making forever
Friends. Her main new pal is Barbie’s doppelganger in all but skin tone and hair texture. Since they even have the same name (“It’s cosmic destiny!”), they decide to go by home town monikers. And yes, Brooklyn Barbie is already available at all good toy retailers. “Malibu” and “Brooklyn” then prepare to perform at the end of term show, with a little help from a flamboyant fashion student and, for some reason, a cute puppy.