Review of Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams

I'm a fan of most of the films in the Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures world, even considering Barbie And Chelsea: The Lost Birthday to be underrated. However, this is one film in this world I would probably rewatch the least since I don't think it holds up. It's not that it's bad, but it sets up how the vastly overrated Barbie: It Takes Two would turn out. I'll admit that it has a strong start. Barbie Malibu Roberts goes to New York to learn more about music. Speaking of which, the songs here are pretty solid. It's not up to the standard of Barbie: Princess Adventure, but I like them enough. I think the movie kind of goes off a cliff when Barbie Brooklyn Roberts is introduced. Introducing a black main character into the cast is something I'm all for. However, I think the movie made her near flawless. She doesn't have much in the way of notable character flaws other than being a bit stubborn. The movie props her up as some kind of Messiah like figure who can do no wrong, which makes the attempt to give her flaws during the second half (where she thinks Malibu Barbie intentionally sabotaged her when that's not the case) fall flat. This in turn also makes Malibu Barbie appear far weaker than she is. Yeah, she's prone to making mistakes in her own series and other movies, and though not to the extent of her flanderized self in Barbie: It Takes Two, she seems too dependent on this girl to function. Rafa is still good as the supportive friend. Emmie is fine, though it's sad how the franchise basically treats her like an afterthought after this movie. I think this movie would've been better if it showed how both girls can help each other out, not having one be seen as better or worse than the other. It's fine, but I'm not in a hurry to watch it.