Barbie in Rock 'N Royals (2015)

I occasionally watch Barbie films for fun. They're always cheesy, but they can be enjoyable to watch, and I always laugh at the cheesier/weirder parts. Some I even enjoy unironically.But then there are the ones with absolutely no effort. And that's what Rock 'n Royals was.This movie is a mix of Barbie Princess Charm School, Barbie Princess and the Popstar, and both Camp Rock movies. The basic plot synopsis? Due to a mix up with the servers of two different summer camps, Camp Royalty and Camp Pop, a pop star named Erika ends up going to Camp Royalty while princess Courtney ends up going to Camp Pop. They find they each like the change of scenery, but the leader of Camp Royalty plots to get Camp Pop shut down by challenging it to a singing competition.The plot is so completely predictable, but that could be forgiven. However, what I refuse to forgive is the blatant ripping off of Camp Rock. I mean come on, one camp is called "Camp Pop," and if you think that's just a coincidence, guess again. British camp leader who was an x-rock star? Camp Rock. (Seriously the Two characters have the exact same accent). Two competing summer camps on the same lake? Sounds like Camp Rock 2. Deciding which is the better camp through a singing competition at the end of camp? Again, that's Camp Rock 2. The two rival camp owners having a past together? Camp Rock 2. The really good female singer becoming a control freak because she wants to win the competition so badly? Camp Rock 2.And then there was the piano scene. Courtney sits at a keyboard and starts to play, turns her magic scepter into a microphone (Ripping off the magic microphone from Princess and the Pop star) and starts to sing about how she's had to hide herself all her life, but how maybe she wants to break free and be herself now. If you've ever seen Camp Rock, this should sound familiar. Because that exact same scene happened at the beginning of the first Camp Rock. The only difference in the Barbie version is that it happens later in the film and her friends immediately join in the song. (Also, the Camp Rock scene was missing the magic pink sparkly microphone). The song is even called "What if I Shine," and one of the lines in "This is Me" from Camp Rock is "Gonna let the light shine on me." These scenes are just too similar. If this sequence isn't a blatant rip-off I don't know what is.This is a lazy, lackluster, and obvious rip off. Not only are these movies ripping off cheesy old Disney Channel movies, but they're rehashing their own plot points. There was the previously mentioned magic microphone incident for starters. Then there's the fact that Camp Royalty is exactly like Princess Charm school. Both are royal academies that teach royal children how to be "proper" without actually teaching them how to run a country one day. The only difference is that Camp Royalty admits boys. Then there's the fact that this is the THIRD Barbie movie to take inspiration from the prince and the pauper. Clearly, these films are either running out of ideas or realizing that they don't need to put a shred of effort into these films. And then the cherry on top is the animation. Did Barbie seem off to anyone else? I can't tell if her eyes are too big, her face is too small, her forehead is off… but something about her face was straight out of the uncanny valley. When you can't even animate your titular character correctly, you know you've royally messed up.Long story short? Unless you want to see a bland, predictable, lazy, cheap, thoughtless, soulless rip off of Camp Rock, don't watch this film. Instead, go watch Camp Rock. It may be cheesy, but at least it had heart.

Animation was superb and the story was more original than the older Barbie movies, but it needs to create a little more emotional attachment to the main characters so that I can feel a bit more for the characters, more sadness more happiness more everything. All in all, a great movie to watch with your children.

I have to say, I'm disappointed. To be fair, when the Barbie movies first started coming out (2nd generation onward, I mean), I was already way older than the target audience LOL So yes, watching them now is really just for kicks and giggles. That being said, the quality of these movies has gone so far downhill it's rather cringe-worthy. The fact that this is the third movie to riff off the Princess and the Pauper storyline suggests that Mattel isn't even TRYING any more; they know as long as they slap 'Barbie' on it, it's going to sell. Something that was further reinforced when I noticed that the flautist in the movie is holding her flute wrong EVERY TIME SHE'S ON SCREEN. And yet, NO ONE CAUGHT THIS!! So yeah, maybe a decent movie by target-audience standards, but a sad effort by Mattel overall.

When I saw the other review, I KNEW I had to write one as well. I rated this movie a 9/10 because, while its not the best movie in the world- its EXACTLY what I want to see in a Barbie movie aimed at young girls. I watched this movie with my 4 year old daughter. I often suffer thru Barbie movies for her, because SHE loves them and I love her. I have been pleasantly surprised by the improving quality of these movies. the previous movie, Secret door was fun and the music was really catchy. Rock 'n' Royalty movie was even better, IMHO. It has GREAT music (I have even learned 'What if I Shine' on the piano to play for my daughter) The plot line is fantastic! There is no cliché villain who is just evil for evil's sake - EVERY character has an understandable motivation and their actions cause real conflict. The main characters act in a way that is commendable - I LOVE that there is a moment when they (Erica and Courtney) have the opportunity to choose an easy path, but they CHOOSE to stick with the course they are on and tough it out! Great message for young girls. Super fun and a great movie for young girls! I highly recommend it.