"Barbie Fairytopia: Mariposa" DVD

Barbie Fairytopia: Mariposa is an animated film about a butterfly fairy named Mariposa and her friends on a quest to find an antidote that will save their poisoned Queen. Without the Queen alive, the butterfly fairies’ homeland of Flutterfield will no longer be protected by the Queen’s magical flower lights that shield them from hideous, hungry “skeezite” creatures.

Mariposa is given a map by Prince Carlos to find the antidote. She travels beyond the safe borders of the city and encounters many skeezites on the way, but manages to stay alive. As the journey continues, she realizes that one of her own kind, a butterfly fairy named Henna, had poisoned the Queen in hopes of taking over Flutterfield. Fortunately, Mariposa finds the antidote and awakens the Queen who helps restore the safety lights.

Going in to this film, I tried not to have any preconceptions. The film had a fantasy storyline, but had the same tried and true elements reminiscent of Cinderella. A story about a girl who doesn’t feel like she fits in, but does something worthy to show others she is special. Mariposa in the beginning is self-conscious and is treated like a slave by two materialistic twins, who happen to be her bosses. It’s not until she goes on her journey, that the two sisters realize Mariposa isn’t half bad. And of course, the prince is enamored by her down-to-earth qualities.

The film will most likely attract a young, female audience, but adults can enjoy the film with their children. There are little nuances of humor that an older crowd would detect more, but nothing vulgar. If you do see this film, brace your eyes for a smattering of bright pinks and purples. It’s a little overwhelming.

In result, I enjoyed the film for what it’s worth. Also, with the incline of a Hispanic population, the film embraces a Spanish-speaking audience with a title like Mariposa, which means butterfly in Spanish. And it doesn’t stop there. The Queen and Prince Carlos have accents and the two twin sisters utter a few Spanish words in the movie. So not only is the movie about morals, it’s also about culture.

Barbie Fairytopia: Mariposa is scheduled to be released on DVD on February 26, 2008.