Barbie and the Three Musketeers

Preposterous, but my kids loved it
Mattel's latest gender-reversed classic in the "Barbie" animated series begins on a farm in Gascony where Corinne, daughter of the famous D'Artagnan, is practicing her swordfighting moves. (Her idea of swordfighting seems to owe more to the "Zorro" films than anything you would actually expect to find in 17th century France, but never mind.)

Corinne's life's ambition is to follow in her father's footsteps by becoming a royal musketeer. When she turns 17 she goes to Paris to enlist, carrying as D'Artagnan had before her, a letter of introduction to Monsieur de Treville, who is still Captain of the King's musketeers. (With the silver hair which is the only sign of age in this kind of film.)

Unfortunately for Corinne, the 17th century French authorities are not ready for the idea of a lady musketeer (probably this reluctance is the most plausible part of the film.) So instead she has to accept a job as a maid at the palace.

Just as D'Artagnan fell foul of...

Let the Adventure Begin! -- a review of "Barbie and the 3 Musketeers"
In this re-write of Dumas' "The Three Musketeers", Barbie is a country lass named Corinne. Like her deceased father, who just happens to have been D'Artagnan, it is her dream to serve and protect the royal family. But unlike her father she faces even more difficulties in getting to prove herself worthy of the Musketeer title because she is a girl.

This then is the pivotal point of the plot, that girls can do whatever they want if they are willing to train for it and not let others squash there dreams. And, in fact, this theme is extended to include everyone, even the Prince of France, who feels like he will have to give up his scientific interests once he becomes king.

Corrine is joined in this adventure by 3 other girls, who also happen to want to be Musketeers. They are all athletic and bright, differing though in their interests. One quotes poetry, one plays the violin, and so forth. But because they are girls they end up working as housekeepers in the...

Girl Power!
I was nervous to buy this without having viewed it. I bought Thumbelina without seeing it, and after watching it with my girls I quickly gave it to a friend who wanted it. I monitor whtt my girls watch, ages 5 and 3 very closely. I am always on the lookout for snotty attitudes in movies that they could pick up (if you are a mom of girls you probably agree they don't need any additional assistance!) Anyways, that is why I gave Thumbelina away.

I enjoyed this movie for the most part. I think its neat to see the heroines in this movie work some serious moves. My daughters and their friends were cheering throughout the movie. Afterwards, the immediately set to pretending to be musketeers, and my 5 year old was asking me to buy her a real sword.

There are a couple parts in the movie however that I would have done without. Corinne had a few attitudes I would have done without when she felt she was being wronged. The traditional "hmph!" (pictured your 5 year old arms...

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