Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus

If you want animation that is not just for kids, Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus is available in Australia on Amazon Prime Video and Stan, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video right now. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. A harder one to justify skipping than to start. Start it on Amazon Prime Video whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus is worth clearing space for. Visually distinctive and narratively ambitious, Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus operates well above the genre average. Princess Annika escapes the clutches of the evil wizard, explores the wonders of Cloud Kingdom, and teams up with a magnificent winged horse - who turns out to be her sister, Princess Brietta - to defeat the wizard and break the spells that imprisoned her family. Kelly Sheridan and Kathleen Barr lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2005. The visual gags in Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus reward close attention without ever depending on it. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Genuinely enjoyable for a wide range of viewers, Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus treats animation as a delivery mechanism, not a limitation. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. The writing operates at a level the format's reputation does not fully prepare you for. Adult animation that actually works for adults.