You were kind of overthinking Erica's debt situation. Her parents borrowed money from the dress lady so they could feed their daughter, but they passed away before they could pay her back. So the debt now falls on their daughter.
@@gurglequeen433 Isn't that a real thing with people who "pay" for the smuggling into the US by working off their debt, which will never happen because of the extortionate "interest". Good thing ID cards weren't a thing back then, or she too had hers taken away so she can't go to the authorities or flee. And I'm pretty sure, that's not supposed to be medieval times but rather late 18th or early 19th century, a là Bridgerton. In the "Dark Ages" not a single non-royal or lady of the court would have been able to afford such a nice dress.. Not even with an employee discount. 😂
“Now I fear I’ll never be…” “Soon I will forever be…” And there’s the difference. Erika’s situation is much worse, but she at least has the comfort of knowing one day she’ll pay off her debt and be free. Annelise is going to have to deal with the responsibilities and pressure for the rest of her life.
@arunitaa that movie is so much worse though? It's about two rich privileged girls wanting to be a different kind of rich. Not saying it's a bad movie, but the moral is completely absent. They have nothing to learn from each other.
The point of free is to recognize the difference between the two but also say you can feel trapped and unhappy no matter who you are or where you live. That's the point of the movie.
True, and by the end of it both of them even take accountability to do each of their responsibilities and just imagine being free from it all in their dreams
I think what Mathew's missing is that they don't want to switch lives, no one's saying Anneliese wants to be a pauper in debt, they both just want to be free. While Erika is forced to work for the life she wants, Anneliese is forced to work for a life she doesn't want. Yes, Erika's situation is worse than Anneliese', but both are unhappy and want to be free from the responsibilities placed upon them.
You nailed it, honestly. I wanted to add that Anneliese's life is also extremely superficial. She is wealthy, in the sense she has a large home, food, servants, etc. But not only is that money not hers, it is also completely unimportant to her. A good parallel to her character is Jasmine from Aladdin. Both princesses could easily go out into the city and basically do what they want and get what they want for free since the people respect and love them, but both want to be seen as normal individuals for something more than their wealth. Also 7:12 imagine getting a ton of engagement gifts to that degree of things you didn't want or care about. When I was young, a lot of family got me floral perfume as a gift when I HATED floral perfume. And it just sits there. I would've wanted a book too😂
I’m gonna add that both Erica and Annalise are eager to get away from people who are controlling them, manipulating them, and dictating their lives. That’s the whole point of the song! Preminger was twisted for sure, but he was not the only character treating people like chess pieces. I also think Annalise was mainly wishing for people to stop getting in her face constantly, which I can honestly understand.
Another thing I'd love to add to the fact that Annalise isn't saying she wants to be a pauper, is that it was not even a little bit her choice to "switch places." Annalise never tries to be Erica (although she does get mistaken for her). Annalise is responsible for trying to bring her mother's kingdom out of bankruptcy which is why she has to marry King Dominic (or someone wealthy). Which is also why what happens to her happens. She also wanted to get Erica out of her horrible situation, but her plan to help kind of gets tossed out of the window (again, because of what happens to her which isn't her choice). A lot of her journey is a very read closer situation, which makes sense, because the entire story would seem much more intense if it weren't written to be child friendly and lighthearted.
It’s definitely easier being a princess, but the main point of the princess is that she is being forced in to a marriage, and it’s the peasant who actually brings up the fact that they are similar. And they’re both actually good people which is nice.
I think people forget that princesses are born into government. Being royalty is being a politician. It's not just bows and dresses, it's also work. Back in the day most peasants couldn't even read because they didn't need to most of the time, but nobility did. They had to learn history, and politics, and trade, they had constant meetings, travel for business etc. Especially back before our modern monarchies where there are multiple ministries that run the government more than the Royal family? Being royalty then was literally being born a politician and the only way to not be that is to detach yourself from your entire family and exile yourself, that sounds awful.
@@LangkeeLongkee And Annelise is an only child. The only option for the throne after her mom. She can never be free unless she's willing to be responsible for the chaos and probably war that would happen if the royal line ends. She will face the struggles she's facing now (and also other, bigger ones once her mom is gone) for the rest of her life. Ericas life is shit now, but at least she has the hope of paying off the debt and then being free.
i'm glad the comments here understood that being royalty, being Anneliese didn't just mean dilly dallying around and wearing dresses all day. it was a big responsibility and they had a whole kingdom on their shoulders. she was just a nerd for science and just wanted to have the freedom to marry who she wanted. all gifts she got had strings and she was set to marry someone she didn't even love. both of them, erika and anneliese didn't have the freedom they wanted, tho it may look and sound ridiculous to most, comparing a princess to a peasant.
You know, I just realized that the German dub of the Princess and the Pauper does take Anneliese's duty a step higher. In Free she sings "without learning lords and smiling when I'd rather want to cry" and in To be a Princess Julian sings "always nod and smile even if your heart is full of sadness - who cares" which was always so impactful for me. I totally get the uneven playing field of the the two but it was always Erika who came up with saying they are the same and I can see where she is coming from. She's just empathatic. And I love that for her.
I don't appreciate the German dub enough. It is so good, the songs are oftentimes translated with an even deeper meaning than the original and the singers are awesome as well. Doesn't get enough credit imo
and tbh, this comment explains why im more defensive of this movie than i probably should be oof i remember it as a story of: this person has physical freedom but no emotional freedom and this person has no physical freedom but emotional freedom. princess can spend her time however she wants, but has no way out and has to perform all her life. while pauper is extremely limited in her activities and no way to escape it, but doesnt have to hide her personality and interests. except when they do. and its still clear that there is a huge difference between them, or else there would have been no issues with switching places and no conflict. (and tbh i think the point of the movie is more to have rich kids take a look at the lives of poor ppl and trying to make them have compassion in a way children find easier to get invested in. dont think it worked but thats another thing)
I feel like a lot of people forget that it was Erika who says that they’re the same initially, and that Anneliese was confused at how they were the same: “I’m just like you!” “You are?”
Later on in the movie, the Princess (Annalise) and the Pauper (Erica) switch places. Annalise realizes how shitty Erica's situation really is, appreciates her privelages more, becomes more involved in the kingdom because she wants to, and realizes that the only thing holding her back is herself; and Erica realises that the princess life was not for her, despite the luxuries. She even rejects the King Dominic's proposal (whom she fell in love with) to go out and pursue her dream of being a singer, which she could never do as a royal. She eventually comes back, after her dreams were achieved and finds that King Dominic had waited for her.
"You would think that im so lucky, that i have so many things. Im realizing that every present comes with strings" is my all time FAVORITE line in a barbie movie. Its Annalise, the princess, realizing that, though she was given a lot, it comes with the expectation of something in return. No one does anything out of kindness for her, its always to gain something (as is with politics)
@@bloomhug the german version is extremly diferent. That lines translated from the german version to english are: I get gifts every day, need a whole big room for them, but no one here realises what a high price I pay for them.
@@chase_j8750 And much better. Anneliese is much more sophisticated when it comes to her suffering under the pressure of the court. And Erika is also much stronger in the German version, especially when it comes to her willpower. And I had a look at the other songs, they seem extremely limp and weak to me compared to the German lyrics. Preminger look like a stupid-head in the english version, an idiot who want be rich. In the german version he sound like the pure evil person, he is sing about let Annelise never outside of the house, when the wedding is done. No joke his song have no word about the cool stuff he would wearing, I never hear him sing about fur in my childhood
@@rowenaloh6653 in the english version it's sound so. He sound like an idiot want to be rich. Just like the bully who is not kind but also not realy evil
Wig guy wants the princess to marry him so he can be king. Princess wants to marry her tutor because she loves him. Queen wants Princess to marry King to save the kingdom. Pauper falls in love with king while pretending to be princess.
The two girls live together in a cottage, singing and growing flowers, and at one point in the movie they ride away from the "love interests" on a forking rainbow!!!
I mean in Annelise's defense she did not want to switch roles lmao she is fully aware they are in different spots and she knows what her duty is, it's pretty important to the movie that she knows that choosing being unhappy will result in better lives of her people and so she chooses that, she wanted to help Erika become a famous singer, the plot just happened and she went missing so Erika had to step in
I think of Princess and the Pauper the same way that I think of Bridgerton- while they are clearly privileged, they are still in a society that expects them to take on certain roles and responsibilities that limits them. Whether you look at it through the lense of princesses in a Barbie movie or as just women in society in general, I feel like it’s talking about how nobody is completely free of those things ya know?
'Here I Am' is a banger from Princess and Popstar. Fun fact it's music video is the most viewed barbie video with over 300 million views! Even though most of the Barbie fans are not a huge fan of this movie they all can agree that Here I Am is an absolute bop!
So the thing I've always found interesting about the Princess and the Pauper is that, yes there is a disparity in their lifestyles, both girls are reaching the same place in their lives: their material needs are met (as in they are not stressed about food, clothing and sheter) and they are seeking self-actualization which they are both societally blocked from albiet from different avenues. That's what they mean in "Just like You" -- their lives aren't identical, but their mental states and life goals are matched because they are both looking for their own version of fulfillment.
the conflicts in Barbie movie are actually very complex in a lot of the movies and really makes you think, for example in Barbie Fairytopia, Barie is the only fairy born without wings and she all she all she wants is to have wings of her own because all her friends have wings and some of the other Fairys dose make fun of her for not having wings, one day there is a sickness that is caused by an outside sores that effects all flying creatures, making them sick and unable to fly. So Barbie not being able to fly, knowing how to move around / life without wings might be Fairytopia's best chance to stop this thing that is making fairy's not able to fly. I recommend watching a barbie movie I think you would be pleasantly surprised.
I don't know what I love more. Matthew shipping the Diamond Castle lesbians, or the amount of comments writing essays on the themes and lessons on Princess and the Pauper
mathew please you need to react to the full Diamond Castle movie, the plot context makes the songs even more romantic. the gay subtext is sooo loud lol
I think the main difference in my head of Annlise and Erica is that Erica will be able to get out and find her own way in life eventually. The princess will ALWAYS be royal. She has no chance to have a different life.
Two petitions: 1) more Felicity. I have no idea who she is but I love her she’s delightful ❤ 2) Mathew releases a Super Country Version™ of the cup song
7:50 Well I mean considering she's a princess marrying a king, it's very likely she'll be owned by him too. And I dunno I think I'd rather stay in this life of mine with at least a million in debt instead of being forced to sleep with someone I don't even like and expected to bear his children until I pop out at least one son while still having to keep up this graceful and elegant facade and deal with all this political stuff bc royals at the time have way more responsibilities and direct control over their nations than royals in this day and age... all while not being able to indulge in my hobbies and interests to cope with all of that no less.
Island Princess is one of my favorites btw, a song moment near the end makes my parents cry every time. You gotta watch "I Need to Know" and "In My Arms" (the reprise/duet version)
In The Dimond Castle the girls house is burnt down by a dragon shortly after the song "Connected" so they have no where to go btw so when they sing about not being able to go back that's why. Also, yes, there is a diamond castle in the story but they hadn't seen it so its only in their mind for now.
Yes, privilege does exist, and they do touch on it in ways. I think the balance cones from the Pauper "Ericka" situation is more severe in intensity( less money/comforts more labour, but hope to pay off debt and be free), the Princess' is more severe in duration( more money & comfort, less physical labour but no foreseeable end; in addition those conforts feel less like luxury and more like payment; i.e. her engagement gifts aren't just for funsies they are bride price). I don't think the movie was trying to say that a princess doesn't have a lot of privilege, just that in a position of privilege, prejudice, and suffering can still exist.
I would choose being a princess - but I've never been a princess, so I don't know what she would choose. Edit: and, actually, as the song points out - Erika/the pauper has a chance of gaining her freedom, or at least hope for it, while Annelise/the princess doesn't, and is very aware of it. It's why people have affairs!
YES THIS!! With Anneslise’s (I did not spell that right at all wth 😨) lines “now I fear I’ll never be” and “I’ll be forever royal” and Erika’s(?) lines “soon I will forever be” and “I’ll pay my parents debt” Or I could be wrong 😅
the princess doesn't want to be a slave, she just doesn't like to be a princess because it comes with rules and strict lifestyle. she wants to do what she wants in her life, free of this type of responsibility. she didn't wanna marry someone who is assigned to her. the songs in the diamond castle is my favourite especially the harmonies princess and the popstar: the princess has a haribrush that changes hair style and colour. the popstar has a mic that changes clothes.
@@MathewMcKenna like these Here I am and I wish I had her life from princess and the popstar believe from barbie in the diamond castle all for one from barbie and the three musketeers get your sparkle on and life is a fairytale from barbie fashion fairytale can you keep a secret from Barbie: a fairy secret summer sunshine and do the mermaid from Barbie in a mermaid tale 1and 2 you're the one from barbie and her sister's in a pony tale
I think it's worth noting that when Erika looks towards the future in Free she sees her eventual freedom, whereas Annalise has accepted that her dreams will only ever be dreams. Erika's situation is objectively worse, but she also has the benefit of hope.
First off want to say I love your videos and seeing how happy Barbie make you. Little explanation with the princess and the pauper is Anneliese (the princess) is being married off for money and yeah the guy happens to be nice cause it’s a Barbie movie but it very easily could be some old abnsive guy, like she has to marry him either way and has no choice in the matter. So yes I would rather be in a castle with nice things then being forced to make dresses all day unless it’s some terrible man who hurts me then I chose the dresses, which I think is the point they are trying to make.
I think matthew should watch princess and the pauper the whole way through once he gets through all the songs lol Also, someone whould tell him theres like 4 princess/pauper based barbie movies lmao
Mathew I personally would rather choose to be an upperclass peasant than a princess in the castle. As a princess you can't choose anything. As well as during that time you were forced to marry middle aged men from the age of 14 on average. As well as you don't have opinions of your own. You are a bird in a cage. Unlike being a slave you are not beaten or forced to work.
16:55 this song had such a weirdly important role in my childhood and there are videos of me singing these songs as both characters. I love this video so much, thanks for the nostalgia❤
Hii I have been watching u for years now and I truly can’t tell u how much ur videos just make my day better ☺️ thank u so much and I can’t wait to watch this new barbie video! one of my fav series of urs lmao
I still think Mat should listen to Barbie songs in other languages! With subtitles, if possible. In i.e. the German version of The Princess and the Pauper, Erika's voice is wayy different - and I really like it! The lyrics also place importance on different aspects of the songs, of course. Edit to mention one song that makes me BAWL in German even more than in English: "Hier in deinem Arm" (Right here in my arms) from Barbie as the Island Princess. I think German dubs really nail the quivering voice and hesitation during emotional moments
I don't think you've already reacted to this, so do you think you could react to "On Top Of The World?" From Barbie: Princess Charm School? It's a really upbeat and inspirational song, and I think you'd like it a lot!
Thank you for the awesome video!!! I had fun watching it ! ❤❤I’d love to see more Island Princess song reactions if you’re wondering what other Barbie songs to do 😊
My Barbie Song Recommendations: - Live in the moment - Light up the world - Playground of our dreams - See you at the finish line - Work it - Before Us - Shine - Find You Power
Barbie and the Diamond Castle has and will always be my favorite Barbie movie to exist. The girls were such a comfort to me as a little kid, I had the movie on 24/7. Had the dress up dresses for them, some shoes, a mirror, and the singing/twirling Barbies of them. I used to try to imitate their speaking voice in the mirror too, specifically the scene where they found the stones and also make sandwiches. I had a crystal heart necklace I’d reenact the scene with too. I was full blown obsessed. I’ll still watch it from time to time in my early 20’s with zero complaint, and sing every word. However, Lydia and Slyder scared the CRAP out of me as a child.
okay as someone who loved the origonal Princess and the Pauper the redo they did of "To be a princess" in princess and the Popstar was not my favorite because they stripped what the song was trying to portray "Aka the love interest part between the tutor and the princess" as well as the whole point to the song.. yes its faster and upbeat but still my personal favorite will always be the origional! Otherwise I do love the songs that come with the Princess and a popstar Barbie movie!
kind of feel like the whole point of the girl like you song is that they ARE different on the surface, hence the princess replying "you are?" when the pauper says she's just like her, but their "souls" are the same, they both long to be somewhere else and be someone else and they find comfort in someone who knows how that feels
My Barbie og fan heart is so happy seeing this🥰🥺my mental health is recovering already....well it's a temporary fix in mood but I'll take it since it's you Matthew!
Princess and the pauper was literally my favorite 😍 I had the singing doll. I would perform How Can I Refuse dramatically even well into my adulthood 😂. My mom watched laughing and would belt out the end of the song with me 😭 R.I.P mom ❤
God. I remember when i was a kid and i watched this with my older sister. Both of us still put Diamond Palace on 1st place. Personally i love Princess Academia aswell. Fantastic memories. Thank you mathew 😭😭
Obviously given the situation of the movie I think most would choose to be princess instead of a pauper with almost a lifes dept to pay. But... and it's a big but: Life is not black and white. And I would most probably choose to be a peasant if it means I get to marry whomever I like. I mean the guy Anneliese has to marry could abuse or rape her and she could never get away. That is a life I wouldn't wish on anyone even if they had money. Erica will eventually be free. Anneliese won't. However I think the point of the movie is not really that Annelieses situation is the same as Ericas. It's more about showing that you can feel unhappy or be emotionally trapped in every situation, even as a princess. Plus the movie doesn't even deny that the privilege exists. Anneliese actually starts to see her privilege during the movie so the overall message is actually pretty deep and good. It's easily the best Barbie movie ever made.
You have to do more. One of my favorites is Barbie Starlight Adventure. It has fabulous music as well as Barbie Rock N' Royals. Both are excellent movies with light-hearted and uplifting music.
2:20 you are right- and i think its very funny when people talk about how they are on the same level of wanting to be free, then they had another movie i think it was with a rockstar though, and they still did not change barbie and her friends meaning so it still sounds the same with princess and the pauper
@@19Rena96 i think its more so when they tell each other "im just like you" and its things like, "If I'd like to have my breakfast hot Madame Carp will make me pay And I have to fetch the eggs myself And the barn's a mile away. It's cold and wet But still I get an omelette on my plate But in my head I'm back in bed Snuggled up and sleeping late. Really? Really. But it's all right. I mean, I'm used to it. And you? Well... Well? If I want some eggs I ring the bell And the maid comes running in And she serves them on a silver tray And she brings a cookie tin. And while I eat, she rubs my feet And strolling minstrels play But I'd rather be in my library Reading science books all day. I'm just like you you are?" Like- "ugh i just want a day to myself-" "I want a day were I'm not a slave-" I get rich people can be unhappy, but they did not really word it right for both Princess and the ___ movies-
This was so fun! this was my childhood (all barbie movies that is) I really think you should watch the mermaid one! ( Barbie in a mermaid tale) OR ( Star Light Adventure) those were my all time fav!!! love you!
