Let’s start this one off by saying I was one of the many who ran to the AMC in my pinkest dress to see Barbie and I was not let down by the Ken-ergy in that theater. This was yet another hit by phenomenal director Greta Gerwig, and though it was not without fault, the movie carried its unique message through until the end.
Barbie was a movie about our beloved childhood toy venturing from picture-perfect Barbieland and into the real world after experiencing a crack in the facade of her perfect life. She meets the Mattel CEO, finds the woman who was playing with her, and explores what it is like to be a woman in the real world rather than in Barbieland. Meanwhile, a scorned Ken takes over Barbieland forcing Barbie and her new real-world friends to try and return their society back to normal.
My favorite part of this movie is how Gerwig used the vessel of smart comedy to convey the powerful feminist message. Using the Kens as comedic relief was a welcome addition to the story and balanced out the more emotional and impactful moments of what it means to be a woman, a daughter, a mother, and a friend. There are plenty of silly and light moments that really sum up how I felt playing with my Barbie dolls growing up (which I still have stashed in my closet).
I think the visuals and the aesthetics of the movie were absolutely breathtaking. The costuming and cinematography convinced me to see it in the theater twice just to be in awe of the color, motion, and true fun that the Barbie movie provided during the watching experience. And hello Margot Robbie! America’s newest It Girl absolutely killed her part with supporting actor Ryan Gosling bringing his best game as well. This movie was a blast to watch in theaters.
There were some parts of the film that I was not the biggest fan of. For example, the character of Mattel’s CEO, played by Will Ferral, fell flat. He plays an oblivious businessman who loves being the leader of the company and “representing women” though it is clear the audience should be laughing at his ignorant attitude. I found him to be unnecessary and his purpose was unclear. He never learns a lesson and seems to lift right out of the plot. There were some characters and scenes that felt out of place or a bit tacky, but overall I am still a huge fan of Barbie. Overall, I absolutely recommend Barbie. If you haven’t seen it, run! It is a phenomenal film that is worth the movie ticket.
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