After its release July 21, people of all ages and genders raved over the new “Barbie” movie. The Warner Bros’ production has grossed beyond $1.2 billion as of August 19. However, with substantial statistics also comes considerable controversy. Because of the animated touch in the movie’s promotion, the audience expected the movie to contain a nostalgic and joyful vibe. Unfortunately, the movie ended up taking a different approach due to its melancholy tone.
On the other hand, people believe the movie changed their perspectives on life’s purpose. While the movie’s meaning produced a consequential atmosphere, it did not appear appropriate for a Barbie movie. Critics believe the movie inspired them to find their purposes in life and view themselves as powerful human beings.
“I thought the movie was really good. I liked the way Greta Gerwig directed the movie. It was surprising because I saw a lot of reactions on social media and people were anticipating it. I thought the message the movie gave was very important. There was a lot of women empowerment and I feel like people should watch it because they can be misogynist without even knowing it. I would rate the movie a 5. It was really good. The only thing I would say is I wish there was a jaw-dropping plot twist,” magnet junior Zorian Lang said.
Since the 1900s, Mattel’s pink and plastic Barbie doll toy has remained a staple in children’s homes; so when critics heard about the movie, they could not contain their excitement. Brands such as Puma, Swoon and Gap released collections to celebrate the movie’s arrival. Popular artists Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj released a song “Barbie World” to hype up Barbie fans as they awaited the movie’s release.
The movie starts out in the expected pink and bubbly Barbie setting. This amusing and lighthearted setting presented a less serious tone. Margot Robbie, who played Barbie, portrays a stereotypical Barbie who lived in a perfect world, but as she loses her “ideal” characteristics, she advances into the real world to find herself. When Barbie returns from the real world, Ken, portrayed by Ryan Gosling, turns Barbie World into a male-dominated sphere. After Barbie and her friends gain their societal power back, Barbie finds herself meeting with Ruth Handler —the founder of Barbie, played by Rhea Perlman— to figure out her purpose. As this warmhearted scene unfolds, Billie Eilish’s song “What Was I Made For” plays to emphasize the movie’s theme.
Emotions appear at an all-time high toward the ending. Just as Barbie feels her world crashing, Handler magically appears as a personal guide in a world of lies and uncertainties. Handler reveals the shortcomings of Barbie while also revealing she named Barbie after her daughter, Barbara. After telling Barbie her worth, she hones on the movie’s main theme: accepting everything about oneself.
As mind-altering and heartfelt as the movie might appear, the sentimental aspects rob children and Barbie enthusiasts of the sweet and easy-going character they know. When people think of the word “Barbie” they may imagine a young child with a smile on his/her face living in his/her imagination without any worries. This movie, however, brought up concepts that kids do not typically think about. Although the producers made the movie PG-13, the plot still remains too complex for certain teenagers. Barbie possesses a lively and contented connotation, not a melancholy and tangled one.
“I can’t imagine seeing it a second time, because everything is right there on the surface, except for the Mattel Easter eggs, I guess, easy to grasp and easy enough to enjoy. And that’s it. Yes, Ryan Gosling’s Ken has many throwaway pouts to savor, but beyond that, there isn’t much to get,” member of the National Society of Film Critics Robert Horton said.
The 2023 Barbie movie, unfortunately, neglects to address any notion of faith and tries to normalize the idea that men and women cannot collaborate positively. Throughout the movie, the Kens attempt to take over Barbie World while the Barbies try to gain their independence. After the Kens take over the world, the Barbies become brainwashed to obey the Kens. This back and forth paints a picture that all women act gullible and that all men act ignorant.
As inspirational as the story appears, the tone does not mirror what Barbie typically stands for. The movie confuses the younger audience by stereotyping both men and women. Unfortunately, the movie still remains the number-one movie in 2023.
