Beyond the Plastic Perfection: Unboxing the Barbie Movie
A vast ocean of bright, pink promotional material led me to the cinema this weekend to experience the much-anticipated Barbie movie. But, let's cut to the chase: I walked away from the theater with a somewhat mixed bag of feelings.
First off, a piece of advice for the enthusiastic marketers out there: hold back a bit on the promotional content! Because there were so many clips online, I felt like I had already consumed a sizeable chunk of the film through the myriad of trailers and teasers. It took some of the mystery out of the experience, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was just watching the extended cut of an already familiar story.
Margot Robbie as stereotypical Barbie delivers a good performance, encapsulating the essence of the iconic Barbie with perfect campy grace. She not only looked like the doll, she dressed exactly like her with her iconic wardrobe. Robbie's Barbie is not just a character, but a fashion statement, pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling in cinema.
And let's not forget Barbie Land! A surrealistic interpretation of Barbie's universe, the set brings out the nostalgia for millennials like me and a sense of wonder for kids now who aren’t as familiar with Mattel’s doll. With its lavish design, splashed in various shades of bubblegum pink, it serves as an idyllic and whimsical backdrop for our heroine's journey. Barbie Land is a visual feast for the eyes, a saccharine wonderland that encapsulates the dreamy aesthetic of Barbie's world to a T.
~ Light spoilers ahead
Ryan Gosling, ladies and gentlemen, is a delight! As the slightly villainous Ken, he brings lightness to a movie that often feels heavy with its messages. His scenes set in Ken Land were silly and audacious and brilliant! He looked like he was having so much fun. His performance is the kind of unexpected surprise that makes a trip to the movies worthwhile.
Beyond the pretty, though, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie took the time to flesh out the very real problems that women struggle with everyday. I appreciate that. The movie tackles feminism head-on, but while its intentions are noble, the execution feels rather forceful. The messaging often came across as preachy rather than an organic part of the narrative, making it somewhat difficult to enjoy. As a person well-versed in these issues, I found myself distracted by the overly explicit feminist rhetoric. I had to remind myself that, for some viewers, these themes might be revolutionary and worth hearing, even if they're delivered with a heavy hand.
Now, I was all geared up for America Ferrera's much-hyped monologue. Unfortunately, it felt like a rehash of a viral TikTok rant from a few years ago. Don't get me wrong, it was powerful, but it lacked originality, a factor that, in my opinion, could have made it even more impactful. But then what’s original these days?
The film's crowning moment, however, is a beautiful and poignant scene with Barbie and the ghost of Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie. This sequence has in it the seeds of life-affirming wisdom, offering a welcome reminder that being alive is beautiful in itself, and we are enough just as we are. In a film so eager to make big statements, this more nuanced moment resonated the most with me.
So, what's my final verdict? Despite its shortcomings, the Barbie movie is still a worthy watch, thanks to its memorable moments and engaging performances. It has its heart in the right place and serves as a step forward in introducing complex societal issues to a younger audience. It's not perfect, but maybe it's enough.
And isn't that the very message that Barbie herself was trying to get across?
Over to you, what were your thoughts on the film?
