The Barbie Movie...
It’s fun, it’s VERY pink, it’s heartwarming…it was a 2023 cinematic hit!

When you think of a doll, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Is it a tall, blonde, plastic doll with impeccable pink fashion named ‘Barbie?’ If you do, you’re among the 99 percent of people who know of Barbie. The Barbie doll was created in 1959 by Ruth Handler; and she now has her very own movie which is actually called Barbie. It was a total hit this past summer, raking in over 500 million dollars in domestic box offices. But the real question is this: was the movie any good?

PLOT

Before discussing my opinions, we need to establish the movie's plot. Barbie, which stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as her (sort of) boyfriend Ken, is about a stereotypical Barbie who lives in Barbie Land. In Barbie Land, women rule the world, and every day is perfect– until Barbie starts having strange things happen to her. Her shower is cold; her feet become flat; she even begins having thoughts about death. 

Her friends tell her that there must be someone in the real world who has been playing with her too hard, and to remedy these unusual occurrences, she must go to the real world and find whoever has been playing with her on the ‘other side’ outside of Barbie Land. 

As she rides into the ‘Real World’ in her bright pink convertible, she finds Ken tagging along with her in the backseat. She and Ken proceed to the Real World, and their adventure begins.

OPINION

While many people loved everything about Barbie, I had mixed opinions. For the most part, I enjoyed it, but there were aspects I wasn’t fond of. On the one hand, I liked the metaphors and comparisons this movie used to demonstrate how the patriarchy works and how it harms women. 

I was especially intrigued by the “turn of the tables” in Barbie Land, where the women run just about everything. But on the other hand, the concept felt dated and overused. The discussion of women versus men has been brought up for centuries, and this movie didn’t add anything new to the conversation. 

However, the methods of conveying the message were lightweight and fun, with lively tidbits starring comedic actors such as Will Ferrell and Kate McKinnon. The movie was also dotted with several heartfelt, tear-jerking scenes, and I found myself crying at least three times while watching. 

And, perhaps, the best part were the set designs and costumes! The colors and plastic-like feel of Barbie Land are beautifully fitting, and the costumes were an absolute work of art. 

While some are Barbie’s ‘tried and true’ signature pieces, like her striped swimsuit based off the original doll, I loved the additional wardrobe pieces the costume designer decided to add for Barbie’s character, like Barbie’s cowgirl outfit, which she dons when she enters the Real World. The outfit is bright pink and shiny, and it can be seen as a metaphor for her expectations for the real world. But in the actual scene, her vibrant pinks are at great contrast with the dull colors of the real world. 

So, while the metaphors and message felt worn out, the movie was still delightful despite that– Barbie is definitely a must-watch!

By Natalie Korczak

Barbie was directed by Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the script with Noah Baumbach. The movie was distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, along with Heyday Films, LuckyChap Entertainment, NBGG Pictures, and Mattel Films (Mattel).

Images: Courtesy of the office Barbie Facebook Page/Warner Bros. Pictures