Barbie – An Existential Dreamworld

You’d wouldn’t think a Barbie movie would be the biggest film of the summer. You’d be wrong.

My wife and I bought the last two tickets for our showtime. We had to sit on the far right end of the massive theater, craning our necks to the left to have any hope of seeing the screen. The theater was packed, a completely sold out show. People were laughing and having the times of their lives, from ages 7 to 77. This is a movie for everyone, whether you’re a Barbie, a Ken, or even an Allan.

Barbie tells the story of Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, as she has an existential crisis and decides she must leave Barbieland and travel to the real world in order to be happy and fix her life. She is joined by Ken, actor Ryan Gosling’s magnum opus. Once in the real world, they both face some new realities as their worlds and their roles in them are flipped.

Barbie is a movie with a lot to say. Director Greta Gerwig clearly knew what she was doing when she adapted the Barbie universe to the big screen. It’s not the first time Barbie has been adapted into movie form, but it is the first time it has been done in live action.

One focus point of the film is stereotypical gender roles. In Barbieland, women are President, astronauts, doctors, physicists, construction workers, and judges – while the men (Ken) have jobs like “Beach”. However, when Barbie and Ken travel to the real world… Barbie is shocked to learn the gender roles are flipped.

Ken learns what it is like to be a man in the real world. He feels “respected” for doing the bare minimum, while Barbie does not get the decency of respect. Instead, she is sexualized, devalued, and made less. The film makes a strong commentary on society.

The message of this film is important for people of all ages to hear, and although there are some heavy themes involved, this is a great opportunity for all to migrate to the theater. Barbieland and the real world are different in every way but one: it’s important to ALWAYS have roller skates at the ready (that’s not the main takeaway, but it is a takeaway).

I would definitely recommend this movie, especially if you like fun. Seeing it in theaters is a must for the full Barbie experience. Everyone wears their best bright colored outfits, brings their best two (to twelve) friends, and has a blast munching on theater snacks and vibing with the immaculately fun film. It’s a great time out. I’d give it 8 out of 10 Barbie dolls.

Come back next Monday, when I give my review on Nolan’s Oppenheimer.