I finally watched the Barbie movie. I sat down with my 8-year-old after having to do much convincing.
She’s not into Barbie anymore. She's more into Animé...
And this movie is not going to change the latter. The only time I saw her laugh throughout the movie was when Barbie gets called a fascist at school. I’m unsure if that says more about the Barbie product or me as a parent.
So, what did I think of the movie?
I had heard it had a profound DEI message and was worth watching just for that.
To be honest, I’m still on the fence.
In a nutshell, I think the movie portrays a feminist utopia and is a missed opportunity for promoting equality.
Whaaaaaaaat?
Yes, sorry Barbie movie lovers. But despite the funny self-jabs Mattel plagues the movie with, this movie delivers a lot of mixed messaging.
A little like the product itself.
Here are my highs and lows of this pink-filled adventure and some things that left me scratching my head throughout the credits (and the fantastic outro showing all the different Barbies throughout the last decades).
“Mojo Dojo Casa House” is a pivotal DEI moment
In the second act of the live-action Barbie movie, our beloved Barbie and Ken embark on an adventure in the real world, stepping beyond the confines of their plastic universe for the very first time. As the story unfolds, this iconic duo finds themselves on separate paths – Barbie's mission is to find the girl playing with her doll, while Ken, well, he does what Ken does best.
But here's where the plot takes an intriguing turn.
Ken, in his interactions with the world of humanity, learns some valuable lessons – ones that revolve around both the complexities of patriarchy and … well, yeah…horses.
It doesn't take long for Barbie's companion to arrive at a surprising conclusion: perhaps, just perhaps, Barbieland could benefit from a touch of patriarchy.
Now, before you raise an eyebrow, hear me out.
Upon his return to Barbieland, the once women-centric power dynamic undergoes a remarkable transformation. Men suddenly find themselves occupying positions of authority, and Barbie's iconic Dreamhouse morphs into the unforgettable Ken's Mojo Dojo Casa House.
Ryan Gosling's portrayal of Ken during this pivotal phase is nothing short of remarkable. He brings depth and authenticity to the character, as Ken grapples with these newfound realizations and his role in shaping Barbieland's future.
In essence, Gosling's Ken becomes a catalyst for change, challenging the status quo and sparking a thought-provoking debate about the dynamics of power and gender roles in both fantasy realms and our own world.
So, as we delve deeper into the world of Barbie and Ken, we can't help but applaud Ryan Gosling's compelling performance, which not only adds depth to the character but also contributes to the film's thought-provoking exploration of societal dynamics.
I thought this was the moment where the movie could have made a point that an ideal world is where men and women must live in equality. Where Ken gets a bigger beer fridge and stable inside a pink and glamorous still-mostly-pink house ....and they learn to share.
But no.
The movie takes a different turn.
Barbie Land: A Feminist Wonderland or Missed Opportunity?
The film's messaging was clearly feminist, but it veered into some tricky territory.
While it aimed to point out issues with historical patriarchal norms, it leaned a bit too hard into matriarchy within Barbie Land. It's Barbie's fantasy realm, after all, and she's determined to keep it that way—a stark contrast to the real world to make a point.
The Barbies in Barbie Land ended up replicating the very issues they critiqued, ruling with an iron fist. They hardly noticed the irony in their feminist utopia where Ken was marginalized.
It's as if they believed that a woman's worth is solely tied to male validation. I find it weird that such a feminist film conveys that message.
And when the chance to promote gender equality arose, they maintained their all-girl control, even dividing the Kens to conquer them. A head-scratcher, considering their initial complaints about patriarchy.
Barbie Land sure knows how to hold onto its all-Barbie reign.
Missed Opportunities for Gender Equality
Like I was saying earlier, at one point, it seemed like the narrative would steer towards gender equality and being the change one wants to see.
But it shied away.
This was a missed opportunity to deliver a powerful message. Instead, the film opted for overt, less subtle messaging.
I have a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a niece. I wholeheartedly support equal opportunities for women in their chosen pursuits.
That's a message worth championing.
Unfortunately, "Barbie" has missed the mark on this one.
"Barbie" left me with mixed feelings. A sprinkle of humour a dash of feminism, but too many inconsistencies.
It's a reminder that even in fantasy realms, addressing complex issues like gender equality requires nuance and a well-crafted message. I hope that in the next Barbie adventure, they find that perfect balance of comedy, feminism, and a meaningful message that resonates with us all.
… oh, and that Margot Robbie remains the lead role. She’s amazing (I doubt this will get me a date with her).