Barbie, the new film directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, is not your typical toy movie. It is a meta comedy that explores the existential crisis of a plastic doll who escapes from her perfect world to the real one, where she faces the challenges of patriarchy, consumerism and identity.
The film has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, who praised its creativity, humor and social commentary. Some have called it one of the best films of the year, while others have highlighted its subversive and feminist message.
Robbie plays Stereotypical Barbie, the Barbie everyone thinks of when they think of Barbie. She lives in Barbieland, a pink paradise where Barbies can be anything they want and Kens are mostly accessories. But when she starts to question her existence and develop flaws, she visits Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), who tells her that there is a malfunction in her connection with her person in the real world. She decides to go there to fix it, accompanied by Ken (Gosling), who is secretly in love with her.
In the real world, Barbie and Ken face many obstacles and adventures. They get arrested, meet their makers at Mattel, encounter young critics who accuse them of being symbols of unrealistic beauty standards and consumerism, and discover emotions and feelings. Barbie also learns about the struggles of women in a male-dominated society, while Ken becomes fascinated by the power and privilege of men.
The film is a technical marvel, with impressive costumes and production design that recreate the iconic Barbie playsets and products. It also features a catchy soundtrack that includes Indigo Girls’ “Closer to Fine” as a recurring theme. The film is rated PG-13 for some language and sexual references.
Barbie is a fun and smart toy story that offers more than meets the eye. It is a film that celebrates individuality, diversity and empowerment, while also poking fun at the stereotypes and expectations that surround Barbie and her world.
