by Tabatha Golat –
When I first heard about the Barbie movie, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the idea. As a childhood Barbie enthusiast, the concept of a film centred around a doll seemed ridiculous, but as the release date approached, I found myself swept up in the frenzy and embraced Barbie-mania. The tongue-in-cheek trailer and my trust in Greta Gerwig’s directorial prowess erased any doubts. On opening night, I donned my pinkest outfit and joined the crowd for the premiere. The theater was a sea of pink, and as the lights dimmed and the screen came to life, I realized: “This is what movies are all about – bringing people together to share joy.” And Barbie did just that. It turned out to be an unexpected rollercoaster with a story that had the entire theatre laughing, crying and buzzing with delight.
Barbie is still in theatres, and you can now rent it on streaming platforms like Apple and Amazon. The film stars Margot Robbie as the iconic “Stereotypical Barbie,” and Ryan Gosling plays Ken in a role that I’m convinced will have him nominated for an Oscar.
Barbie‘s plot is refreshingly straightforward: Barbie and Ken live a dream life in Barbieland. After being thrust into the real world, their adventure takes a turn when the executives from Mattel try to get Barbie back into a box. The magic of Barbie isn’t just in its story but in the blend of art direction, wardrobe, soundtrack and cinematography, creating a sensory spectacle. Barbie conveys a heartwarming tale of empowerment and friendship while imparting valuable life lessons without becoming preachy.
What sets the film apart is its self-awareness and willingness to poke fun at itself, which it does brilliantly. I was genuinely surprised that Mattel allowed some of the audacious dialogue, including a teenager labeling Barbie a fascist and Ken attempting to introduce the patriarchy to Barbieland.
It’s safe to say that when I describe this film as unexpected, I truly mean it.
While one might assume that a movie about dolls is primarily aimed at children, Barbie’s PG-13 rating makes it better suited for teenagers and adults. Younger viewers may find the lengthy monologues a bit taxing.
Barbie is a heartwarming and visually-captivating journey that breathes life into the beloved toy franchise. With its uplifting messages and endearing characters, it’s a must-see. If you’re looking for something similarly fun to cozy up to, check out my list of recommendations below.
1) Charlie’s Angels, Netflix
2) Legally Blonde, Apple
3) Funny Face, Amazon
4) The Stepford Wives, Amazon
5) 13 Going on 30, Netflix
