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With a combination of some initial vague marketing and obvious brand appeal, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” raised some questions prior to release. What is all the hype about? Was this going to be a two hour long, $12 commercial?
It was hard to tell, but the film being released day-and-date with Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” surely gave it a jarring contrast in theaters, with some seeing the two films as a double feature.
The film centers around Barbie living in Barbie Land. She has the perfect life. There’s beaches, big plastic houses, elaborate clothing, even an entire system of government.
It is flashy, a true spectacle, with an all-star cast led by Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.
One day in Barbie Land, Stereotypical Barbie (Robbie) is stricken with thoughts of dying and an almost sudden self-awareness.
She visits Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon) for advice and is told that she has to go into the real world to visit her real-life owner who may be the source of the issues Stereotypical Barbie is experiencing.
And that could have been the movie. Stamp a big PG rating on it, sell some toys, call it a day.
Instead, Gerwig delivered a deeply personal tribute that moved audiences. This movie didn’t just affect the target audience because there was no target audience.
Theaters were packed with people of all ages, all watching this moment in time that may never be replicated.
It earned $1.4 billion in worldwide box office sales, easily making it the most watched movie of the summer.
For some skeptics of the film, any and all opinions or biases they had quickly faded. Everything about this movie subverts expectations.
Barbie is initially a one dimensional character, until she starts to morbidly question her own morality and explore her meaning.
Ken (Gosling) is a simpleton with a bold character arc, though his dance scenes embody classic Gosling in a way that transcends any Mattel product.
It’s as sparkly as it is subtle, with the more personal character scenes standing out from the dance numbers and action scenes.
Sets are intentionally stiff to emulate the toy-like environment.
The soundtrack features artists like Billie Eilish, Dominic Fike, Dua Lipa, Ice Spice, Khalid and Tame Impala — who are all at the top of their game here.
What initially seems like a fun kids movie turns into a unique tale of current gender stereotypes and what’s wrong in the world. It laughs in the face of corporate America, Barbie as a brand, even Oppenheimer for that matter.
“Barbie” does what the best kind of movies do, subvert your expectations and leave you with a lasting, personal message. “Barbie” is deeper than the dream houses, the outfits and the toys. It is a love letter to those still holding onto a faint glimmer of hope for fairness in the world, which may leave you questioning your own place in all of it.
