https://medium.com/@AlexKelaru/film-review-barbie-2023-daf170f42c39
Just a little bit more than four months ago, the premiere of the new Barbie movie took place, and it was a huge hit for a very good reason. I am going to tell you why that is. Now, this is not your typical Barbie movie by any means. A Barbie movie (as I will assume you have at least seen one during your childhood) is a fun animated movie with plastic talking dolls living a so-called “perfect life.” The new Barbie movie, on the other hand, does not involve talking dolls, but rather, real actors and actresses. There is a powerful message targeted at females who remember playing with Barbies when they were younger, and the image it set into place for them at such a young age.
The Barbie movie advocates for a rise in feminism, while reassuring women around the globe that they can still enjoy playing with their childhood toys and look back fondly on those memories. The reality and challenges that women face in today’s society, one of which is sexism, is heavily portrayed throughout the movie. As I have observed through friends, family, and peers, the Barbie movie touched many people, and brought out intense emotions as they watched it. Regardless of who you are, and what you stand for, this movie makes young women feel seen.
When you are a young girl, you generally look up to Barbie as a role model and source of inspiration. Barbie doll’s initial goal was to serve as a model for society to follow in terms of how a woman should appear, behave, and be. Barbie was set in young children’s mind’s as the societal beauty standard. Meanwhile, the Barbie movie addresses the sexism these dolls bring up, and the idea that men seem to hold higher power in society compared to women. This idea made me feel validated, and very connected to the other women in my theater.
In the Barbie movie, many different women from all different backgrounds with unique characteristics are shown. But, what makes them similar, is their shared experience of navigating similar feelings and emotions, highlighting the universal nature of their journeys as women. Barbie frequently explored the idea that women should not spend their lives based on a beauty standard and that there are plenty of different women with different attributes that are just as so-called “perfect” as stereotypical Barbie is. Throughout the course of the movie, the “stereotypical Barbie” goes on an adventure of self-discovery and insecurity, where she is removed from her perfect world and presented with the harsh realities of the society that we live in today. During the course of her lifetime, each and every woman will inevitably go through this journey. No matter who you are or why you are watching this movie, I guarantee that you will shed at least one tear while you are watching it. This comes regardless of the reason you are watching it. Barbie’s message is so powerful it almost feels like a punch in the gut, except, you do not feel sick, you feel changed.
