Under the watch of just about anyone other than director and co-writer Greta Gerwig, even a well-executed Barbie movie would be nothing more than a one hour and 54 minute toy commercial that's chock full of meme-ready visuals and intentionally corny dialogue. Instead, the generic Barbie played by Margot Robbie's seemingly utopian existence in a plastic, imaginary world sets the stage for a fable: a fantastical story with a clear message that applies to modern society.
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"Nothing more" is a key phrase when bringing up commercialism and corniness, as both are present in spades. Instead of leaning into silliness in a way that plays to kid-friendly blockbuster film expectations, Gerwig and her partner, co-writer Noah Baumbach, respectfully poke fun at their subject matter to thoroughly compare the innocence of childhood to the sad realities of the real world.
Warner Bros.
Though the childlike wonder inspired by Barbie dolls can be healthy for kids, such ideals lack the nuances of the positive (achieving lofty goals) and negative (navigating societal expectations) aspects of being an adult. At the same time, cynicism fostered by a patriarchal system — one that's no more fair to imaginary and real Kens — shouldn't drown out what we can learn from toys and their roles in developing individual creativity and fostering playtime bonds with parents, siblings and friends.
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Beyond teaching the whole family valuable lessons with a kids' property, the filmmakers pull off an equally impressive feat. They skillfully convinced at least one viewer to emotionally invest in characters that initially embody things we just can't be: physically flawless, blissfully naive and seemingly immortal. Kudos to Mattel, as well, for signing off on a film that makes the business of Barbie one of the butts of its jokes.
In all, Barbie's stunningly pink visuals and banger-after-banger soundtrack set an idyllic stage for an earnest story about dreaming big, even when your waking hours feel like a nightmare.
