Review: 'Barbie'

By Mia Sandoval

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Barbie the movie was released during the summer of 2023, directed by Greta Gerwig, with a cast that included Margot Robbie as Barbie, Ryan Gosling as Ken, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, and America Ferrera to name a few.

This film focuses a lot on self discovery of both Barbie and Ken. As well as feminism and social expectations on women through Babrie’s (Margot Robbie) point of view and what she

experiences in the real world. But then, an issue of power of Barbieland arises, which stems from the visit Ken made to the real world where he witnessed male dominance, respect towards him as a man, and brought that mindset back with him, removing all barbies and replacing them with kens. Barbie fights back for her right over BarbieLand.

The visuals in this film are honestly great, from BarbieLand to Barbie's Dreamhouse, the

costumes, when the actors and actresses break out into song, fun choreography, the set is well designed, and very attention grabbing. This movie consists of a soundtrack that was made for the movie itself. The music is very catchy, upbeat, fun and girly! More sounds that are heard throughout the film is dialogue mixed into the music and a few times alone following the characters lines.

Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Barbie was very well done, I believe she was a great choice for the role, also her mannerisms as Barbie, when she’d use her hands, or when walking and how perfect Barbie acts. Ryan Gosling's acting was great. He portrayed well the type of Ken the film aimed for, which is not so similar to the one we’d play with growing up, while Ryan’s character is more naive and insecure. The movie's direction is well thought out, for instance when Ken arrives at a building and sees men working out, boxing, then it turns to him going up escalators and mesmerized by a big screen displaying power, patriarchy, strength. It gives you an idea of what he may be feeling.

The movie Barbie does explore current social commentary like how women are seen in our

society, Barbie coming from a ‘perfect world’ to visiting the ‘real world’ and experiencing a

feeling of self consciousness because of how she’s looked at. In the film she describes it as an undertone of violence. Ken, as a man in the ‘real world' feels admired and strong, and that ‘men rule the world!’.

The movie focuses on Barbie getting to witness the real life challenges humans, whether that will be getting to witness, laughter, sadness, anger, or joy; as well as getting an understanding of how women are viewed and treated by society, the good and bad, the pressure that gets put on us, but at the same time proving how capable we are. A couple of things that worked well was that the film focused on highlighting what a human goes through in life, that being changes, emotions, and challenges.

Having someone who is seen as perfect, experience those things instead of making a movie that is just based on a doll. Also, making Ken’s character the way it is. Ken is very insecure, emotionally dependent and naive like previously mentioned. But I will agree that it helps roll into the message of the film. Ken grows emotionally from being insecure, gaining a toxic masculinity side to him, to later discovering who he is as an individual and not as ‘Barbie & Ken’.

Lastly, one small thing I feel did not work well was Ken’s personality, he was a bit annoying, but I acknowledge his personal growth which helps. Also the choice that all the male barbies name was Ken, I think they could have switched that up to have them stand out.

In my personal opinion I really enjoyed the film, I connected a lot with its message and I believe it is a film that a lot of women and girls can relate to. I say this because it touches on

expectations that are put on us as women, what we grow up to believe, our imperfections which make us perfect in a sense, our role in society, and most importantly our abilities. We can do and be anything we want. It’s a movie that I think everyone should watch at least once, it can even just be for fun, but I do feel that even if it’s for that simple reason you walk away feeling moved, inspired and with a new perspective on yourself, a positive one.

“Because Barbie can be anything, women can be anything”. - Barbie