I'm really sorry to say this but I absolutely hated this movie. Greta Gerwig's deliberate refusal to show equality in a fictional imaginary Barbie Land made me mad as hell. This is not real life, it's just a movie, and yet the Barbies and Kens can't even be shown as equals at the end is irritating. Ken has an antagonist in Barbie Land, but Barbie does not. We are never shown how an idiot like Ken takes over Barbie Land, but we are only shown how the Barbies regain control. The Kens fight each other, but the Barbies do not. They mention "Patriarchy" several times, but never "Matriarchy". Are you seeing a pattern here? I have no problem with a film that pokes fun at men and blame the patriarchy, but it should never be called Barbie then. People have preconceived notions regarding a Barbie movie and this movie honestly never felt like a Barbie movie. Some have cited films such as Legally Blonde, Clueless, and Life-Size, as more representative of a true Barbie movie. Their lead protagonists never had to apologize for their exterior being, in fact, they embraced their femininity and impeccable fashion sense, to help change peoples judgmental opinions of them and help make the world a better, brighter you. Margot Robbie's Barbie doesn't have a clue what she wants and is only interested in her needs and not those around her. She abandons Ken and her own people without a second thought. Revokes individuality in favor of conformity. Ironic that Mattel didn't make a doll of Barbie in Birkenstock sandals and only made the ones that resembled the REAL Barbie.
I completely understand what you mean and I appreciate you sharing your own thoughts on the film itself. I fully get that as not every film will appeal to everyone and people will get their own issues and problems with said medium and looking over it I completely understand in what you mean as they seem to really gloss over the likes of some of those issues and topics like Ken taking over Barbieland and Patriarchy and all other concepts so I fully get that. I am sure it could be a case that a lot more of this concept could've been explored or was more of the basis that they want to have this simple film of the fun land of Barbie, goes to the real world and then returns when things seem a mess but never delve too deep into the deeper themes. I am sure if given free reign (and maybe there was possible studio interference which Warner Bros is known for) they may have tapped into those concepts more but maybe they can work it into another form of follow up or series or something or another take from another director but I guess we will see how that turns out. Either way I still appreciate the response of your thoughts on the film and provide some valid points on your perspective to it all and hope you have a great day all the same :)
@@samharrison9734 Thank you. I would also like to add that our protagonist, Barbie, is indecisive, which is not a good quality for young girls to emulate. When Sasha asks Will Ferrell, as Mattel CEO, what Barbie's ending is, he says "Well, that's easy. She's in love with Ken." But Barbie says she's not in love with Ken. Groaning in frustration Will asks "What do you want?" Barbie stupidly says "I don't know." She doesn't know what she wants but for some odd reason she knows she doesn't love Ken, then magically out of nowhere she wants to become human. The film may have ended with her going to the gyno but that doesn't guarantee she won't change her mind again. And who do you think is paying for all that? Ruth Handler tells Barbie that she named her after her daughter Barbara. But most people are unaware that Ken was named after Ruth's very own son Kenneth, but Greta Gerwig chose not to disclose this vital info. Making the Kens jobless and homeless, despite the fact that Ken has had myriad careers throughout the decades. Some may think Ken is superfluous or just an accessory, but if he were irrelevant as Alan, then he would have been discontinued a long time ago. Hope you have a great day also.
