INTRODUCTION
Title: Barbie the Movie
Rated: PG13 (Not for Young Kids)
Release Date: July 21st, 2023 (Nationwide)
Director: Greta Gerwig
Screenplay Written by: Greta Gerwig and Noah
Baumbach
Cast: Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as
Ken. Also starring America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea
Perlman, Hari Nef, and Will Ferrell.
Teaser Tagline: She is everything. He is just Ken.
BACKGROUND INFO & SUMMARY
This live action movie about the iconic Barbie doll, created
by businesswoman Ruth Handler (and officially launched for mass consumption on
March 9, 1959), has finally been made into reality. It was originally announced
to be made in September 2009 and began development and production in 2014.
Originally the very talented and awesome Amy Schumer was supposed to star as
Barbie before creative differences got in the way. She dropped out. In 2019
Margot Robbie was cast and the rest fashion doll history.
Wikipedia stated this best when summing up the gist of this movie: "Barbie and Ken who go on a journey of self-discovery after their expulsion from the utopia Barbieland." They enter the real world to find answers to help fix Barbieland, but not without some major trials and tribulations along the way. But as a matter of fact, it was not only this fictitious Barbie that was facing some serious obstacles along the way, but so was this movie in finally getting made. I mean over ten years? Really?
As an avid Barbie doll collector and fan, here is a precious
glimpse into our beloved Barbie doll's imaginary world! Finally, a live action
movie that showcases our girl in her full glory, but does it live up to its
hype? Since last year the fanfare over this movie has been building. When
Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling filmed that infamous rollerblading scenes that
we now see in the trailers, it went viral sending off various Barbiecore trends
over the past year. And these trends are not slowing down at all! The Barbie
fandom community cannot keep up with all of the collaborations that have been
unveiled as we get closer and closer to the release of this movie (editor note:
This portion of article was written prior to seeing the movie on July 19th).
There is a lot that Mattel has riding on the success of this movie! But does it
deliver not only in the image and entertainment value? Does this movie also
succeed in delivering on a solid message that will resonate with the billions
of Barbie fans that are out there and will help to influence the new fans and
next generations yet to come? Barbie has always been about both loving yourself
and being yourself. It is a theme from the very beginning when the doll was
first created that this concept, in its most basic form, was always there
taking its time to develop and become a more solid message as time (and the
development of the doll) progressed on. It was certainly a proud moment in
2016, when Mattel started including in its playline Barbies and Kens of varied
skin tones, face molds, heights, shapes, and sizes. This one change and
transition brought about a revitalization to the playline at a time when sales
were down, and people were beginning to stop believing in the power and message
of this doll. Grown adults and children could finally see a bit more of
themselves in the entire doll collection and expand, not only their
imagination, but their confidence too as well. Can this movie not only
entertain, but be pink and somehow deliver this modern direction
dreamhouse-style without taking themselves too seriously? I know that as a fan
of Life in the Dreamhouse, I wanted to see something close to that wonderful webisode
but retain its originality too.
Although there are a lot of important aspects to pay attention to, I do know that the one main message that they are trying to deliver is definitely in regards to inclusion. As I watch this movie, I will be looking see if they succeed in providing us with a well-rounded movie that will lead to a sequel or if it is just a fun summer movie or the least of the least a flop and failure.
TRAILER RECAP (SPOILERS)
Thus far, just from the trailers alone, we know the
following: There are many Barbies that exist in an alternate imaginary world
known as Barbieland. Their world is based upon our collective thoughts about doll
life, and it is fantastic! Their mundane lifestyle is our plastic dreams come
true. Life is indeed fantastic when you're made of plastic! Of course, this is
all threatened when Margot Robbie's Barbie starts to experience non-Barbie like
things begin to happen to her like not gently floating into her car, asking out
loud at her dance party if any of the other dolls thought of death or the
worst! One day, your perfectly arched feet turn flat! We see that she has to
travel to the outer limits of Barbieland to visit with the mysterious but
neglected oracle splits Barbie (Editor: After the movie comes out, it will be
revealed she is officially known as weird Barbie) for advice, and she tells her
about visiting the Real World for more knowledge. Apparently, Barbie doesn't
want to go and wants to stay ignorant. I don't blame her! I would, too, and
have no problem admitting that! If I were her, I would go back to the
dreamhouse and stick my flat feet back into my stilettos and pretend it didn't
happen for as long as I could! Eventually, she does go because she becomes
viewed as less than perfect in Barbieland, and strange things continue to
happen that need fixing. She makes the decision to go and unknown to her, a Ken
that appears to be genuinely fond of her, hides in the backseat of her car,
with his rollerblades no less, and accompanies her there. When they get there,
the real world is a rather tough place to exist for a doll to get used to.
Apparently, she gets arrested twice, separated from Ken, and is tossed in jail,
where she speaks with women that tell her they gave up on Barbie a long time
ago once they stopped being a child. (Editor: I must say that this is very inaccurate,
but I am leaving it in any way for the fun of it! After all it was my first
initial impressions.) This hurts her a lot. She gets out of jail, potentially a
jail break, and ends up at Mattel headquarters where eventually she has to run
away from them too! But this time she has help in the form of one of the
employees: Gloria. She, Gloria, and a little girl (affiliated with Gloria) help
her escape and return to Barbieland. As Barbie is driving and is showing Gloria
and the little girl around town, we find out that Barbie has no idea where Kens
live. Meanwhile, Ken is still separated from Barbie and is in the Real World
causing himself a lot of trouble. He somehow ends up at a hospital antagonizing
a doctor because he believes only men could be doctors. Apparently, before he
returns to Barbieland, he has a learning arc to complete too (as does all of
the other dolls) should Barbieland continue to thrive and survive. Of course,
in between all of this is great action, music, and dance scenes! As we get
closer to the release date of the movie, we get more trailers teasing other
parts of the movie that we haven't seen yet such as Ken sings theatrically
"I'm Just Ken" like it is from a cheesy 1980s off Broadway musical. I
could try to piece this together with the other clues but at this point, it
would be best just to see the movie which is real soon!
PREDICTIONS
I have covered just about everything that we know from the
majority of trailers that I have seen, and this is primarily my perceptions,
presumptions, and point of view on what happens in the movie. I am excited to
not only see how accurate I am in my presumptions, but I would like to make
some predictions to see if I am right as I watch this movie!
I believe that mystery splits Barbie (weird Barbie) visits the real world quite often and is one of the dolls behind the odd changes happening inside Barbieland. She is probably working with Mattel and is leading a double life. I think that she could be one of the eldest dolls like Francie or something. I also think that “mystery-splits” isn't the first doll to escape to the Real World. Midge could be the first and is living and raising a family in the Real World with a different version of Alan. The real world imitates doll life and Mattel creates a Midge doll that is pregnant too with disastrous results. I think that Ken has to stay a bit longer in the Real World for his character growth. He must learn about the Real World and Mattel in his own way, and he helps Barbie with what he knows in the end to save Barbieland. I bet at the end we will learn more about the Kens and where they live! I am sure they have their own Kenland! Since it has been hinted, I wonder if after everything has occurred, will Ken finally get to visit Barbie at her place as he asked? Or will she visit Ken at his place leaving it all up to our imagination?
If you have not watched the movie yet then play along with me! Think about the trailer and then make your best predictions about the movie before actually reading the rest of this review! It will be fun to see how much we got right together or didn't see coming from the trailer Barbie Besties!
FYI, I got tickets to the limited release early premiere on Wednesday July 19th, 2023. And I can't wait to see if my assumptions are correct! I picked out my outfit and the dolls I will be bringing. Looking forward to this experience a lot and I am sooo excited!
AFTER VIEW DISCUSSION
Piecing it together!
I just saw it, and I am speechless! It was amazing, and it
was nothing like what I predicted! I must have only gotten one thing right! It
was a refreshing take on what Barbie stands for traditionally from the past,
modern-day, and for the future! They delved deeper and went beyond the ideas
and concepts of loving yourself and explained the message behind being yourself
and the courage it takes to fight preconceived notions and misconceptions about
normalcy and identification. It was indeed done seriously without taking
themselves too seriously. There are quite a few laughs outside of what you see
in the trailer. The response was in return favorable.
For the most part, the story is very straightforward from the trailer. In reviewing my trailer recap, I see I got some details wrong that I thought were fact. I tried to backtrack and denote where I was completely off so as not to confuse anyone about the real plot. I decided to leave them in for the fun of it and to show my thought process and perceptions at play. I can confirm without spoiling it too much that there are indeed things changing in Barbieland, and it is uncomfortable. The imaginary world is indeed connected with the real world. Our Barbies have human counterparts that keep Barbieland in its utopian state. But if there are enough intrusive thoughts and stray ideas introduced, it can influence this world enough, and change can spread like wildfire. This is what happens in Barbieland and why Margot Robbie's Barbie leaves Barbieland to find her human. As it turns out, it happens to be Gloria, a married mom employed at Mattel trying to find a new Barbie design that will resonate with the younger generation that is jaded and is quickly losing loyalty and interest. Gloria has a daughter now in high school who is cynical about playing with dolls and has formed more adult feminist ideas. To shun Barbies is a rite of passage into the adult world. Gloria herself has lost some passion and spirit in her and unfortunately it is showing up as she makes her Barbie designs. She needs to find a way to reconnect with her former self that took the world on in a youthful and strong way but from a stronger and more worldly and wiser perspective. As Barbie travels deeper and deeper into the real world to find Gloria, she becomes more reluctant. Self-awareness is a painful matter, and human emotions can be overwhelming and bring complications. She is reluctant and resistant to these new feelings and changes because her world was perfect, and she doesn't want it to change any further or to learn more. She thinks that finding a way to stop and reverse these changes is the way to solve her problems. She has no idea that that isn't the answer. Whether she likes it or not, it is a journey unto her in uncovering her own identity and to answer the questions and define who she is all on her own: Who is Barbie? What is her history? Where does she come from? Who is she now and where will she be in the future? How does she conduct herself in the here and now and in the future? These are all universal feelings and situations that we all deal with as humans. As an imaginative person, I have wondered how Barbie would deal with real world issues if she was taken to task to do so. As it turns out, I wasn't the only one who thought about this, and Greta Gerwig sought out to write and direct a fun summertime movie that covers the concerns of fans and critics alike in a thoughtful, but yet, thought-provoking manner all the same.
CASTING AND ACTING
When it was first announced that Amy Schumer would be
Barbie, I initially loved the idea because I think she is a gifted and talented
comedian that could have brought some fun concepts to the movie. (Years ago, I
saw her perform live and I could not stop laughing!) Once that fell through, I
had to get over my disappointment at a missed opportunity. I am glad I did!
Margot Robbie did an amazing job as Barbie. She looks just like her and
provided a full range of emotions for that part that was truly heartfelt. And
she seems to still be having a blast getting dressed up as Barbie long after
the movie finished filming while she promotes it to the press! Ryan Gosling as
Ken is truly amazing. He is a triple threat acting, singing, and dancing. He
plays Ken as a loyal companion vying for Barbie's attentions in both a silly
way and a way that elicits empathy from you. You hope that he has character
growth so that it is likely Barbie will return his affections and like him
back. America Ferrera as a bewildered mom and employee gives a very special and
captivating performance. The importance of her character should not be overlooked
or unapplauded. It is her character that delivers and drives home the overall
message that we all universally need to hear about womanhood, and she speaks
directly to and for women of all kind and fellowship that exist strongly in the
audience and fandom.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Visuals of this world are just stunning! Using the color
pink in the volume and the amount that they did could have gone horribly wrong
and also turned quite a few people off. Pink can be a color that can be either
very aesthetically pleasing or horribly wrong, and it can happen in the blink
of an eye. They did create a global shortage of pink paint from using it for
the movie. The look does work out great. They used various shades of pink to
help balance out the strong signature Barbie pink and other colors, hues, and
tones that match well and balance the high usage of the color a lot. In the
end, you don't notice all the pink and get caught up in the storyline, which is
a good thing. The set design makes me want this dreamhouse and world for my own
home or a place to visit often. Barbieland is a fun pink dream come true where
you don't want to wake up from should you end up there. Plastic pink beaches,
sunny warm days with happy palm trees, cozy quaint pink town near your
dreamhouse with other dreamhouses nearby. Barbieland must happen for real and
soon!!
SURPRISES
I teared up twice during the movie which I didn't see
coming. When the movie got touching and deep, it got you good. Anything where
they referred how hard it is to be a woman and all its contradictions made me
feel strongly in those moments. As I looked around the audience, I know that
other women felt it too! A lot of us were vocal and spoke up loudly. In a good
way that was in line with the mood of the movie. The synergy in the atmosphere
of the movie theater was harmonious and great!
Moments where they were about Mom and daughter dynamics and
their struggles too were right on. It doesn't feel that long ago that I was a
kid with my Barbies and now I am a mom with a daughter with Barbies. The role
reversal happens, and it leaves you bewildered at times, inadequate for the
things you can't change but you thought you would when it was your turn as a
mom. Yet somehow in the middle of it all, you still find in the uncertain
overwhelming moments feeling that magically charmed strength. All of a sudden,
you are capable and full of love for your little one beside you and it drives
you. With all of your flaws, you make it work for you and yours. (I love you
Lily!)
Also, I was right that someone in Barbieland betrays the other dolls, but I was absolutely shocked at who did the betrayal and the lasting effects thereafter.
There are scenes that were genuinely laugh out loud funny!
We did have a few laughs and shocking moments that I won't spoil.
I was surprised that I did get right Ken's self-discovery and journey! He does learn a lot about himself and how it relates to Barbie. However, he is not the one to help Barbie save Barbieland or help her to empower her with her self-discovery or self-worth. He learns that it is a personal journey that every human (and now every doll) must take accountability on their own for their personal development and growth.
OPINION
La-Like:
1 All the Barbies that I ever liked and their world in live
action and 3D! Whoa!
2 I like Weirdo Barbie a lot and thought I wouldn't. I feel
oddly embarrassed to admit that. It's ironic that I didn't give the weird one a
chance to prove herself.
3 The display of the discontinued dolls! Interesting walk
down Barbie history regarding some controversial dolls that at first Mattel had
wanted to forget but now embrace due to nostalgia. How time softens the resolve
and the perspective.
4 Barbie experiencing human feelings, emotions, and thoughts
for the first time and dealing them in both a fashionable and unfashionable
manner.
La-DisLike:
1 They didn't use Alan or Midge enough. This probably would
be one of the real surprises that I didn't like!
2 The actual villain/anti-hero of the story (which was not
Mattel or weird Barbie).
3 I wanted more of the secondary Barbie and Ken characters
and their back stories! When will the sequel come out? How soon can they do
this?
La-Love:
1 Too many special scenes and moments to mention without the
risk of over spoiling the movie! The best part is to let it take you by
surprise because you think you know what to expect but you don't!
2 The meaning of being a woman and the relation between mom
and daughter and how Barbie represents this bond so perfectly.
3 The surprise guest appearances that touched my heart the
most was Rhea Perlman's motherly character and the elderly woman on the bus
stop bench with western outfit Barbie!
4 The buzz amongst the movie theater audience! There was a genuineness
about being a part of the communal excitement surrounding this movie. The
audience was completely engaged whether they were dressed in their best pink
attire, just being vocal, or brought their mini me to the theater too like me
and my daughter. It was a great experience that you don't get from the regular
casual movie going experience. The audience was very positive and responsive
throughout the whole movie to all the exciting and pivotal points of the movie!
It felt like the night of the shlong-poofa from Dreamhouse days. The big
difference was it was in person at a movie theater instead of on twitter in the
virtual realm. It was just more personal thereby a warmer experience.
CONCLUSION
This is a wonderful, surprisingly thoughtful, and clever
summer movie. Timing was everything. I am glad it took this long to be released
because it was well made with the right cast. Although I love Amy Schumer and I
had wished long ago that she had stayed with the project until completion,
Margot Robbie is the best Barbie I have ever seen and could have ever hoped
for. I think that this is a summer hit, and a sequel is sure to follow. Of
course, go and see it especially if you are a Barbie fan! Just like the meaning
behind Barbie, this movie is everything and more!
This is where I say bye-bye, but like Barbie I don't want this story to end, so instead, with my best, biggest dreamhouse smile ever, I'll happily say, "Hi Barbie!" And maybe you'll say it back because every ending has a new beginning!💕
VIDEO REVIEW:
I do have a fun video review created from the perspective of
a former Life in the Dreamhouse doll that has decided to go by the name #15.
You can view the video here
or watch it below!
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Blog
Article Resources: |
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https://sea.ign.com/barbie-1/202459/news/fun-facts-you-should-know-about-barbie-the-movie |
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https://ew.com/movies/why-amy-schumer-dropped-out-original-barbie-movie/ |
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https://www.vogue.com/article/barbie-costumes-jacqueline-durran |
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Until next time… Barbie Besties! La-Love Ya!
LaLa XoXo
LaLaLolly’s ToyBox
Bringing La-Love to Barbie doll & dreamhouse collectors
and customizers.
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