*******Spoiler Alert****** The Barbie movie gives viewers a tug on the heartstrings when it shows us how today’s society treats women and how they have been downgraded in the past. It also shows how anybody can be super happy on the outside and then be super sad and lonely on the inside. Another thing is the fact that the actor choices, set, plot, music, message & nostalgia it brings are thoroughly thought through to the point of it being exceptional. I love it when each of these things are executed to a T.
The actor choices in who they picked to be Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) were such great choices because their chemistry was perfect for the movie. I also love how they put Doja Cat in the movie, even if it was for a short amount of time. Who they picked to be Gloria, the mother, (America Ferrera) was the perfect person with that level of calmness but also chaos. Lastly, the actress that played Sasha, the daughter, (Ariana Greenblatt) was perfect for their mother daughter that was needed to really do good for the part.
Next, the set was so good for the film and how they used all that pink paint. The raw effort they put into making sure they set looked the most like a dream house you could find in a store is exactly what was expected from many fans. The transitions from the real world and the barbie world were so cute in the fact that they were 2D with real actors in the shot. I feel like that kind of technology has been underrated and should be used in more films like this one.
After watching, I feel you start to feel the real hit of how the plot really is special and how the plot really shines in on its own. It really shows how society views people and women are being downgraded many times, even in today’s world. But I also love the splash of fun it has with different lines that give some comedy to the serious plot that they are putting together. Lines like “I’m just Ken”, “And what a good job you do at beach.”& “Every night is girls’ night.” These really made me laugh in the theater.
Speaking of comedy, the music in the movie was so funny, like “Pink (Bad Day), I’m just Ken, Dance the Night.” They all make me laugh and how they underline the sad parts of them under the loud, happy music. But there’s also some sad songs like “What was I Made For.” This song made me cry in the theater because of the raw message it gives to the audience and how it makes you speechless & spiral at the same time.
Moving on, the message that is portrayed is the fact that women are starting to gain more respective positions and the momentum cannot stop. It is also a lovely homage to the respect we should give to our mothers and how we should realize that they have a life with worry also. It is not just work, their lives are filled with stress, joy, worry, sadness & everything that comes in between. Also, the movie shows how healing the inner child is so important to moving on in life.
Lastly, there is the nostalgia that comes in play at mostly the credits. The dolls that had been released over the years had been presented in the end credits. It was so nostalgic that it just made me so happy to the point of tears. They really highlighted my childhood in the sense that they showed what each one was and their backstory. It really brought me back to the days sitting in my room just having fun with Barbie and Skipper.
