Barbie (2023)

Barbie (2023)

2/10

Starring

Margot Robbie

Ryan Gosling

America Ferrera

 

Directed by Greta Gerwig

 

There comes a time when you just know that everyone is pulling a fast one on you. You are the butt of the joke. This time, it’s all the people who rated this film so highly. Let me tell you, this film sucks. Same with Oppenheimer, there seems to be some jokes that I am not getting.

I saw it, waiting to experience all the greatness people were raving about. Yes, the acting was good. But beyond that, the characters were stuck in their own identities, making the entire movie feel stiff. And the story? OMG, this film should have been called Barbie’s Feminist Movement Parade.

I love Margot Robbie no film can undo her influence or the incredible work she’s done in the industry. But seriously, what was the point of this movie? Every wannabe TikToker or influencer is out there shouting the same thing, saying this film is great, at the top of its lungs. But even with all its messaging, the film could have done so much better.

What made the Lego films cool was how they broke away from the identity of the box their characters came from. But here, Barbie is stuck in that box wanting to be perfect, wanting things to return to the way they were, where she was in control. And when things do change, she doesn’t restore balance in Barbieland. Instead, she makes it so women rule everything, while the Kens are reduced to mere decoration.

Now, the plot: Barbie starts her perfect day in Barbieland, where everything is always the same. Nothing changes until one morning, she wakes up consumed by thoughts of mortality and sadness. She confides in the other Barbies, who send her to meet Weird Barbie. Weird Barbie explains that someone in the real world is projecting their fears and thoughts onto her, causing a crack between their worlds. To fix it, Barbie must venture into the real world, find this person, and set things right.

Barbie takes Ken along, and they quickly discover that the real world isn’t a reflection of Barbieland. While Barbie struggles to make sense of the real world, Ken becomes enamored with the concept of patriarchy and decides it’s the perfect system for Barbieland.

This film was offensive to my brain. I think I lost IQ points watching it.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this film became a box-office hit. People will probably praise it out of fear of being different or telling the truth: this film sucks.