Barbie is the newest film from director Greta Gerwig about the iconic toy. The film stars Margot Robbie (Wolf of Wall Street) as the titular character and Ryan Gosling (Drive) as her side piece, Ken. While the film’s buildup to its release was paralleled by that of Christopher Nolan’s complete opposite end of the color spectrum, Oppenheimer, there was quite a bit riding on this film.
Will it be good? What is the point of a movie about Barbie? Greta Gerwig is killing it with independent films, so why is she selling out and directing this corporate franchise piece? Is all of that pink really necessary? Buckle up, buttercups, I am going to answer all of these. My name is Nolen, I am a dude, Barbie is great, and I want to talk about it. There will most likely be some spoilers ahead, so proceed at your own caution.
Let’s Play at my House: What Barbie Means to Me
As a boy who liked wrestling, the color blue, and rock music with kick-ass guitar licks, the idea of liking Barbie was light years away. If my sisters could like it, then I would stay far away from it. Now that I am a man that likes UFC, the color green, and rock music with kick-ass guitar licks- I wish I had the imagination to like Barbie as a kid.
I am a brother to three sisters, a son, a grandson, and a boyfriend. Being a 23-year-old guy with a life surrounded by women has given me a perspective that not many men are fortunate to have. Regardless of who is in my life, Barbie was destined to come out into theaters, and I was destined to see it. Luckily, this is the good timeline for Nolen, so my Barbie experience was unlike that of a certain walking dumpster.
Unfortunately, I have to sink to Operation: Dry Desert’s level really quickly and talk about some stuff I did not love. It will be short. I promise, I do not hate women.
Ken Shapiro: What I didn’t Like
There are some elements that should not work for me structurally and within the dialogue, but they mostly do. However, there is one thing within the writing that was not wonderful and spectacular to me.
Simu Liu (Right) as Ken, Margot Robbie (Center) as Barbie, and Ryan Gosling (Left) as Ken in the 2023 film Barbie. Image provided courtesy of Warner Bros. Studios.
The only thing that has really left a small sting in my mouth was when Barbie meets Sasha for the first time. She calls Barbie a stereotypical image of societal beauty standards, a representation of capitalism, a children’s play thing, etc., etc. I don’t actually have an issue with this scene, but it is more in the character trope I dislike.
My gripe is small since they basically do away with it pretty quickly. The “middle schooler who knows what capitalism is” trope is annoying to me. It never matters what the topic of scrutiny is, I just do not like it. Luckily this is the only scene where a trope like this took me out. I also think Will Ferrell and his group of Mattel board members was a bit pointless, but it was all well, good, and fun, so I am not too upset about it.
Aside from that I really cannot think of anything else that bothered me. This moment is just a trope I have never enjoyed, but it does not detract from anything overall. That’s enough of that. Let’s sing some praises.
Stand-Up Comedienne Barbie: The Comedy
Barbie is really funny. There were times in the theater I was laughing harder than what felt like anyone else in the theater. I expected to have a good time but I really did not expect to laugh as hard as I did at points. Everyone pulls their weight at the Giggle Factory.
Margot Robbie as Barbie in the 2023 film Barbie. Image provided courtesy of Warner Bros. Studios.
Barbie herself is in no way a dumb character, but her innocent belief in herself and everyone causes plenty of fun goodness. My apologies, women, but I really thought Gosling as Ken was the funniest character. When Kate McKinnon (The Spy Who Dumped Me) is on she is ON. In Barbie she was definitely ON as Weird Barbie. Will Ferrell (Elf) has been so good in roles as the cartoony corporate antagonist. Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim vs The World) as Allen is literally me and every second, he was on made me smile like an idiot.
Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings) is an idiot and that is really funny. Issa Rae (Insecure) is definitely the President and I loved how silly, but firm she was. Honestly, out of everyone in this that deserves their own spin-off it is definitely President Issa for me.
Screenwriter Barbie: The Script
A major part of what makes the Barbie script so good is the balance between uplifting and positive comedy and great dissections of the depressingly true standards the people of Earth have set. Like I said, there are so many tropes and gags in this that absolutely should not work, but do for me.
Issa Rae (Center) as President Barbie in the 2023 film Barbie. Image provided courtesy of Warner Bros. Studios.
There are two theories currently circling my brain about how the writing came to be. Option A: Greta Gerwig is an incredible writer, she knows how to speak her mind in a wonderfully descriptive, but equally silly way. Option B: Greta Gerwig did her homework, saw the matrix in front of her eyes, and decided to change the “Half-Fantasy, Half-Reality” movie game. ¿Por qué no los dos? It is definitely both.
What works so great about this script is what it is building towards. Personally, I could not tell what the end was going to be, but each scene adds on to the wonderful final third act in plain sight. To me this story is more than just about being a woman through individuality and as part of a collective, but it is also exactly that. I know that may make no sense, but let me cook.
Feminist Icon Barbie: Identity
In the beginning, Barbie knows everyone and the idea of something other than Barbie Land sends her into a spiral and an adventure on her own. With Ken too, of course, but literally no one in this movie is concerned about him at all. In the end Barbie has accepted herself, her “purpose,” her fears, and what she has the abilities to do.
Michael Cera as Alan in the 2023 film Barbie. Image provided courtesy of Warner Bros. Studios.
Despite being a grown woman, this is without any doubt in my mind a coming of age story. From trying hard to fit in with the other Barbies, to understanding what it means to be a woman and what Barbie means is a huge growth of person.
Growing up to fit in only to grow up and stand out is something every single person comes in contact with in their lives. What makes Barbie so special in this approach is how it emphasizes that it never matters what age you are, you can always still find you.
Digressing just a little bit back to the script, it all leads up to an end that is very necessary. There are moments of self empowerment, group positivity, and individual discovery that all culminate in a beautiful scene about what Barbie truly stands for. This is the one scene I do not want to spoil because it is so lovely, tender, personal, and wonderful that it is impossible not to tear up a bit.
Multi-Talented Ken: Miscellaneous Greatness
There are a few more things I just want to shout out, but do not totally know how to properly shoe-horn them anywhere. The soundtrack is very good. Dua Lipa is good. She is not directly on my target, but the songs she made for this soundtrack were very fun and cute. The same goes for Lizzo, her songs were fun, however I do love Lizzo. Ken’s favorite song being “Push” by Matchbox Twenty is the best joke this year. Nothing will top it and we all need to accept it now.
Margot Robbie as Barbie in the 2023 film Barbie. Image provided courtesy of Warner Bros. Studios.
The set design was pure perfection. There was a global halt on the color pink due to this movie, and that is so awesome. John Cena Mermaid Ken is cool, and my jaw dropped. Rhea Perlman is the most important woman alive, and we all need to protect her. My favorite character in this whole movie is America Ferrara. She is overall so lovely and needs to be protected as well.
If the patriarchy was less about destroying bodily autonomy and more about horses and Matchbox Twenty, then maybe things would not be so horrible. Having the job “Beach” is the funniest thing I think I have ever heard. On one final note, “I’m Just Ken” is beyond words. It cannot be described for how incredible of a song it is.
Barbie Directed by Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig has made something special here. Barbie is a completely necessary movie for an entire library’s worth of reasons. Although I am not the targeted demographic, there is still so much for me to enjoy, appreciate, and carry on. If Barbie is not your thing, then that is so cool, but no one cares at all. You need to grow up, quite frankly. Give Barbie a chance to entertain you, to move you, and to grow with you. I am giving Barbie a 9/10 and I need a “I am Kenough” hoodie A.S.A.P.
