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REVIEW
July 24, 2023
Barbie
The reinvention of Mattel's beloved toy is a sweet and empowering tale, reminding audiences of the power of imagination and the importance of being whoever one wants to be, irrespective of societal norms or gender roles. By: Syahmi Zulqarnain
Story: Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colourful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.
Length: The comedy-drama film has a runtime of 1 hour and 54 mins.
Cast: The film is directed by Greta Gerwig, who also writes for the film with Noah Baumbach.
The film stars Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, among other notable stars such as Dua Lipa, Issa Rae, John Cena and Simu Liu.
Review: The story centres on Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling), who are living blissfully in the enchanting Barbieland, where every dream is within reach, and gender equality appears to be perfectly achieved.
In this fantasy realm, Barbie dolls can be anything they desire, from lawyers and doctors to physicists and presidents, inspiring similar achievements in the real world. However, when a mysterious wormhole opens between the two worlds, Barbie and Stowaway Ken embark on a journey to the reality they've only glimpsed.
Their arrival in the real world proves to be a fascinating revelation for Barbie as she faces unexpected challenges and insecurities. The once seemingly perfect and perpetually smiling Barbie now grapples with feelings of sadness, anxiety, and mortality, and even finds herself dealing with physical changes like flat feet and cellulite.
In the real world, Barbie encounters Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), a gothy teen, who reveals the darker implications of Barbie's image on society. Sasha accuses Barbie of perpetuating harmful stereotypes and setting back the feminist movement. As Barbie navigates this new reality, she becomes increasingly aware of the deep-rooted issues surrounding gender roles and the prevalence of male dominance.
Back in Barbieland, the villainous Mattel HQ, represented by Will Ferrell, attempts to confine Barbie back to her plastic confines. But Barbie is now resolute in challenging traditional norms and advocating for empowering change.
With wit and humour, Gerwig's script, co-written with Noah Baumbach, playfully references various pop culture icons while exploring Mattel's history of reinventing their dolls and sometimes facing backlash for controversial models.
"Barbie" delights audiences with its entertaining and inclusive approach, appealing to both younger fans familiar with animated Barbie tales and seasoned cinephiles seeking clever film references. Ryan Gosling's portrayal of Ken adds a touch of vacuous charm to the narrative, while Robbie's performance shines brightly, solidifying her role as Barbie.
The film's core message of embracing individuality and defying expectations resonates throughout, culminating in a spirited dismantling of male dominance. Greta Gerwig's adept direction, along with the creative contributions of the production team and songwriters, ensures that "Barbie" sparkles with energy and audacity.
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