Barbie Review

Introduction / Cast of Barbie 2023

My review of Barbie 2023 is dedicated to female readers be it young, middle aged or senior citizens who have fond memories of their childhood playing with Barbie dolls. Barbie is a brand of dolls crafted and introduced by Mattel in markets on 03^rd March 1959 and has been the brand’s longest selling product. The popularity of the doll grew based on the Mattel’s ability to introduce a series of interesting by-products and accessories such as the Barbie Dream House and Jewelry making kits which its target audience found relatable to their life. As business grew, Mattel spread its wings in Hollywood by launching a production house. 2023 is a landmark year as it marks the introduction of the 1^st live-action film on Barbie dolls called Barbie. Previous Barbie movies have portrayed Barbie as an animated character which made Barbie 2023 a movie that many were looking forward to. The cast of Barbie 2023 includes Margot Robbie who enacts the instrumental role of Stereotypical Barbie, Ryan Gosling enacting Beach Ken and Will Ferrell who enacts the role of Mattel’s CEO. Currently running in theatres worldwide since 21^st July 2023 and breaking records set by The Dark Knight Rises and 3 historical Harry Potter films, the time has come for our favorite doll to introduce the woman of today who is ready to break the stereotype and rule the world.

Barbie 2023 downloads

Barbie 2023 Synopsis  

In the enchanting world of “Barbie,” the film takes us to the world of Barbieland exhibiting the classic Barbie Dream House, a remarkable matriarchal society where Barbie and her diverse counterparts thrive with confidence, independence, and success. Within this world, empowered Barbies hold influential roles, such as doctors, lawyers and even the PM as opposed to Kens who while their time by engaging in leisure activities at the beach. Barbie herself embraces her independence and strong female friendships, leaving Beach Ken yearning for a deeper connection.

She is living the dream when suddenly at a dance party hosted at the Barbie Dream House, she begins to grapple with existential questions about mortality. A physical transformation takes place the next day, leaving her friends agog. To reclaim her former self, Barbie embarks on a journey to the Mattel headquarters in LA, accompanied by persistent Beach Ken.

They make their way to the famous LA based Venice Beach in search for the human who is playing with her doll version. With the formidable Mattel CEO following her hot on his heels in his valent attempts to re-box her, she finally reconnects with her owner, Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), who is the narcissistic daughter of Gloria (America Ferrera), a Mattel employee undergoing a mid-age crisis. To cheer herself up, Gloria begins to play with her daughter’s dolls and ends up transferring her insecurities to unassuming Stereotypical Barbie resulting in her mortality premonitions.

Amidst the chaos in the “real world”, an avalanche is brewing in Barbieland as Ken returns back before Barbie after undergoing a transformative journey of his own having discovered patriarchy in the “real world” and using it to influence his peers who are soaking the sun in Barbieland. They stir up a storm by converting the classical Barbie Dream House into a Ken zone by changing the design of the house into a horse theme, atrocious!!! Barbie 2023 exhibits the battle between Barbie and Ken which has her transcending her own existence, becoming a metaphor for the challenges women face in society. Resiliently supported by Gloria and Sasha, Barbie races against time to restore Barbieland and the Barbie Dream House to its rightful order while being pursued by relentless Mattel executives and facing resistance from Ken who turns against her.

As Barbie strives to rekindle the spirit of Barbieland, she faces resistance from her fellow dolls who are under the influence of Ken’s patriarchy and choose to shed their empowered identities behind. Gloria uses her marketing skills to reinspire the Barbie’s under Ken’s influence. The film culminates in a poignant moment as Barbie embraces herself by embarking on a new chapter, leaving a legacy that defies limitations.

Misused Empowerment

Barbie 2023 unlike previous animated Barbie movies has painted a stereotypical life where women are empowered by holding influential positions. It does not show how these women strived to earn these positions, making it impossible for grownups to identify with. I agree that time is limited but am pretty sure that script writers could have dedicated some time to exhibiting how these positions were achieved.

Cringeworthy Scenes

Empowerment when misused results in vanity which many do not appreciate, me included. Scenes involving Barbies mistreating Kens made me cringe in the movie hall. The eventual culmination of this mistreatment was Beach Ken discovering patriarchy in the “real world” and casting a spell on the Barbies present in Barbieland and uprooting the Barbie Dream House. The wicked spell made them willing slaves and non – committed girlfriends of Ken until Stereotypical Barbie shows up with Gloria and Sasha to break the spell.

Target Audience Considering the major viewers of Barbie 2023 have been girls spanning a wide age group of 4-18 years, the storyline influences impressionable minds in a negative manner. Regardless of country of domicile, we all know how banal and dull life would be without our fathers, brothers or husbands having an active role in our life. Painting such a blasphemous image for girls who are growing up and would actively use the ideas portrayed in this movie in their own life is disappointing, to put it mildly.

Childhood Memories

Despite the drawbacks, most of us have watched Barbie 2023 because it allows us to reminisce our childhood which is a fond memory for many of us. I am not ashamed to admit that I was hooked to playing with Barbie dolls and insisted on having a Barbie Dream House for several years and only gave up this fond hobby because I had arrogant friends who called me childish. Am glad to notice that Barbie 2023 does not shy away from depicting how Gloria plays with her daughter’s dolls to get over her mid – life crisis. Barbie has several interactions with narcissistic Sasha who initially bullies Barbie to tears but contributes to saving Barbieland with her mother. This shows that standing up for your cause can convert a bully into a friend, a lesson that I wish I were familiar with growing up.

Palm Springs inspired the Barbie Dream House

The Architectural design of Barbieland deserves a special mention given how Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer, the designer and decorator of Barbie 2023 constructed the theme. The Barbie Dream House drew inspiration from the aesthetics and architecture from Palm Springs based on the uber-cool Kaufmann Desert House. Striking a balance between dreamy and tangible (as toys need to be tangible) was what director Greta Gerwig had set out to accomplish. I am pleased to confirm that she accomplished this with finesse especially with the slide present in the Barbie Dream House which is both whimsical and practical.

Pandemic Woes The COVID-19 pandemic was a big setback for the movie making industry. Most of us were familiar with the economic setback when it came to box-office numbers considering the lockdowns, restrictions on cinema capacity and cinema hall fumigation measures. Movie productions for ongoing films were also delayed as the world was in lockdown and during restricted times, sets needed to be fumigated. Several actors also contracted COVID-19 which they easily contracted through travel. Most of us were unaware of supply chain issues which were rampant in the pandemic. Pantone 219, a shade of pink was the main color needed to establish the Barbie Dream House. Unfortunately, it was in short supply due to COVID-19 related supply chain issues. Furthermore, freezing temperatures during winter resulted in large amounts of paint stock being damaged and with supply chain issues it was next to impossible to obtain the needed stock. Despite all the pandemic hiccups, I am glad to see the off-screen efforts paved the way for an amazing result as Barbieland looked like a dream come true on the big screen.