Alright, it’s the movie double-feature of the summer: Barbie and Oppenheimer. I am seeing the latter in proper IMAX 70MM film this coming Monday. Barbie I saw yesterday evening, and here are my thoughts. (Spoilers, obviously.)
I think it’s a brilliant move to have an auteur filmmaker like Greta Gerwig to helm this film. Barbie is refreshingly layered in its expected commentary on the legendary doll brand. We did not get a cookie-cutter hero’s journey, which is a surprise given how safe studios play it these days with franchises. Bold move by Mattel to hand the reins over completely to a director’s singular vision. It’s partly why Barbie has such a buzz around it (and Oppenheimer, as well): audiences know they are in for something different, something unique.
Historically, was Ken always such a needy nice guy? The Barbie movie played on the theme that Ken is completely dependent on Barbie. His happiness is totally hinged on her whims and approval. Who knew the blonde-haired buff guy on the beach is such a clingy nice guy? Whose every action to seek approval from Barbie only erects the barrier further higher.
So then Ken fully embraced the “men’s right movement”, the pendulum swinging completely the other way. The patriarchy looks super attractive when it seems to solve all the resentment Ken has towards Barbie. No need to seek approval when the world view is women are the enemy, and only the docile, placate-able ones should be let in. What a pleasant surprise to see this particular commentary on masculinity in Barbie. And we thought it was going to be just about feminism vis a vis the titular doll.
Ultimately, Ken arrives at a happy medium between being a doormat and Andrew Tate. Barbie needs him to be his own person, to have his own life and dreams. That is what will make him attractive and trustworthy. She also admits her part in their relationship, how she took him for granted.
Barbie gets a recommendation from me. Onwards to Barbenheimer Part 2!
Sunday afternoon stroll.