BARBIE - Movie Review
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- Опубліковано 28 лис 2024
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The Matrix twist of this movie should have been that she wakes up in the real world at a Barbie factory in China where she realizes she is just one of millions of clones, and her soul/individuality comes from the girls playing with her.
Way to close to home for current HW. Hope to see THAT movie someday.
This was one of the grandest comments I've ever put eyes on. Toor the roof off this thing!
that was such a brilliant idea!
Wow that would've been brilliant. Kind of connects to the whole existential crisis aspect too.
No,she wakes up in a pod and after various trials and tribulations realises she is ‘the one’ and has to battle Agent Ken.
People were literally weeping in my theatre at the part when Ken stood up and firmly stated “God’s children are not for sale!”
🤣
LOL
?
I am always surprised how you are able to articulate your point so well. Your reviews are always full of nuance that other critics always lack.
shes not selling shit. for example: I THINK, christopher nolan is selling us narcissism. hes creating plots that make the people who (pretend to) get them shine. hes constantly hiding shit instead of JUST SAYING it! and then there is this HUGE "masterpiece, masterpiece"-hype thats just about people feeling empty, bored and disoriented. they WANT the next big thing to come around. then they go in and see the film, dont actually FEEL who oppenheimer was, but still tell themselves: "hey, its so convoluted and complicated - ITS A MASTERPIECE!"
shes just staying with the facts and not the moviegoer-neurosises that other movie critics fuel probably without even knowing it.
@@oooodaxteroooo what you wrote is not shit, why would it be??
@@oooodaxterooooWhat lol
That’s because you watch videos and you don’t read. Also, she’s not gonna do you.
@@dabearcubhaha
Ryan Gosling was definitely the best part of the movie. Dude's hilarious.
I am ken anywhere else I be a ten.
You have low standards.
The Kens being both an avatar for women's lower class in real life due to them being lower class in Barbie land, but also being a stand in for a bad patriachy made the message confusing. It's like the Kens are the butt of every joke and then are the patriachy - but also are the barbie land equivalent of women without power in the real world? So were meant to see them as a joke for doing something about being opressed? But see it as horrible for women?
In the real world the patriachy is potrayed as this big bad thing and then Ken brings that back to barbie land, but the barbie land matirachy is then the good guys fighting that. I realise the writers probably thought they were doing something clever and complicated but really it just came off like womens struggle against patriachy is some noble thing but the Kens were a bit of a joke and bad for struggling against the Barbie matraichy.
It would have been clearer had at least some of the Barbies been more obviously bad like the Kens that Barbie land was a reverse of the real world, but as they werent it just seemed to give the message that women in charge is better than men in charge.
That was another problem with the Barbies except for the broken Barbie - because the film tried to be so empowering for women, none of them were allowed to be a joke in the way the Kens were so ironically the Ken patriachy is the most fun part of the movie. It's like Greta Gerwig was so eager to slam all these male tropes, but couldn't really bring herself to poke fun of women in the way which a Barbie sisterhood gives you easy set ups to do. She instead saw that as a chance to represent matriachal harmony.
It also has to be said that the bitterness about men does shine through in the movie, I can't think of another movie which so completely pillorizes literally every character of one gender. Even America Ferrara's husband is made an idiot and mocked for some reason. All the men, literally all, are dum dum villains or just dum dums.
The Kens became a “stand-in for a bad patriarchy” only AFTER Ken returned from California and changed everything. The message isn’t that confusing. The end message (which many seem to miss because maybe it’s rushed or glossed over) is that BOTH patriarchy and matriarchal societies are wrong and everyone should be true equals, though President Barbie has that joke about keeping the Kens at low-level government jobs which kinda undermines that point 😂😂😂
@@kurtrivero368 So you say the message is clear but the movie also undermines it? Seems your message is about as clear as the Barbie movies.
The point I was making is that the Barbie land matriachy isnt potrayed that badly -wheras the real world patriachy and Ken patriachy are.
Literally every single man in the movie is a dum dum or a dum dum sexist villain. Most of the Barbies are empathetic and competent. It's pretty clear that the Barbies are being potrayed as good and the men bad - surely you cant be so blind as not to have realised that as it's going on in every single character throughout the whole movie. Even America Ferraras husband is a moron who is mocked for some reason. When you have a matriachy which is full of competent organized women and a patriachy full of idiots it's clear which is being potrayed more positevly. So no it's not saying both are equally bad at all.
The easy way to understand the plot, and modern feminism in general, is easy through this lens: it's terrible when it happens to women, but funny and empowering when it happens to men. Men are the oppressors, even when they're the victims.
that's the reason Oppenheimer is a better film because it has none of those problems but Barbie has its message convoluted
Thank you for writing down my exact thoughts on the Barbie movie. It becomes such a mess by the end that it's hard to tell what they were actually trying to say (besides "Girl Boss Power"). When they advertised this movie with "If you love Barbie, you will love this movie. If you hate Barbie, you will love this movie", I was expecting them also making fun typical "female tropes", like how some women buy into competitiveness in beauty standards, over-sexualisation or the "girl boss" cliché as an excuse to become another cog in the capitalist machine. Titane or The Substance come to mind as better examples for how to do this type of message the right way, at least in my opinion
"People will always be attracted to beauty ..."
Very true. I don't understand why many today don't uderstand this or find it controversial. Its a very human instinct.
That's not the controversy at all. What gets people fired up is the suggestion only the established beauty standard can be beautiful. Or that you somehow deserve to be treated like subhuman waste if you don't fit a certain standard. Now, what I disagree with is shaming people for finding conventional beauty beautiful. People can't really help what they enjoy aesthetically. But elevate all types of beauty and treat people with respect based on character, not appearance.
People may whine that it's unfair but NOBODY doesn't understand this
Not only that, but people want to be seen as beautiful. It's a natural desire, and we have to learn to balance healthy habits of self-image.
@@bespectacledheroine7292eh not really there’s quite a lot of universally attractive features , you put Henry cavil or Adriana Lima in any part of the world and they’d still be seen as attractive , things like symmetry / good smooth skin / perfect hair / no balding / no wrinkles / no exaggerated features are all universal signs of beauty that applies to every race / culture
@@zorlockts5744they didnt say that
I recently discovered your channel, I think you are more inteligent than most of other reviewers out there, an actual critical thinker.
She’s only a “Critical Drinker” when she hates a film (brings out her wine), speaking of Critical Drinker lol
With no possible comparison at all. You see there are special people, Maggie isn't one, and that's why we like her so much. UA-cam is filled up with special people. Maggie is just one of us.
@@themadmattster9647 Jaja 🤣. You're right my friend. In recent times, she likes to drink cups of wine 🍷 during the shooting of her videos. I don't like that Maggie says rude/impolite words, it's not necessary. Even so, I like her so much! 💕. Greetings from Sonora México 🇲🇽...m 👍
@@Eduardo_Music8560get off the internet if you can’t handle words
What about Space Ice?
This movie really had a chance to explore matriarchy Vs patriarchy and how they differ, relate, their faults, their benefits, etc. Maybe have a part where the Ken’s and Barbie’s switch places so they become the cops, doctors, etc. And Midway though the movie the Barbie’s don’t like how they’re being treated, but remember that the Ken’s are treating them the same way they were being treated. And through that, both sides realize they have faults and do their best to unlearn behavior that puts each side down. Instead of a man Vs women thing it should’ve been both sides realizing they aren’t perfect basically. This putting men down to hoist women up thing is getting annoying in media. Not disputing little girls having things to look to in media but this isn’t the way to do it in my opinion. Also, Hollywood acts like little boys don’t need role models and lessons taught to them in films and shows too. It’s silly.
Pimps have this term "Pimps up, hos down." Feminists have taken that mindset and flipped it against average men. The truth is these women who THINK they have to compete with men, what they really WANT is for a man to tell them to shut the fk up and sit down.
It's because most men are nice and NOT pimps that's why these hos are out of pocket.
You're still expecting Hollywood to put out a good male role model? Naive
You missed the point of the very end of the movie right before Barbie leaves Barbieland, that patriarchies and matriarchal societies are BOTH bad.
@@starwarsroo2448What would you say is the last good male role model Hollywood has put out? 🤔
@@kurtrivero368 I don't know but it's not something that is currently part of the agenda.
Crazy saying that Gosling doesn’t belong in more serious tone movies cause Drive is phenomenal.
Thank you for putting exact words to my confused reaction to the movie! You nailed my feelings exactly because I wanted to love this film
I agree. when I watched it I felt exactly the same but then I couldn't really pin point it and being a guy I thought that maybe I was the problem and I was seeing stuff in the movie that I wanted to see. But how she explained at 13:30 is exactly what I felt and I am glad I was not the only person
Yes. Heavy handed is huge problem for me.
Just enjoy the movie it’s really if you accept the characters feel a way that you don’t necessarily feel. People are taking way too seriously
I'm sorry, but the message of the movie shows how out of touch Hollywood really is. Ruth Handler not only created the Barbie Doll in the 1950s, but she was the driving force and partner of Mattel Toys. She worked WITH her husband (her highschool sweetheart) in creating Barbie and a toy company. This movie could have had a great message at the end where Barbie realized that how women treated men in her world is just as bad as men treating women bad in our world. IE: if a woman could work with a man in the 1950s to create amazing toys, then men and women can work hard together to create a great world today...which we already do...which is what is disgusting about the message of this movie. Anyway, most of the people who will watch this movie don't think much anyway, so any message will just go in one ear and out the other while they mutter: "me like pretty colors".
People pick up the moral message of movies, even the people who only rave about the spectacle of the effects and cinematography.
Humans are hardwired to pick up on morality and social rules through intuition.
As a wise man once said, _your eyes may not have noticed, but your brain sure did._
@@johndoe-lp9my what does that even mean? Now Im lost.
@@KrisBryant99It's a Red Letter Media quote. At the time you watch the movie you might be distracted by the eye candy, you might be tricked into thinking you had a good time. But later you wonder why you're dissatisfied and start wondering why the story didn't quite make sense. Your brain noticed the flaws, you were just distracted by the special effects, bells and whistles.
@@johndoe-lp9myLmaooo the rlm reference
It’s a satire. Grow up .
I have watched reviews from left to right; from Beyond the trailer, The Guardian and NPR, to Film Treat, Critical Drinker and Ben Shapiro.
You review is the most articulated, objective and well thought that I heard so far! I am more "center minded" when it comes to these things. You got a new subscriber, good job!
Let me guess: the critical drinker and Ben Shapiro absolutely hated it and had nothing positive to say about it whatsoever??
@@amugsgame9936 I never said anything negative from anyone. Shapiro and Drinker had good points. The others too. Shoe 0n Head and Brett Cooper have very important points too; they find the movie accidentally anti woke, or even conservative. Vaush had good points too. Everybody has it. I am more of a centrist in these subjects.
The amazing thing is that I haven't see it yet! Maybe in the next week. Then I will arrive to a better conclusion.
@@Johnny-P-Good hey mate. That's fair enough. I never said that you said anything negative about anyone. I just made an assumption that Ben Shapiro and the Critical Drinker had really negative reviews of the film to the point where I imagine they weren't even willing to concede that there are any redeeming features about the film at all. But maybe I'm wrong! They are very predictable that way and they have to please their anti-feminist audiences! Anyway, it's good that you're watching lots of different reviews at least :)
@@amugsgame9936 I understand, thanks!
When it comes to "biased" content, I know what to expect from people like Shapiro, Drinker, Glenn Beck, Tucker, Jordan Peterson, The Young thurks, Vaush, Beyong the Trailer, Alice Capelle, Contra Points, etc.. I study them to better understand the culture landscape. And to me, there's good and bad takes from all sides.
Now, when it comes to my preferred sources on political issues, I prefer more "rational" and less "biased" individuals like Glen Loury, Thomas Sowell, Yaron Brooks, PF Jung, Lex Fridman, Brad Polumbo and Shoe 0n Head.
Now, of course, everybody is biased in some way or another. But if you are able to critique the evils and goodness from each side, that's a good start from me!
The Patriarchy?? Feminism??? Man, why can't we just have a fun movie without being preached to?
I gave you a like for being so sweeeeeeeeeet. Because modern day feminism is why.
I agree with you to a degree i guess.
i will say most of the great films had "preached" some sort of moral to the audience (like paths of glory,fight club, American history x etc).
This Doesn't make the movie good of course, but blaming "preaching" for the movie's shortcomings is imo wrong.
@@kalal9922 those movies listed are competent movies with actual legitimate moral dilemmas. The Patriarchy is so nebulous and amorphous that it can't be consider a real social problem. It's a conspiracy theory at best.
In terms of Ryan Gosling performances, Barbie and The Nice Guys would make a terrific double bill.
Also The Notebook, The Place Beyond the Pines, and La La Land were good Ryan Gosling performances.
At the very least I'm just happy that there's a movie where I can actually see whats happening and it doesn't feel like I'm looking at a mostly black screen for 2 hours
youre the only critic I really wanted to hear opinion from regarding this film.
Greta and Margot gave an interview to ABC media, available on youtube. The interview truly exposed their intention behind this movie. They just wanted to throw in as much controversial buzzwords as possible. They didnt have any clear idea about what was really the core of the movie. Margot even admits that it has radical feminism alover the movie. Greta was stuttering like an IC engine everytime she was asked a meaningful question about the movie's themes.
Just watch the interview, its such an embarrassment
Yess I watched it. She was just stuttering 😂😂😂😂😂
Indeed, it is absolutely a pile of hot garbage.
Absolutely ironic loads of girls going to this cause they to dress up and look pretty, relive some of their youth playing with le problematic doll.
The main concern I had was that they opted to go heavy-handed and Barbie apparently makes some decisions at the end that just kind of screw over the Ken dolls as if that's OK after many decades of limiting their freedom and autonomy.
The reason why that was done is because Ken is still just an accessory to the Barbies. When the patriarchy was introduced by Ken the products changed so... Yeah. Idk if that's what you're talking about but that's not what I think.
@@coalbun1094well I think that's the problem they're pointing out: the Kens start and end as the butt of the joke and the heel of society. The movie spends an hour beating us over the head with the downsides of the female experience and then celebrates forcing that experience on the Kens, who have only ever known that experience. In fact, the Kens have less agency and respect than women had even in the 50s. None of the Kens even did anything bad, really. They were just himbos who got confused and carried away trying to emulate "real men," yet we're supposed to laugh at their conclusion of "maybe someday we'll give them a little respect and freedom, as a treat"
@@jeepersmcgee3466That is what the movie is a satire of.
I think the biggest achievement of this film was being able to remove all the poop, needles and homeless people from the streets of California
thats an amazing achievement, cameron should be jealous
LOL
@@Delete59187 i thought the "homeless everywhere" stereotype comes from right wing politics?
PEWP PUPE POOOOOP 💩. It is bad in SF and always been in LA. Not in the rural areas.
@@ralphwiggum3463it’s reactionary propaganda to keep rednecks angry
I want to shout from the rooftops just how great Ryan Gosling is in this film. He nails every mannerism and little joke that probably wouldn’t have been funny with a different actor.
That’s all the positives I have for the film. I hesitate to use the word “hate”, but considering I declined my footrest in the theater because I was ready to leave about halfway through… I’d say hate is an accurate word for how I felt throughout every scene without Gosling.
First found out about his comedic potential in The Nice Guys. A modern classic in my humble opinion, the girl playing his daughter was incredible.
Great review! Love the way you articulate your thoughts. I’m not surprised Ryan Gosling was excellent in his comedic role. Years back he proved to me that he has a knack for comedy with his role in the film THE NICE GUYS. It’s an absolute gem of a film! Anyway, love your channel and keep up the great work! 👍🏻😀
Agree 100% The Nice Guys is great and Gosling was simply amazing! Need more love for sure! 😎👍
You've come out of seemingly nowhere to be my favorite movie reviewer. I always look forward to your thoughts now!
Oppenheimer for the jokes, Barbie for the pondering and thoughtful dialogue
*40 minutes of the score going 'wuurrrdddunn waaadaanaaa waaannaaa!"*
@@thecandyman9308That's the sound Hans Zimmer makes every time he busts a nut.
@@thecandyman9308is Foghorn Zimmer doing the soundtrack once again
@@starwarsroo2448No.
@@starwarsroo2448 lol....
100% agree with your points on new wave feminism. Also agree that Ryan Gosling is by light years the best part of this film. It feels like a potentially smart and interesting film unfortunately held back by it's insistence to pander to current politics.
You are seriously my favorite reviewer on UA-cam. I only recently discovered your channel and the way you articulate your thoughts and opinions is so well done and you have demonstrable critical thinking when it comes to your analyses. Great review; I plan on seeing Barbie next Friday and I can’t wait!
Spot on! I loved your opinion about how the patriarchy is something more of the past, at least here in the west ESPECIALLY in LA. I was born and raised in a country that was very machist and I had to get out it there because it was just toxic. And I can recognize that it is not what some feminist try to make it out to be here in the US especially!!! Even back in Guatemala I can see how it has changed tremendously and women can do anything and everything they want! Men have toned down quite a lot.
The most important thing is that I always felt a feminist however it’s been sad for me to see how feminism has turned into the new machism. Not good, I want everyone to be treated fairly and I don’t think men are being treated fairly. I am a mom to a boy and I don’t want him to be the new butt of the joke, or have to go through what women went through many years ago. I don’t want that.
Anyway, I appreciate your objective review, thanks! 🎉
i think at some point at its conception, this movie may have wanted to mirror how much patriarchy sucks by showing how much matriarchy sucks, and then they abandoned it.
I went into this because I liked Greta's previous work and was interested as to how she was going to make a movie about plastic dolls bearable. After my barbenheimmer double feature I can say it was much funnier than I anticipated imho. The production design should definitely get a nod, maybe even Ryan Gosling if the academy will even do it lol
I enjoyed the first 20 minutes, especially the 'dawn of man' beginning, but the rest of the movie is just "man bad, patriarchy bad. Woman good, girl boss good". And like you said the patriarchy isn't like it was in the 60's especially in the west, especially, especially not in 2023 L.A.
I enjoyed the movie a lot, like you said Ryan Gosling was shockingly funny in it. I agree that the feminism themes especially in LA felt kind of dated or out of touch with culture currently and that took some of the punch out of it for me, but overall I had a great time. It was also a lot of fun seeing it in a packed theater with lots of people dressed up and bringing a lot of positive energy, I think the last time I experienced that was the last Harry Potter movie. Also, I thought the set design / practical effects / sound stages were just fantastic
shockingly? have you seen the nice guys?
I am joyed the movie just messaged it ❤🧡💚💙💜
I was very torn on this movie too and you have described perfectly all the aspects I loved and hated.
Considering the feminist angle of the film, Diablo Cody should have written it. Cody's anti-misogyny tropes in Jennifer's Body are easily wittier than the "Patriarchy" here.
Interestingly enough, she did a draft for this movie but it went unused.
@@joshf.4270 that's exactly why i commented such
This movie reminds me why society is shit.
Have you even seen the movie?
@@kurtrivero368this dude would have to leave his basement in order to do that.
@@GreyGiger Aren't you a fragile little snowflake?
@@kurtrivero368 Because one must watch a movie to know it is shit? The premise alone makes me weep for humanity.
@@HorizonsleatherBlogspot2012
According to you
We dont live your world
I liked this movie a lot more than I thought I would. Ken was hilarious, the message though heavy handed and a quite corny is a good one and I was pleasantly suprised by the nuance kens character brought to the film.
Brilliant point about how the thesis of the movie would have worked much better as a period piece in, say, 1965 (a PERFECT year to pick, it's literally the cusp).
Not shocked a woman in academia wouldn't notice the heavy-handed misandry. Thanks to recent Hollywood, the term misandry is now becoming as prominent as misogyny. As these movies continue to deprecate men, men are taking notice. Modern day feminism is flat out male hatred; plain and simple. As is this movie. Simple seething, vile hatred of men.
The movie doesn't even hide from the constant utterance of "patriarchy". And like you said, Barbie gets slapped in the rear on a public beach in California. As if that happens. Probably because the writer couldn't think of any other way men actually demean women than to make crap up.
Movies like Women Talking or Don't Worry Darling and now Barbie, are providing the narrative that men are monsters that want to control women and their only option is to escape unto their own Barbieland where they can shed men.
I can see why a woman in academia would miss this as colleges are the brewing culture of modern day feminism. Where male hate is just accepted, women are just victims, and society is run by men who try to keep women subordinated.
This movie is garbage. Hollywood is garbage. I hope all the writers go broke on their strike.
I was also gobsmacked she totally missed the overarching misandry and the clear message that matriarchy is better than patriarchy. I was hoping the narrative would somehow resolve this issue but it did not. The msg at the end is that masculinity is toxic while feminity is entirely benign. WTF really?
This movie is exactly what we need today. This is how they think of us. The fastest way to make women miserable is to let them have what they ask for. Maybe someday spellcheck won't flag misandristic.
Have you even see the film? It doesn’t hate men, that might just be your own insecurities coming through. The film does call out patriarchy, while also recognising that the way the Barbies were treating the Kens wasn’t healthy.
@@Thomas15 Have you seen the film? I don't think so. At the end, Barbieland returns to matriarchy instead of finding a more gender-equitable system. Kens are once more relegated to being second-class citizens, albeit with token representation in government.
Patriarchy is represented as toxic (which it is) while matriarchy is represented as beneficent (which it isn't). Neither gender has a right to rule simply because of its gender.
The movie's distasteful conclusion is that neither gender needs the other which is existentially false as well.
@@Thomas15 What do you call degrading men and projecting men as complete monsters or morons? Now imagine a similar movie treating women the same way, there would be outrage.
I watched and reviewed this movie yesterday. Overall, I wouldn't say it was good, but it had its moments. I didn't really know what to expect out of a Barbie movie, of all things, but I can see they tried harder than I would've imagined. Maybe they tried too hard to a point where a lot of the commentary feels forced, uneven, and becomes inarticulate. I think some scaling back would've done this movie good, which I know Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach are capable of. It seems to me that they created this movie within the parameters of what the studio wanted, but that's just my theory. As always, great review, Maggie.
I've watched a lot of reviews and yours comes the closest to how I felt about the movie. Good analysis.
Movies like this are just a replay of Betty Thomas's The Brady Bunch movies from the 90s or Nora Ephron doing Bewitched (which also starred Ferrell). These pseudo-intellectual self-aware "comedies" using some recognizable IP, giving it a huge budget and starring HUGE respectable actors who are walking click-bait to a marketing department. Ice cream tentpole types movies with very minimal caloric intake selling themselves as "smart" and "topical". Except this time, the marketing department went so far as to market the movie saying "if you love Barbie, this movie's for you." and "If you hate Barbie, this movie is for you. Right. Because if I hate something then of course I should support it by paying money on first weekend to fuel further sequels in an desperate IP bid.
Haven't seen it, but based on the reviews. this movie is VERY different from Bewitched and The Brady Bunch. This movie is apparently a spectacle that mimics old-time Hollywood and you definitely wouldn't put those other two in that category.
9:00 "It kind of like gave off that like Johnny Depp-Jack Sparrow energy"
But we can respect Captain Jack Sparrow's character. "Just Ken" just doesn't cut it.
The way Ryan Gosling "stole the show" reminds me of when I realized Chris Hemsworth had so much comedic potential in Ghostbusters 2016.
Absolutely no idea why the film makers/Mattel would want to present this sort of messaging in a Barbie film? Since when is Barbie about ultra-feminism and since when was Ken a cuck?
I didn't like the trailer, I was never really hyped for this film, so while I kept an eye on it, I'm now pretty much 100% sure, that I'm not seeing it
I thought the eye candy was fantastic but I had so many problems with this movie. All of my friends thought it was just about the greatest thing they've ever seen and when I attempted to discuss it with them, I realized that it just wasn't worth it. My problem is that it is so hypocritical: it's "making a statement" about feminism, the patriarchy and corporatization when ultimately it's profiting off all of those things. We are at the point where Mattel (or insert corporation here) controls everything to the point where they can purposefully critique themselves and still walk away making a gazillion dollars off it. And sure, it's entertaining and funny at some points but for me, not so much. I found the comedy to be pretty average and the message incredibly obvious. It's like Mattel was revealing some kind of "truth" while simultaneously laughing at the audience and walking away with a fortune generated from our incomes in the process. Pretty gross if you think about it.
The intro tho. Epic. Maggie, I like the pink top for the review. Coincidence? I think not 😂. I like the movie thematically, and it's funny. I never thought I'd see a Barbie movie but what canI say life is strange. And I like your comparasement to The Wizard Of Oz.
I thought her name was Deep
@@Fun-D.M.V.😂
I thought she was gonna wake up after the montage and be the old woman at the bus stop who'd lived a life and found herself finally content with who she is. Barbie, her former self, would see her and tell her how beautiful she was "I know that".
I think that the reason the Mattel board scenes don't work is because it was clearly an after-thought, a self conscious attempt to make it less like an obvious toy commercial
The identity politics were to much my daughter was asking to many questions about a narrative that didn’t belong in a kids movie I took her home and put on some old animated Barbie films
too much / too many questions
Yes they promoted it as if it were a kids' film like Pinocchio turning into a real boy but yet again that was a bait & switch to get you into the cinema then lecture you with "current year" woke politics- and lecture your child too which is worse. I have heard better things about those Barbie cartoons.
It's never too early to teach your daughter that she's a victim of the patriarchy, after all.
@@derek96720 You're free to teach your children whatever reductive ideological concepts your heart desires, and others are free to to do differently with theirs.
@@llamasarus1 excluding the reductive label you’re correct but media should not be allowed to indoctrinate children by stuffing modern day politics into a kids film
When people say "real world:" regarding this movie, I smile, for both worlds are not real, it is a fiction fantasy movie for entertainment. I have only seen the trailer. I like the vivid bright lighting and colors, it reminded me of Pushing Daises, Cat in the Hat, Edward Scissor Hands. Too many low lighting movies and not enough well lit movies imo. Thanks .
I've seen Oppenheimer for the 7th time today here in Ireland. I hope to fly to London to watch it a few more times on the BFI Southbank big screen in the coming weekends. Barbie has done incredibly well in white skinned countries. Oppenheimer has actually surpassed Barbie's box office in Turkey, Hong Kong and India. Oppenheimer has also surpassed the box office sales of the highest grossing film in the history of Graumann's Chinese Theatre in L.A. - Star Wars - The Force Awakens. Oppenheimer has grossed $1.5 million after only three weeks, something The Force Awakens could only do in 15 weeks. Its worth noting that Oppenheimer is an R rated movie in the States and elsewhere, rated 15 in most of Europe and thus not released to the same audience numbers as Barbie. Additionally, its an hour, 5 minutes longer than Barbie. Given all of this, I reckon Oppenheimer is the quiet winner of the two. Finally, we have yet to hear if Oppenheimer will open in Japan and we know it will open in China on the 15th of August 2023. Additionally, the film's IMAX run has been extended in some theatres.
The hero’s journey begins with little girls smashing baby doll’s heads on rocks. Stunning & brave.
And a rip off
My goodness since when diid going to a movie get so complex? Does everyone have to have a degree in gender studies decode a bloody movie? That alone is reason enough to avoid it. And to describe humanity's love of beauty as a revelation? Good grief!
The movie really works depicting men in my country. We are waaaaay backwards on men respecting women here in Brazil.
I feel very much like you did with the film. Probably the first inkling that something was a little off was when Ken became obsessed with horses and that weird assertion that “horses were an extension of the man” (?) I found that extremely odd, because in my mind and experience, women were the ones that were always way more into horses than men were. I don’t know a single male friend that was ever into them. It would have made more sense if it was motorcycles, or monster trucks or dinosaurs or something. I would never have even thought of horses as being something that was more coded as male than female. After that part, there were other things that stood out but thought they were less strange.
Maggie new subscriber here thank you for being nuanced about the Barbie movie I would say the movie has a hamfisted message about patriarchy bad !
I love your measured critical assessments, because truth matters to me. You put a pin in my bubble, which calls for a grudging “Thanks, I guess, I probably needed that.”
There are a lot of ways to interpret this movie. I felt like the bluntness of the thesis was itself provocational. It just calls out for "Yeah, but..." That said, the couple I watched it with complained that it focused too much on Ken.
Agreed on all points. Ken could have his own movie.
I've been waiting for this review.
Those traditions are held intact. It's a big country and here in Ohio, not much has changed. The reason you sympathize with Ryan Gosling as Ken is because he's placed in the woman's role from the beginning of the story.
The cat call scene was funny but out of touch. I'm living in California there is no way a pretty blonde chick would be arrested for slugging a guy after he slapped her ass, in front of witnesses no less. That guy probably would have gotten beaten up by other men who saw it. Lol
You could tell Ryan Gosling was just having fun and wasn't taking anything serious.
If the satire had been sharper this movie would be great. The film had so much going for it. Great performances, terrific production design, some good writing. The new wave feminism is indeed what hurt the film for me. The film had too much going on and needed better story structure too. I love the film reviewer's singing voice.
Great analysis. This film isn't for me on any level. However I do question the relevance of a film like this? Children do not really play with toys anymore.
It seems to me like this film gets off on sexualizing Barbie and Ken without saying why they're still important.
I listen to grace randolph to be annoyed, i listen to drinker to laugh along, and i listen to based and cerebral maggie for the best and most articulate take
For some reason I'm reminded of Lars and the Real Girl also starring Ryan Gosling. I wonder why?
It's funny that you're so surprised with Ryan Gosling because La La Land and from what I've heard about The Nice Guys showed that he could be one of the great comic actors today.
This movie is waaaay too invested in the emotional truth of Ken to be in any way "misandrist." Like yeah they use the word patriarchy a few times but it ends on this big affirmation of Ken's personhood without Barbie. So I feel like that's what sticks in the audience's mind more and there's just the extra food for thought about women's issues if you really care to dig that deeply. Hardly "in your face" about any of its own points there except perhaps with the all-male Mattel board room, that was the most I could see that belabored a point consistently over a few passing mentions of feminism and patriarchy and all that. And it's not like they're wrong? Women *are* expected to be everything and nothing at once in a way we don't ask of men, from both men and other women (They could've emphasized that part more, yes), so it resonated with me personally. But even with Barbie herself, desiring to be messy human over a "strong woman" is where her arc sort of ends. She doesn't even wish to have absolute power to lead, designate or "control" anymore, she leaves to find her own path from the very ground up.
So yeah I think the criticisms against it have been exaggerated. As for the men barred from the Supreme Court law, the narration just makes it obvious men have to work their way up the same way women have in the real world which to me is, fair and pointed criticism of how women have been treated? I think the movie makes it clear this is still an imperfect society but it's as imperfect as it's been for women, but suddenly for men it's this great injustice and women are the big bad meanies for wanting them to see what it's like within the context of a movie with pretty colors and funny jokes about neon rollerblades and flat feet? C'mon. And beyond this, the movie all sarcastically goes, "all feminine all the time" at one point so I feel like there are jokes at the expense of hyper femininity too, and how you'd have to be a monster to identify with the feminist middle school girl calling Barbie a "fascist."
But in spite of us disagreeing I doubt I'll find a more thoughtful review than yours. You help facilitate my continued interest in film because I know there are people who care this deeply to make movies better by well-meaning criticism, I'm not alone and it's not pointless. I know you aren't like the people who hated the idea of the movie from day one of the trailers dropping, you clearly did want to love it and simply didn't. That's how it goes sometimes.
I just watched it yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought I wasn't going to like it at all, but I ended up loving it. This movie has great writing and acting. The commentary on social issues like patriarchy and gender inequality was interesting to see in a Summer blockbuster. I will definitely be watching it again.
I think your understanding of modern (4th wave) feminism is spot on. It is 1950s/60s patriarchy reversed, undermining the geniune gains of earlier feminist movements.
Feminism never had waves
Seriously wtf. 400,000 American MEN died in WWII so ppl like you and me would not be slaves to the Nazi or Japanese. You seriously arguing that they died for the Patriarchy and the right to oppress women
This line of thinking is totally disgusting and absolutely why this film and all the ideologies behind it are ruining society
You’re right about Ryan Gosling, The Nice Guys is a perfect example of what you’re talking about! (Deadpan comedy)
Just here to confirm that you are the best movie reviewer on youtube with no competition!
I really love the swagger of a Citizen Kane, Eight and a Half, Singin in The Rain, Goodfellas. Everything Everywhere All At Once had it last year but you rarely see a filmmaker adept and bold enough to attempt a smart, fast-paced, densely layered style that sweeps you long in a truly satisfying cinematic experience. Besides the criticisms of simplified gender politics (i.e. men-bashing) and the meta-narrative of appearing to critique capitalism whist endorsing a product and its visual iconography, I feel this is a landmark film of the 21st century. There is so much packed in to this film, it could merit multiple viewings - in terms of meaning and pure entertainment.
I was anticipating the pastiche of styles that created the colourful Barbieworld and, to be honest, was put off both the superficiality of that world and any modern feminist approach that demeaned men and celebrated Barbie as a feminist icon. But, the key thing for me, is that it's Barbie's story, it's from her point of view. So, the stereotypes of men with ripped six-pack torsoes and zero intelligence was not insulting but counterbalanced by the cathartic speech about what women have to struggle with to either please others or gain respect from others. And so what if Ruth is the Oracle - it's ten times better than The Matrix - Barbie's scene with her I found incredibly moving and truly satisfying. It's an incredibly ambitious, confident, literate, entertaining, clever movie that is so engaged with the present and the future of where we are right now and a truly artistic and entertaining handling of weighty themes. I am pleasantly surprised because I did not expect to like this movie and Greta Gerwig, whose Ladybird I love, has really excelled herself and come up with a masterpiece.
yep ya nailed it. exactly how i thought of the movie too as i walked out of the cinema last night. some great stuff in there particularly Gosling. Akin perhaps to Ledger's Joker in how much his performance elevated the film as a whole. How long is it now since Will Ferrels been funny btw? could of done without any of that Mattel/goon squad stuff. Robbie was terrific as expected but her journey felt rather hollow come the end which did not pay off emotionally for me at all. That Maxtrix stuff was so poorly handled. Love GG and can't wait to see where she goes next though. Great review thanks.
That opening was everything lol
Great points. I had similar issues. Ultimately it’s a false premise cause no real adults take the veracity of barbie real anyway, although it does probably influence people when they’re younger it’s usually before puberty so more innocent than anything actually being a conflict to ones own standards.
It felt more like a personal story of Gretas (like imagine being called greta) and her relationship with perceived beauty standards
Also some of the things didn’t make sense but that’s to be expected when these leaps of logic are permitted since it’s a comedy, which i find often works in its favour since you can get messages across without having to compensate for overt realism. Satire done well is one of the best mediums in my opinion.
I preferred it to Oppenheimer
Brilliant review! I think Gerwig is very talented. I can't count how many mumblecore movies I watched it the aughts. I always thought she was very charismatic and refreshing. I'm not sure how much of the script is her genuine voice and how much of it is expectations put on her by the studios--maybe even pressure that she put on herself to "send a message" with a movie about a kids toy instead of going all out and catering the movie to all audiences. You are also right on about Margot Robbie. In a society where everything from beer to pillows are polarized, she has managed to be amazingly charming from Wolf to Barbie. It shows that she has character and remains true to herself--and doesn't pander in order to be loved by the "cool kids". You did this, as well, with your review. Amazing job, per usual.
Great breakdown. As someone who heard the worst about this movie and was definitely not going to see it in theaters... well, at least I'm certain now I'll wait until it's on streaming. Sounds like there are a few laughs but in the end I'm not going to feel too great about it.
Good review, as always. I haven't seen it yet but my wife loved it so much as a pure comedy, without getting wrapped up in the message, that she's convinced me to go see it with her this week. I'm pretty curious what I'll think about it.
Your reviews are so much better than the 1M+ club on UA-cam. Your nuanced commentary is informative and thoughtful. I appreciate the honest takes.
A truly mixed bag. On a technical level I feel like the movie is damn near flawless, and the way the story is set up lays the foundation for all the thematic elements to work however the execution after the first 30 minutes of getting their points across takes an approach that feels more preachy than poignant. It wastes the potential of the medium they’re working in by opting to just have characters tell us in a very blunt manor what the themes are instead of crafting situations for the characters to go through to get their points across. If they’d done a little more showing us instead of telling us I think this would’ve been an absolute grand slam…But as is it felt a little alienating for anyone who doesn’t already fully subscribe to the current ideology of feminism and that feels like a waste of everything the movie does right. It had potential to maybe shift some people’s viewpoints on things if it had been a little more clever and subtle with the messaging but instead it sorta came off as a grand SNL sketch written by Buzzfeed. Ugh, I wanted to love this movie so badly but it became a frustrating watch for me.
Barbie" is nothing but a pretext to keep selling plastic dolls, nothing more. The satire it intends to perpetrate is so superficial that it's embarrassing.
The criticism of men and patriarchy is not even as fierce as I thought. Useless movies references. Watching Will Ferrell in this movie saddened me more than De Niro in Dirty Grandpa. Criticizing Mattel, but not too much (otherwise, how do we sell dolls?). Rhetoric, rhetoric, and more rhetoric. If it hadn't pretended to convey a message, it might have been enjoyable.
Just do a musical spin-off about Ken and stop pretending to be Ernst Lubitsch.
P.S. Yes, I had ChatGPT write this stuff because I can't write in English.
"If it hadn't pretended to convey a message" guess it went over your head then huh.
Hearing you describe the conflict between Barbie world and the "real" world makes me think of the play Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw. In the middle of the play, there's a great conflict for Don Juan to pick between heaven (reality) and hell(fantasy).
With all the reviews of this movie that feel like they’re pushing agendas, your review is SO refreshing. I just saw it tonight and pretty much agree 100% on every single thing that you said. The whole spin on how men are today, especially in Los Angeles, was pretty ridiculous to me and took me out of the movie. Also thought the way the message was presented way too heavy handed and safe. That being said I was super entertained and the production design was absolutely gorgeous
"I hate it when people think. I get so bored!"
i didn't love this movie but the casting was superb. robbie and (especially) gosling were perfect.
You are right. I didn’t think of that. Arriving to California is the wokest state in the union. The film definitely didn’t portray it correctly
The state where Reagan murdered college students and was the template for destroying cheap college ed has always been a conservative state. The same with Hollywood in the wake of the McCarthy era. Allowing gay people to exist is not a radical "woke" position.
The most level-headed and understated (in a good way) review I’ve seen for this film yet. I enjoyed the movie a lot, but I agree wholeheartedly with your analysis of its thesis and intent. Might go see it again thanks to you! :)
What a refreshing review. I enjoyed the movie but I got called a chauvinistic pig for pointing out the way they get to the real world didn’t make sense.
Real world?both worlds were not real, it was an entertainment movie.
You describe the unawareness of new wave feminists well. What you’re describing is actual equality
Good film. Not a great film. Not meant for everyone. A child's attention span may drop off at a certain point in the film. If said child is forced to understand deep subject matters, he or she will hate it even more. This film is not for kids, and not for a family outing, and not for overall let the brain go fun. This is a message film, nothing more. Whatever the world wants Barbie to be is entirely up to them.
The aspects of popcorn fun need to be upheld regardless of film type. A message hammered past the 25% marker doesn't need to be hammered at every point of interest throughout the film until the credits roll. There's something very strange about that. It felt like a military officer telling me what was right and wrong as a patriot and as a human. That rubbed me the wrong way. In the end, balance is needed in all things. Without balance the scales tip in one direction toppling the whole system with a gut full of too much sugar or too much salt. The scales were tipping in this film and I'm sure people sensed that. Either way, Barbie did its job and was good enough to be labeled as a good film.
They lost me every time ‘the Patriarchy’ came up.
Totally agree with your review - I didn't like the heavy-handed men v. women, us v. them theme, and I too felt more sympathy for Ken. I felt it was too preachy - there was no need for the monologues/on-the-nose dialogue, and the pursuit by Will Ferrell's character went nowhere. I'd rather have seen Barbie and Ken join forces to defeat him and the Mattel cartel. Thought it was fun visually, and happy to see a women-centric blockbuster succeed, but not a fan.
I actually like Gosling as a dramatic actor. Half-Nelson remains one of my favourite performances from a modern actor ever. And he was very good in Drive as well, although that's more of an action role I guess.
Half Nelson is an absurdly underrated film
Yes! Half Nelson is fantastic
The Critical Drinker is a must watch after this review. I feel like you were holding back admitting what this movie really is while the Drinker does not. Still enjoy your reviews and your ability to explain your feelings in such detail.
He said to do absolutely anything other than take your kids to see this movie.
Great review as always. What's with such hate in the comments? Not just about the film but about your review wtf ❤
meh...comes with the territory.
Haven't seen it, but kind of see your point. Movies that emphasize concepts over character (when they are real characters, not just weird, as some movies confuse) tend to be this way. What did you think of Nomadland? It surprised me by doing the exact opposite.
Pretty sure she reviewed it
I've seriously had enough of hollywood misandry.
It's always a treat when the algorithm randomly sends me to someone I've never heard of, who knows how to speak about something with nuance. Something sorely lacking in today's world. Thanks for the review, and although I'm not the target audience either, I'll put this movie on my radar for later, because I've heard so many great things about Gosling's performance. (btw, this is probably temporary, but if you Google his name right now, you'll be amused what shows up.)
Google is not a verb.
You have a beautiful voice, will you be doing a album of the essential lounge type songs? It would be great I’m sure! Seriously! Thanks M!
Gosling's comedy chops must be exploited. Apart from 'The Nice Guys', he hasn't really done straight-up comedy. It's not a profitable genre right now, but hopefully things change.