By Ica Hontiveros-Cheng
Honestly when I first found out that there was going to be a ‘Barbie’ movie starring Margot Robbie, I was skeptical at first. I had absolutely no idea how the story would be tackled, and who the target audience was. But lo and behold! The genius that is Greta Gerwig was able to craft a story that was really about Barbie and the real world. The movie was smart, funny, and is the kind of film that deserves multiple viewings because of the many gems that you will surely enjoy watching over and over again. This is the type of movie that has to be discussed in class for one semester!
There are so many themes to go through from feminism, the patriarchy, gender roles in society, and surprise you as an audience will even go through such a strong existential crisis.
“I would never wear heels if my feet were shaped like this.”
Watching Barbie (2023) for the first time is such a cathartic experience I didn’t expect to cry but I did, as a woman, as a mother, there were so many things in the movie that I could relate to, specifically society’s impossible expectations on women:
“You should love being a mother, but you can’t talk about your kids too much.”
America Ferrera’s monologue is so beautiful. It was so cathartic I was crying but it was also done under hilarious conditions that I was laughing too. Truly a unique ‘Barbie’ experience. Everyone should hear that monologue at least once.
Let’s Talk About Ken
Was pleasantly surprised that Ken (Ryan Gosling), -or it would be more accurate to say, the Ken to stereotypical Barbie had a bigger role to play in the story than just being, well, Ken. I did not expect that at all and was happy that they also tackled Ken’s own character and that there’s more to him than just being an arm candy to Barbie. I love this personal journey for him. #IamKenough
Prior to seeing the film, I already saw reviews that Ryan Gosling is a scene stealer-and he is! And of course, we can’t talk about Ken in the Barbie movie without talking about the musical performances in the film, admittedly, Simu Liu (who plays another version of Ken) is the better dancer but that song by the beach was so funny! I couldn’t help but just sway my hands in the air and sing along. Apologies to those who will hear this song on repeat in the next few days.
“I am a man without power, does that make me a woman?”
Let’s go back to how Greta Gerwig is a genius, it’s so impressive how they were able to translate the Barbie world in film, the “mechanics” and the physics of being a Barbie, from the dream houses to the set designs, the vehicles, the beach, the sand, the waves, just brilliant! The fact that there are no doors or stairs in Barbie land, because they are “placed” where they are supposed to be by the children who play with them. The way the ambulances work just like an actual ambulance would in Barbie land, much praise goes to the production team who worked on the movie as well.
There really is so much to love and enjoy about this film, from the surprising story, the acting, the set designs, and costumes I don’t think I’ll ever stop singing praises about it.
In our sibling group chat, my sister reminded me of this hilarious anecdote from when I was around five or six years old maybe. It was around Christmas time and we had met up with one of my parent’s friends. Said friend had a gift for me, it was a rectangular shaped box, bursting with excitement I tore at the wrapper and like all children who are honest to a fault…I said: “Ay hindi Barbie.” (Aww. It’s not Barbie.). My mom was so mortified, she wished she would be swallowed up by the earth then and there.
Who would have thought that almost thirty years later I unwrapped the box-and it was, finally Barbie! But it wasn’t a doll in a box, it was a well written, very witty, and self-aware movie not only for me to enjoy, but for a whole generation of middle aged adults going through an existential crisis, and yes, a new generation who will be introduced to this brand new world. The gift may have taken some time to get to me, but it did, and just at the right time.