Tell Me About the Barbie Movie?

Sarah: I have a truly hellacious cold so I cannot go to the movies this weekend. (I sound so bad that someone thanked me for wearing a mask when they heard my voice. It’s gruesome.)

However, I am SO CURIOUS about the Barbie movie!

Seeing pictures of so many people dressed up to go see this film has been a freaking delight.

But Amanda got to see if opening weekend, as did many, many other people (YAY) so I asked Amanda very politely if she’d tell me everything.

So: how was it?! And, important follow up: was it worth going on opening weekend?

Amanda: Yes, hi, hello! I am your woman on the ground for your Barbie needs.

Sarah: Would you say you are a…Barbie girl?

Amanda: In a Barbie world. For sure.

For the most part, I really liked it and would rate it 4 out of 5 stars if we’re playing Siskel & Ebert. Or were those thumbs? It’s been so long.

I went on Friday and the theater was pretty packed. I did my nails especially for the occasion.

Having a full theater was something I hadn’t experienced since the pandemic, as most of my movie outings have been off times, after opening weeks, or just for small indie movies.

I’d say the experience, for me, was cathartic. While I audibly snorted with laughter at parts

There were also moments when I could not get the tears to stop. I think it’s one of those movies that I’ve rarely found in my own film-watching experience that states so openly and plainly the ways in which women are held to impossible standards. There are no metaphors here. It’s vocalized pretty loudly.

Sarah: Seeing the marketing tie-in campaigns (including Google’s) and my gosh EVEN a FABRIC line (of course fabric lines) and shoes and rugs…I’m into it. Usually when there’s total saturation marketing I get tired of whatever is being advertised, but not here. Oh, my goodness. It’s fun watching people have fun and marking being clever. Did the marketing make an impression on you?

Amanda: I’ll admit, I’m not a big Greta Gerwig fan. When it was announced that she was directing, I was very curious at what type of Barbie movie we’d get. The trailers and sneak peeks definitely provided a clear sense of what I was getting.

I also did buy a shirt from one of my favorite cinephile brands. A cutesy design with a dose of existential dread is my vibe.

Sarah: Were people dressed up at your screening?

Amanda: Yes! Groups of people were dressed up in all sorts of pink or Barbie themed attire. Many people were taking photos and selfies in the lobby afterward. I think everyone who attended my screening had a great time (except for that one person who had an alarm keep going off…SILENCE YOUR PHONES PEOPLE).

Sarah: I’ve been reading what people are saying after they see the movie and WOW that has also made me extremely excited. I have seen discussions that talk about how it is a critique of heteronormativity and of societal rules that don’t fit people and in some ways a critique of gendered expectations and of gender itself. Do you agree?

Amanda: Yes, I would. The movie is one big commentary on how the patriarchy hurts everyone.

My biggest critique is that the intersectional messaging wasn’t as overt as it was for cis women. Yes, they had a transwoman play Doctor Barbie and the Kens eventually learn that the alpha male stereotype stifles their emotional expression. However, there is still a focus on genitalia and motherhood during some scenes. I also recognize a two-hour movie can only do so much and Mattel also has a say in what’s depicted and communicated. One piece of media can’t do everything.

Still an enjoyable experience overall and a B+ from me! And yes, Ken’s climactic musical number is already available on Spotify.

Sarah: One last question: which Barbie are you? Or were you several different Barbies?

Amanda: I loved Weird Barbie and also Allan, so maybe a mix of those two. No shade to the other Barbies but being say President Barbie or Journalist Barbie seems exhausting.

What about you?

I would love to know what you think of the Barbie movie (see below for instructions on how to hide spoilers)! Have you seen all these pictures of people dressed up, including as different eras of Barbie? Oooh ooh – did you dress up? What did you think? 

Important: instructions for spoiler tags in the comments!

Frame your Spoilery Words between these two tags, lower case, Minus the Asterisks:

[*spoiler*] Spoilers Go Here! [*/spoiler*]

That will hide your words with a click-to-drop-down option to read. Thank you for your time and attention to making sure everyone has a good time with as much or as little spoiler info as they want!