Barbie: Girlhood Redfined

While I stuck to playing with Bratz and American Girl dolls, I was very intrigued when I saw the first Barbie movie trailer because I did love the animated Barbie movies growing up.

I was not disappointed.

Barbie is the silly spectacle with a strong heart that will redefine girlhood and womanhood. The idea that women can be anything because Barbie could be anything. But how does being anything fit into the patriarchal society?

While Barbie doesn’t answer that question, it unearths the mess of being human in a kind way. Feeling is beautiful and seeing other people feel as well is so beautiful too.

While Margot Robbie gives an amazing performance, my favourite Barbies have to be Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Alexandra Shipp. In that order. They may not be the stereotypical Barbie but the roles they play have so much depth to Barbieland.

Barbie focused on girlhood, I do appreciate the storyline they gave Ryan Gosling’s Ken. Finding out who he should be without Barbie. Was it a little disheartening when he brought the patriarchy to Barbieland? Yes. But was it necessary? Also yes. Exposing Ken to worldly ideas made him realize that he’s just Ken. All the Kens don’t have jobs. While Barbies have and are everything, they’re just Ken.

The movie is also visually stunning and the soundtrack being so fun with multiple disco tracks. 

Although The Barbie Movie tackles the system of oppression that affects women it doesn’t do it too heavily. It keeps you laughing. Right until the end which feels like a sucker punch to the heart where Barbie makes her final decision.

Barbie is an idea that lives forever but just like Robbie’s Barbie thought ideating and meaning making are so much more impactful.

I get to define what womanhood means to me and thank my girlhood for getting me here and I’m so glad I have a movie like Barbie to help guide me through the mess that is the Real World.