@boodger: Barbie is not my favorite movie of the year, but I respect it for what it does.
What really astounds me is just how many people flat out misunderstood the point of the film, on both sides of the spectrum.
If you thought Barbie was "man hating", I'm sorry but you are wrong.
If you thought Barbie was about "girls rule, **** men", I'm sorry but you are also wrong.
1. The first 5 minutes tell you all you needed to know: Barbie is a social commentary gender swap film, men being dominant in the real world and Barbie being dominant in the Barbie world. Because Barbie was dominant in her own world, it did not suddenly justify gender dominance because women are at the helm. The movie in fact, portrayed Barbie as antagonistic, and their biggest character growth was coming to terms that sidelining Ken was wrong and they will work better to include Ken in their legislations.
2. It critiqued both men and women. A lot of people claiming it was anti-male seem to have fallen asleep during the moments the movie also critiqued women. The movie really took the time to give suggestion how men AND women can do better and work together. Didn't really give the vibe that it was anti man or woman, it gave a greater level of optimism how to improve our own understandings of one another.
3. The "**** the patriarchy" speech, never once suggested replacing a patriarchy with a matriarchy. It just said screw these gender dominant societies. Let's break down these walls and do better working together.
I dunno. Barbie was interesting, cool set designs and a great ensemble cast. I wouldn't personally consider it the best movie of the year, but hearing people's takes of the film really gets me to consider how many people straight up didn't watch it and are parroting what some Youtubers complain about, or they straight up did not get the film.
Pretty fascinating social study that has swept into the real world. Definitely served as an interesting litmus test over one's critical thinking skills, on a mass scale.
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