Barbie-licious!

Where confidence runs rampant until...

By Janelle Lee Austin

September 7, 2024

When Barbie hit theaters in July 2023, I knew I had to take my daughter to see it—a mother-daughter bonding over an iconic childhood toy turned into a blockbuster movie. But let’s just say, I wasn’t totally prepared for the infamous "beach off" scene between the Kens. As I sat there cringing, I thought, "Oh no, this is going to be that kind of movie." Luckily, like the best jokes on Family Guy, that moment went straight over my daughter’s head. We both ended up loving it but for totally different reasons.

Margot Robbie’s Barbie is living the dream—she’s surrounded by other Barbies who all thrive in the world they run. Confidence is in no short supply, except for the Kens, constantly vying for Barbie’s attention. Things start to shift when Barbie has a sudden existential crisis, wondering aloud if anyone ever thinks about… dying. It’s like Eve taking a bite of the forbidden fruit because from there, Barbie’s entire arc becomes a deep dive into self-discovery that takes us on a journey through reality, entertaining kids and adults.

Watching it again tonight, I appreciated Barbie on a whole new level. The writing—courtesy of Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach—is outstanding, turning a childhood icon into an exploration of the challenges women face every day. Plus, the film’s visual design is stunning. The vibrant color palette of Barbieland pops off the screen, and the wardrobe choices make Barbie and Ken seem like a color wheel in the “real world.”

Speaking of the real world, things get interesting when Barbie and Ken realize that the power dynamics are flipped there. Men are in control, and Barbie finds herself dealing with all the issues that come with being amongst real humans: heartbreak, loss, aging, and self-doubt. She ends up teaming up with Gloria (America Ferrera) and her daughter Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt) to take back Barbieland from Ken, who’s gone full alpha-male, creating a mess of what was Barbie perfection.

The most touching part of Barbie has to be the ending, with Barbie's creator, Ruth (played perfectly by Rhea Perlman), stepping in at just the right moment to give her a heartfelt talk about embracing who we are, flaws and all. The video montage of real life gave this fantasy world authenticity, showing the good and the bad, the joy and struggle of women everywhere. It got me right in the heart. Well, that particular moment and America Ferrera's impactful speech that made me feel compelled to stand up and applaud when I first watched it in the theater.

Overall, Barbie is the ultimate celebration of all women, our complexities, and everything we go through living in this world. Greta Gerwig is the G.O.A.T. of writing and directing and has brilliance in bringing her scripts to life. I give Barbie ten manicured pink nails up...with a few chips, of course.