Barbie: More Than Just Plastic and Smiles

A Doll With More Brains and Heart Than You'd Expect
January 15, 2024 by
Barbie: More Than Just Plastic and Smiles
homoerectus, Alessandro Liggieri

Barbie's not just a pretty face, folks. This flick turns a doll into an icon of style, social critique, and fun. It's not just a pink world, but an amazing journey that'll make you laugh and think.

Data Sheet

  • Director: Greta Gerwig, the artist who made dolls cool
  • Genre: Comedy with a dash of drama
  • Runtime: 110 minutes of pure pink magic
  • Year: 2023, the year Barbie took the reins
  • Based on: The famous Mattel doll, but who's surprised?
  • Cast: Margot Robbie (Barbie 1.0), Ryan Gosling (Ken, obviously), and a parade of Barbies and Kens straight out of an alternative fashion show
  • Where to Watch: Prime Video

Plot

In a universe where pink isn't just a color but a lifestyle, Barbie, the world's most famous doll, finds herself in an existential crisis after discovering that, surprise surprise, life isn't just parties and shopping. The film opens with Barbie in a moment of deep reflection in front of her closet full of glittering clothes, realizing there's more to life than being "perfect."

Our plastic heroine embarks on a journey of self-discovery, meeting a cast of colorful and quirky characters, including various Kens more confused about their identity than she is. Between moments of pure comedy – like Barbie trying to do "normal" jobs with disastrous results – and deep reflections on society and identity, the film takes us on a unique adventure.

Barbie navigates absurd situations, from joining a doll protest for synthetic rights to an unexpected career as a philosophy influencer. Along the way, she discovers that true beauty lies in being yourself, flaws and all.

The climax unfolds in an epic scene where Barbie, having realized perfection doesn't exist, reveals her most authentic self to the world – imperfect but happy. With an ending that celebrates self-acceptance and the importance of diversity, "Barbie" turns out to be a sarcastic comedy and a touching journey into the human psyche.

Review

"Barbie," in its cinematic glory, is like an exotic cocktail in a trendy bar: colorful, unexpected, and with a taste that leaves you surprised and a bit confused. Greta Gerwig's direction is a stroke of genius, turning a plastic icon into a flesh-and... well, plastic protagonist.

The plot pulls you into a whirlwind of pink and sequins, where reality clashes with the surreal. Picture Barbie fighting stereotypes while doing yoga on the beach, and you've only tasted a bit of this visual delirium. The cinematography is so vivid you'd almost expect to leave the theater with pink-tinted eyes. And the costumes? A burst of creativity that would even make Lady Gaga's wardrobe blush.

The film strikes a perfect balance between a high-end music video and modern art. Each scene is a canvas where Gerwig paints with a brush dipped in humor and social satire. And if this movie were a book, it'd be one of those you can't put down, even if it's 3 AM and you have work the next day.

True to the original? Well, considering the "book" is actually a doll, I'd say they did a pretty good job staying true to the original. And the rating? Let's give Barbie a solid 9/10. Why not a 10? Because no movie should be this pink.

Why I Recommend It

Barbie isn't just a kids' movie. It's a journey into the complexity of human emotions, a critical analysis of modern society through the eyes of a doll.

Why I Don't

If you're looking for a superficial movie without depth, Barbie might not be your cup of tea. This film tackles deep themes in a unique way.


Barbie: More Than Just Plastic and Smiles
homoerectus, Alessandro Liggieri January 15, 2024

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