“Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, was anything but predictable. Many people expected the movie to be a lighthearted, comedic film to watch with your friends, but it seems to have much more weight than that. With themes like girlhood, feminism and finding yourself, the “Barbie” movie united women all over the world.
The widely anticipated movie generated an impressive $162 million in its first three days in theaters. This record-breaking turnout is likely due to the surprising nature of the movie, along with the talented cast and skillful marketing. The movie also started a trend in fashion, with people all around the world showing up to the theater in pink. With fashion playing a large role in the movie and the dolls’ history, it’s only fitting that so many people are dressing up to watch it. Students at RM have embraced wearing the color pink, a trend that some have noticed since the first day of school this year.
“Barbie” took an unexpected deep dive into the female experience, growing up, and friendship. From the soundtrack to the cinematography, the film captured these aspects perfectly. The movie follows “stereotypical” Barbie, the blonde doll that was first created in 1959, on an adventure from “Barbieland” to the real world.
As the movie progresses, it becomes clear that the real world does not live up to Barbie’s expectations. Living in Barbieland all her life, Barbie is shocked to learn the truth of the real world. Upon entering the natural world, she is harassed by men and publicly yelled at by a teenage girl for being the opposite of the ideal role model. Having experienced life outside of Barbieland, Barbie is determined to make the real world a place where women are respected just as men are.
We follow Barbie through her journey to improve the real world, and along the way learn valuable life lessons. Whether these lessons are about growing up or having confidence in yourself, “Barbie” definitely touches on the many aspects of girlhood and the expectations placed on young girls. The movie ends with Barbie deciding she would like to become a human and trade perfection for reality, which is a rewarding ending to the film. “Barbie” touches on the struggles women in society face today and emphasizes how women need to be resilient and stand up for what they believe in.
Featuring artists like Dua Lipa, Lizzo and Ice Spice, the soundtrack to “Barbie” definitely aided the movie’s success. Several songs on the soundtrack quickly became trending on social media. Songs like “Dance the Night,” by Dua Lipa and “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish rose to prominence on TikTok. “Barbie World,” by Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj gained quick popularity as the song reimagined the original song, “Barbie Girl,” by Aqua.
From its production to the artists, the movie’s soundtrack brought a certain energy and emotion to the screen that the film would have otherwise lacked. The featured songs paint a clear picture of the messages the movie strives to convey, as well as add a meaningful intensity to the screen.
While many expected “Barbie” to be another predictable comedy, director Greta Gerwig created something entirely different. Gerwig directed a movie that empowered and united women all over the world. From the fashion to the cinematography, “Barbie” definitely exceeded expectations. The cast was perfectly chosen and the soundtrack was beautifully curated.
From her ability to convey such raw emotion throughout the entire movie to her iconic wardrobe, Margot Robbie’s performance and portrayal enhanced the movie’s spark. Overall, the movie shines a light on the struggles of being a woman in today’s society and how to overcome those struggles to find yourself.
