why i hated the barbie movie

the barbie movie was very popular last year, so when my friend told me she didn't like it, i was shocked. after i watched the film earlier this year, i kinda saw why she felt that way. 

it's supposed to be a film on feminism and female empowerment, a common theme for greta gerwig films, and i think using barbie for this idea was an incredible premise. however, it was just badly written and there was no "happy ending", "bad ending" or any ending whatsoever. the transport from barbie land to the real world was sloppy, and didn't make sense.  i didn't like a lot of the setting changes, being mystically transported to some abyss makes sense for us as viewers but not in terms of the actual plot. 

barbieland is intended to be a parallel of the real world, the 'matriarchy' running everything in contrast to the patriarchy we're faced with here. however, barbieland is seen as perfect and fixed by the end of the film when the barbies are back in power and the kens are allowed like two more rights. but since this is a parallel, is this.. what the real world should be like with men ? or should women be in charge ?? shouldn't the happy ending be equality between genders and their role in society, the whole point of feminism ? LITERALLY NOTHING CHANGED BY THE END OF IT !!! the whole POINT of a movie is to learn something, for change, a climax and a resolution. but all i learnt was "okay kens shouldn't be in charge". that's fair, but when the barbies were in charge at the beginning, the kens felt oppressed. they didn't have space to express themselves, their lives revolving around the barbies, again a parallel of the real world. but when the resolution is just getting rid of one issue WITH ANOTHER ISSUE, i just didn't like it. surely the resolution should've been "yeah okay.. one gender being in charge isn't gonna work out and we should all have equal opportunities". this also further pushes the idea that barbies are for girls. like yeah the brand was originally targeted at girls, and still is, but hey boys can play with barbies too !!!!

i didn't feel empowered by the fact that the men were just really dumb throughout the whole film either. it was pretty ridiculous,, i mean yeah in the movies and shows ken is a little dumb but they were all braindead ( again since this is a parallel of the real world what is that trying to say about women ). also, there was a lot of diversity between the barbies, with disabled barbie, plus sized barbie, trans barbie and barbies of different races which i found really promising and i'm sure that resonated with a lot of people,, BUT WHY DIDN'T THE KENS GET THE SAME TREATMENT ?? i know the movie's targeted at women but come on.

mainly, the barbie movie was a cash grab. maybe it wasn't intended to be that way, but the whole trend of it all really hyped it as a film that would be accessible to all women. but it wasn't. most of the characters were just there because "yay cool actor", there's nothing wrong with that i just didn't find it interesting.

yes, greta gerwig was ambitious and got a lot of funding and praise for the film, which are all incredible achievements, but they're not the same as directing a good movie. however, i did like the colours and cinematography, and the premise was good, but overall, i kinda hated it. what did you think of the barbie movie ?? i'd love to hear your thoughts !!!!! 

peace and love, beau X333