Did the New Barbie Movie Stray from Its Feminist Roots?
For years, Barbie has been celebrated as a feminist icon, warehousing and embodying dreams of empowerment and equality. However, the recent live-action adaptation of the Barbie franchise has raised a slew of questions about its commitment to these values. Let’s compare the latest Barbie movie to its animated predecessors to see if it has truly strayed from its path.
What's in Store for Barbie Fans?
If you think the debate around the new Barbie movie is heated, brace yourself. This piece is not for the faint of heart—it delves deep into nuances and critiques that might come across as scorching hot takes. Think of it as a scalpel dissecting the layers of this cinematic doll.
Enter the Perfect P Pink Barbie Land
Step into the vivid world of Perfect P Pink, a utopian realm tailored for Barbie dolls. Dolls live in a constant state of bliss, with each one claiming a position of power—and rightly so. But this bubble soon bursts when it becomes evident that the so-called power dynamics are skewed. The male dolls, or Kens, exist solely to be the object of Barbie’s affection, mirroring a condescending narrative that reduces them to mere tokens of her whims.
The assumption that by fortifying Barbie’s world, women will become more powerful in the real world is misplaced. It fails to address the actual issues of patriarchal structures and the need for collective action to dismantle them. Instead, the movie seems to perpetuate a narrow and unrealistic depiction of power.
The Real World Reveals More Pain Than Paradise
When Barbie ventures into the real world, the stark contrast is glaringly clear. Men are painted asListOfMen as a facade, constantly coveting and behaving in ways that are infantilizing and objectifying. This portrayal of men as ogling and deprived perverts is an overgeneralization that does not accurately represent the vast majority of men.
Ken, in his journey through this mess, learns a “new” form of patriarchy, where boyish behavior is equated with patriarchal attitudes. It posits that any interest in traditionally male-dominated fields—such as playing the guitar or discussing government bonds—are inherently patriarchal. This is a worrying trend that can leave young girls with a skewed understanding of what constitutes masculinity and femininity.
Armed with Sarcasm and a New Constitution
Barbie and her friends, including a motley crew of Barbies, embark on a mission to save the day. Their solution? Lobby the Ken dolls into a life of seduction and jealousy, leading them to question their allegiances. The culmination of this storyline is a dance-off tantamount to a Beyoncé performance, complete with nipple pinching, which they use to take over the Parliament.
This approach raises questions about the effectiveness and ethics of such a strategy. It’s a flawed narrative that dichotomizes genders and perpetuates the idea that the solution to patriarchy lies in an impossible quest for male jealousy and female domination.
Deviating from Classic Feminism
Conspicuous by its absence is any mention of masculinities or the role of fathers. The narrative focuses heavily on the loss and transfer of maternal authority, leaving the father figure obscurely present as a malevolent force. This selective focus on maternal loss and the absence of a father figure in the real world highlights a missed opportunity to present a balanced and nuanced view of gender dynamics.
The impact of this movie on young girls is profound. By portraying anything boyish as patriarchal, it risks instilling a dangerous and inaccurate view of gender roles. This is not the kind of feminism that dismantles patriarchy but rather one that perpetuates it in a more covert form.
The Political Correctness Revolt?
The last straw for critics is when Barbie, after transforming into a human, opts for a gender surgery. This decision not only reinforces traditional beauty standards but also sends a disconcerting message about the value of physical appearance.
The disappointment of the movie is further compounded by a lack of sophistication in its storytelling. Despite the star power of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the narrative fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion. The focus on wokeness often veers towards overcorrection, which can be as insidious as the issues it seeks to address.
The Cinema War
It’s a testament to the power of the movie industry that a film with such a divisive reception was released on the same day as Christopher Nolan’s movie, thereby saving cinemas from potential profitability blows. However, the question remains: Is the new Barbie movie setting a precedent for other live-action adaptations?
Ultimately, the bar for what constitutes a meaningful and impactful adaptation of any beloved franchise has shifted. The new Barbie movie, with its misguided narrative and superficial attempts at inclusivity, has fallen short. Parents and caregivers should approach it with caution, and perhaps seek more nuanced and empowering alternatives for their children.