On July 21, 2023 the highly anticipated Barbie movie was released. Months in advance I had already decided my attendance would be required. As soon as the movie was released I found my way to the theater bouncing with excitement. After the movie my head was brimming with thoughts, ideas, comments, and critiques. To start, aspects of the movie were extremely relatable and funny. I felt that it addressed parts of being a girl that often aren’t addressed. Far too often our society pushes this idea that girls are supposed to be extraordinary, whether in sports, school, or other pursuits. In the Barbie movie, Margot Robbie (who plays Stereotypical Barbie), shows herself not feeling good enough because she isn’t the president, a nobel prize winner, or an olympic athlete. So much of the time, things that the majority of girls like are called stereotypical, basic, and cliche. Even though these things may bring girls joy, excitement, and passion, we are pushed down and called “stereotypical”. This leaves this idea that we are not extraordinary and just copies of one another. Following this scene, actress America Ferrera goes on to give a speech about how no matter what you do as a girl you are never good enough. This pushes directly to the point that you don’t need to excel in one thing to be special or good enough. You can like “stereotypical girl things” and still be remarkable and passionate. It is absurd that to feel good enough you have to be a genius or a gold medalist. I am impressed and overjoyed to see something in our entertainment industry address this with such precision.

My largest critique for the movie would have to be the reinstating of the original constitution. I think that instead, in the end the Kens and Barbies should have worked together to form a new constitution that made both parties feel respected and represented. Part of the movie was that prior to the patriarchy the kens felt how women feel everyday. That was part of the storyline to show men how it feels to be a woman in our society. By reinstating the old constitution they were simply just going back to the way things were, when Kens didn’t feel good enough or respected. So much of the world has this idea that feminism is an anti-man and a pro only woman ruling movement. That couldn’t be more false. Feminism is just wanting gender equality, to have both men and women at the decision making table. By reinstating the old constitution they continue to push this false idea of feminism. If they had created a new constitution together it would have represented a societal change for good to help those who aren’t seen within our communities. This way not only women or not only men are represented within their constitution but this way both parties are fairly seen within their legal system.

A small aspect of the movie I think many look past is the fact that America Ferrera’s character who is a mom is also a feminist role model and helps save Barbie world from the patriarchy. So much of our society has this ticking time bomb on women’s age. Not only that, but women once they become mothers are just supposed to accept that as their only way of identification. You can be a mom and be a Barbie world hero. I am glad that while it wasn’t a large plot point in the movie it was a subtle undertone for the audience to pick up on subconsciously.

While the movie was over two hours long, part of me wishes it had been longer. I wanted to see Barbie dealing with the patriarchy in the real world while also discovering feminism. Most of all though I wanted to see Ken discover himself without the patriarchy and also supporting women’s rights. There is this false idea that to be a “man” you can’t support feminism. I wish they would have shown Ken liking typical “manly” things whilst also supporting feminism to show that you can be a “man” and still be a feminist.

Obviously there is always more to support and critique, but I can honestly say I loved the movie. I have now seen it twice and can’t wait to see it for a third time. Everything in me wants to critique every line of the movie to support and change certain ideas but at the end of the day this movie pushes feminism one step closer to being accepted within our world.