It’s not up for debate, “Barbie” has solidified its status as the movie of the summer.
The film is Warner Bros.’ latest masterpiece and has shattered records, claiming the title of the highest-grossing movie ever worldwide. However, let’s not focus on just the numbers. “Barbie” is a great film. For years, you would hear that comedy is dead, no one makes blockbuster comedies anymore. Well, the curse is over. The blockbuster comedy is back. It’s plastic, it’s fantastic.
At its core, “Barbie” is the billion-dollar movie that actress Margot Robbie promised it would be. The film’s director, Greta Gerwig, joins the ranks of cinematic legends as the highest-grossing female director in history.
Along with the film’s box office performance, women have taken the reigns of this summer’s various blow out successes. Concert tours from singers Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have reached the famed billion-dollar mark as well. A summer of retrogrades has brought personal transformation to the forefront and that’s what the film “Barbie” is all about.
“Barbie” is a success because it’s a movie with a message for everyone. You have the power to be who you desire to be.
Margot Robbie’s Barbie – Stereotypical Barbie – lives the dream life in her dream house and has the “best day ever” every day. Her lifestyle allows her to avoid having intimate time with her Ken, played by Ryan Gosling.
This is the crux of the dilemma between the two. Barbie barely knows herself, but she does know that she doesn’t like Ken in “that way.” Ken needs Barbie to feel any kind of self-worth. We have all been there, we are all human! And some of us love that kind of s*** (yeah, I’m cussing now).
Then, our Barbie starts having thoughts of the dreaded D-word, Death. This causes her to go on a journey of self-discovery with plenty of laughs and useless men in suits.
And yes, Ken is there too, but on his own journey. Barbie is finding out who she wants to be, not what others tell her to be. While Ken is learning he’s not who he dates or what his job is, which is referred to as simply “Beach.”
Sure, Barbie and Ken look perfect together, but that doesn’t mean love is in the air.
The issues both Barbie and Ken go through are modern problems we face in real life. Many of us don’t know who we are and simply base our life off hobbies, jobs or relationships. We never take the time to figure out what we want from life.
Instead, we focus on what our peers or family desire for us. Many of Barbie’s friends make remarks about how perfect Ken is. She doesn’t like him, but it’s clear she is still in the relationship.
That’s where free will comes in. It does not matter what others say. You should make the decisions that are best for you because no one else will.
A film about a plastic doll tells one of the most human stories of the summer. If you have yet to see the film, the Kenworthy Theatre here in Moscow will showcase “Barbie” from Sept. 1 to Sept. 4.
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness one of the season’s greatest stories on the big screen.