The Barbie movie was a huge success in theaters, partially because it was the first time people went in droves to the theaters since the beginning of COVID-19, seeing that it was a huge cultural experience. Getting dressed up and going out with all of your friends and seeing two insanely hyped up ‘cinematic masterpieces’, Barbie and Oppenheimer, back to back, was the highlight of the summer for some. Then viewers posted about how great they were on social media. This garnered support from many, exciting others to go see Barbie too. 

Throughout the film, the colorful and ambitious composition is exactly how you would imagine Barbie Land would be. The saturation made Barbie and Ken overwhelmingly stand out when they entered the real world. Gerwig emphasizes the gender expectations placed on women by showcasing Barbie’s struggle when she becomes human. Barbie is met with objectification right off the bat, an existential crisis, and an emotional breakdown. Meanwhile, Ken is enjoying his time and gathering ideas to establish the patriarchy in Barbie Land after seeing the power men had in the world. The casting for the actors was an excellent choice as well, providing accurate representation for trans, disabled, plus size, and people of color. 

Even though Gerwig did a good job executing stylistic choices and adding important social commentary, it was just too long and packed full of references which makes it harder to fully grasp onto. You could definitely tell the movie was marketed to younger audiences as well, as they were trying too hard to include “hip” trends and phrases which made the movie seem a little out of touch.  I also couldn’t help to notice the MANY obvious advertisements for brands and artists, which almost made the movie insufferable to watch. Although I was slightly disappointed Barbie wasn’t the cinematic masterpiece it was made out to be, I was compelled by its emotional and sentimental values. I believe this film plays a pivotal role for the next generation by addressing many important topics like women’s struggle with the patriarchy, while still carrying a lighthearted and witty tone that Greta Gerwig perfectly mastered.