Went to see Barbie last night…

NotAnotherMojito · 2023-07-24T06:36:30+00:00

Loved the costumes and some simple laughs… But generally, I thought the film was a bit dark and not quite what it seems. The feminist agenda, patriarchy, Ken’s long way to empowerment were the obvious points but I have also felt that the underlying message was that we are all a bit fed up with girl power and some of us just “want to be”. Same for men - some are happy not to be masters of this world and tired of masculinity expectations. They do not know what they want anymore and they are holding on to the idea of patriarchy like a comfort blanket. Not sure I have worded this very well early in the day but somehow instead of reinforcing feminist agenda, the film has left me confused. Is it ok not to aspire to be anything special (or only if you look like Stereotypical Barbie)?

KleineDracheKokosnuss · 24/07/2023 07:53

I was planning on seeing it - because I wanted a happy fun movie. But given all the reviews (from the various internet people rather than the paid shills) I’m now planning to give it a miss. I loved my Barbies and I don’t want to ruin the memories.

DinnaeFashYersel · 24/07/2023 07:55

I haven't seen it but my 11 year old thought it as hilarious and wants to go again. So I might go with her this time

Hellostrawberries · 24/07/2023 07:57

First of all, you've given away the key 'surprise element' of the film so I think you should put a spoiler alert in your thread title. I actually loved that message. To me it was about true equality rather than feminism. Women understanding men and men understanding women. And how can you argue against the notion of being who you want to be?

Daisydu · 24/07/2023 07:57

Taking 2 of my daughters to see it this week, I’m looking forward to it, the reviews on it are interesting. I’m sure the kids will just see it as a fun move too though!

Wheresmyrobe · 24/07/2023 08:01

I thought it would be like that. Was waiting for the first week to pass to see some actual reviews of it and not just people who would praise it regardless.

onefinemess · 24/07/2023 08:05

I think you need to move on from this idea of patriarchy, it's not something that exists in today's world, not sure if it ever did. I mean, how dare those bastard men go out to work keeping the sewers clean, and how dare they not let any women work down there. And the men who refuse to let us go out and dig the ditches on the roadside, and fill all the potholes, not to mention that every single one of them are rich, powerful, have influence, one of them have to work in minimum wage jobs, none of them are unemployed or homeless. Misogynistic bastards, each and every single one.

As I said, the patriarchy just doesn't exist.

However, we have fucked over an entire generation of kids and we will have to deal with the damage.

We told them they were the most important people in the room, that they could be anything they wanted to be and if they didn't "achieve" their God like status, it was someone else's fault, not theirs. All they had to do was participate, christ! we even gave them medals for it!

Everybody can't be rich and famous and live in mansions and drive supercars. If they were, we wouldn't know who was famous, and there wouldn't be anyone doing "ordinary" jobs to supply the glitterati with their mansions or cars. You can't buy something if nobody is making it, no factory workers, no supercars.

I think being "ordinary" is normal, it's healthy, but telling children that it's not OK to just be OK is what's causing all the problems.

That movie was awful.

throwbacko2 · 24/07/2023 08:06

Hellostrawberries · 24/07/2023 07:57

First of all, you've given away the key 'surprise element' of the film so I think you should put a spoiler alert in your thread title. I actually loved that message. To me it was about true equality rather than feminism. Women understanding men and men understanding women. And how can you argue against the notion of being who you want to be?

Can people not take personal responsibility here?

If you see a thread entitled 'went to see Barbie last night...' you don't have to be a high flying academic to work out it may contain information about what happened, at Barbie, last night.

I understand spoiler warnings if the title isn't obvious, but here? I'm think it's up to people to exercise their commoner sense.

Lethalinformation · 24/07/2023 08:06

Spoiler alert? It's hardly a murder mystery is it

DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy · 24/07/2023 08:11

I went at the weekend and had a great time! Loved the OTT colours, the storyline, just how the whole thing hung together. And there's a particular section about 10 mins from the end that had me in tears! I think the Debbie Downers ( not on this thread) who refuse to see it because 'they don't have time to see crap films' are really missing out.

Annachristie · 24/07/2023 08:11

I haven't seen it (not going to) but can't help wondering how much Mattel paid Google to have the front page in pink font and explode with pink stars when you search for Barbie or Margot Robbie.

GroutScrubberExtraordinaire · 24/07/2023 08:12

Annachristie · 24/07/2023 08:11

I haven't seen it (not going to) but can't help wondering how much Mattel paid Google to have the front page in pink font and explode with pink stars when you search for Barbie or Margot Robbie.

Now I'm wondering how much they paid you to post that, therefore making me go off and do it

FourEyesGood · 24/07/2023 08:18

Hellostrawberries · 24/07/2023 07:57

First of all, you've given away the key 'surprise element' of the film so I think you should put a spoiler alert in your thread title. I actually loved that message. To me it was about true equality rather than feminism. Women understanding men and men understanding women. And how can you argue against the notion of being who you want to be?

“To me it was about true equality rather than feminism.”

What do you think feminism means?

DitheringBlidiot · 24/07/2023 08:19

I think anyone who had seen any of the trailers would work out it has a feminist message.

FatCatatPaddingtonStation · 24/07/2023 08:22

I went with my 12 yo son, 10 yo daughter and DW and we all thought it was hilarious. Yes there were messages re feminism and patriarchy etc which were not particularly deep or well conceived. But good intentions were there so it was enjoyable for adults too. It was colourful, a lot of fun and we all laughed so worth it for me.
I wouldn’t watch it again but it’s difficult to find a family film we all like this days, so that was great.

honeylulu · 24/07/2023 08:26

I saw it yesterday with 9 year old daughter. I didn't get at all that it was about being "fed up with girl power". The messages I got were neither a matriarchy nor a patriarchy are fair and will make everyone happy. Equality is fair. Also that is fine to be yourself, male or female, whether you're a leader, career driven, prioritise other things or want a balance. It's not stuff or other people who define you. What's not to like?

Having said that I thought the first half was fantastic, really clever and funny. I found the second half seemed to miss the mark a bit. Long hectoring speeches and repetition of the same points in various ways. If you're a feminist you already agree with all that, you don't need a lecture. If you're not a feminist or on the fence, the message needed to be shorter, sharper and wittier to hit home and make you engage with it.

But overall loved it and daughter did too.

rainbowstardrops · 24/07/2023 08:35

I haven't see it but a family member saw it at the weekend. She said she enjoyed it but she thought the feminist slant was too much and she wouldn't go to see it again.

Annachristie · 24/07/2023 08:39

Not enough!!!😂😂

Annachristie · 24/07/2023 08:39

GroutScrubberExtraordinaire · 24/07/2023 08:12

Now I'm wondering how much they paid you to post that, therefore making me go off and do it

Show quote history

Meant to quote!

Danikm151 · 24/07/2023 08:40

@Annachristie Mattel have made a killing on this film. They’re included in it too so all they’ve spent on marketing is an investment to them

LadyKenya · 24/07/2023 08:42

GroutScrubberExtraordinaire · 24/07/2023 08:12

Now I'm wondering how much they paid you to post that, therefore making me go off and do it

Show quote history

Yes, I could not resist either😄

MsNevertherefirst · 24/07/2023 08:42

FourEyesGood · 24/07/2023 08:18

“To me it was about true equality rather than feminism.”

What do you think feminism means?

Show quote history

This was my thought exactly!

wp65 · 24/07/2023 08:42

onefinemess · 24/07/2023 08:05

I think you need to move on from this idea of patriarchy, it's not something that exists in today's world, not sure if it ever did. I mean, how dare those bastard men go out to work keeping the sewers clean, and how dare they not let any women work down there. And the men who refuse to let us go out and dig the ditches on the roadside, and fill all the potholes, not to mention that every single one of them are rich, powerful, have influence, one of them have to work in minimum wage jobs, none of them are unemployed or homeless. Misogynistic bastards, each and every single one.

As I said, the patriarchy just doesn't exist.

However, we have fucked over an entire generation of kids and we will have to deal with the damage.

We told them they were the most important people in the room, that they could be anything they wanted to be and if they didn't "achieve" their God like status, it was someone else's fault, not theirs. All they had to do was participate, christ! we even gave them medals for it!

Everybody can't be rich and famous and live in mansions and drive supercars. If they were, we wouldn't know who was famous, and there wouldn't be anyone doing "ordinary" jobs to supply the glitterati with their mansions or cars. You can't buy something if nobody is making it, no factory workers, no supercars.

I think being "ordinary" is normal, it's healthy, but telling children that it's not OK to just be OK is what's causing all the problems.

That movie was awful.

I don't think you understand what people mean by 'patriarchy'.

Annachristie · 24/07/2023 08:44

Danikm151 · 24/07/2023 08:40

@Annachristie Mattel have made a killing on this film. They’re included in it too so all they’ve spent on marketing is an investment to them

I read that the film cost $145 million to produce, so I bet their advertising budget wasn't much less

Danikm151 · 24/07/2023 08:45

@Annachristie definitely. Primark has a big barbie range, candy crush, air bnb. All things that make more money!

GillianMcQueef · 24/07/2023 08:48

I think you need to move on from this idea of patriarchy, it's not something that exists in today's world

What. The. Fuck.