Barbie Review By A Gen Z Indian Man: Cliché Plot & Too Much Pink

The Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling film uses the age-old concept of two worlds viz. Barbie World and the Real World exist in two different planes where neither is much aware that the other also exists

New Delhi: The live-action 'Barbie' movie is an attempt to not spend much capital on scriptwriting and yet knowing that the fans will come to its rescue. The Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling film directed by Greta Gerwig uses the age-old concept of two worlds viz. Barbie World and the Real World exist in two different planes where neither is much aware that the other also exists. And, then those worlds need saving.

The ‘Barbara’ Barbie (played by Margot) from the Barbie World starts noticing very ‘imperfect’ or ‘non-Pink Unicorn world’ things, such as her suddenly having flat feet to some cellulite reflecting on her thighs. By the way, did you know that it’s a sin for a Barbie to have flat feet? Well, this movie clearly says so because when she talked to other Barbies then they told her that she is ‘Malfunctioning’.

Meanwhile, all the other Barbies appear to be extremely cheerful and optimistic even in the morning as they have to uphold the trait of a woman who always has to be happy and extremely polite.

This little Miss Perfect now decides to embark on a journey to the real world to get back to being ‘Normal’ again. Fun fact, just to add a layer of gender differences, the plot decides that Ken will also be accompanying Barbie on her journey.

Upon reaching the real world she experiences stark contrast to her world. In the real world, men appear to be in charge or as Ken terms it, ‘Men rule the world here’. This was exactly the opposite in the Barbie world as the women there were Senators, Lawyers, Doctors and whatnot and men were just existing to keep them entertained when they would get bored. Cherry on the top? She gets called a ‘Bimbo’ by a human in the real world.

Barbie gets a reality check there and discovers there that rather than making the lives of humans better, she has only given them unrealistic beauty standards due to which girls are suffering.

She returns to the Barbie world along with two humans but, now her dream world was turned into ‘Kendom’ as Ken brought some tricks from the real world into the ‘Pink Unicorn world’ and established a patriarchy there.

Upon seeing this change in her dream world, Barbara gives up and lies down on the ground hopelessly. Behold the role reversal as now the humans miraculously save Barbie but, before we get there, let us first talk about how things were in ‘Kendom’.

Men were living carelessly while the women viz. Barbies loved not having to make any decisions and just living as some ‘decoration pieces’.

In 'Kendom' ( pun phrase 'for 'Kingdom') women were existing just to keep men entertained. Men in this new world very quickly learn to not show their emotions and know that crying in front of anyone else, especially a girl is viewed as a weakness. Later, the tables are turned with the help of humans and Barbies are back in the game as leaders.

This weird power tussle exists in 'Barbie' between the two sexes satirically represents what happens in the real world as well.

While, we think that men rule the world and women are catching up, and that may be true to a great extent, in the process of catching up, women are putting men down to where they once were. And, perhaps, 'Man-ism' will also become a radical movement in the near future.

The power tussle that as portrayed in the movie will never end, even in the real world, if actual solutions are not pondered upon to bridge the gap between both sexes, the battle between the opposite sexes will go on and on.

Music In The Movie 

The background score and songs that were in the movie were upbeat and something that you might find yourself grooving to. The beats were flowing smoothly leading to some of the audience members following it by tapping their feet on the ground. Some were shaking and moving their heads in sync with that.

Performances In Barbie

It would be safe to say that the actors understood their roles well and played their parts decently. The male Barbies or the Kens (Including Ryan Gosling) at the beginning of the movies had to appear or behave in a feminine way rather than a masculine manner. Somehow, that continued till the end of the movie.

Margot Robbie nailed her part of playing the ‘Goody two shows' in the beginning and then evolving as she walked her journey.

However, the script did overboard the actors with more than was required.

Conclusion

If you’re a fan of plots and stories then there are high chances that you might not like the movie as the plot is very basic which would make you say ‘expected’ at probably every attempt of a plot twist. Also, don't worry if you haven't watched any other Barbie movies yet as there isn't much of a backstory that you will need to understand this movie.

However, if you love Barbie then you might end up enjoying it. While I would suggest to wait for Barbie's OTT release, it is your call to watch the Greta Gerwig film in theatres.