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Blame Mattel… They Make The Rules

Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged America Ferrera, Ariana Greenblatt, Barbie (2023) — movie review, Barbie And Ken, Barbie Land, Beat It, Best Original Song Oscar, Best Picture Nomination, Billie Eilish, G.I. Joe, General Comments, Greta Gerwig, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Los Angeles, Margot Robbie, Mattel Corporation, Michael Jackson, Movie Reviews, Patriarchy, President Barbie, Reviews, Rhea Perlman, Ruth Handler, Ryan Gosling, Stereotypical Barbie, Strong Movie Recommendation, Weird Barbie, West Side Story, What Was I Made For?, Will Ferrell on April 28, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“Barbie” (2023) — movie review
Today’s review is for the fantasy / comedy “Barbie”, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie as “Stereotypical Barbie,” the Barbie who wakes up one day with thoughts of death, flat feet, and a sudden sense that her perfect world is cracking; Ryan Gosling as Ken, the beach‑obsessed himbo whose entire identity revolves around Barbie until he discovers “patriarchy” (LoL) in the real world; America Ferrera as Gloria, the Mattel employee whose drawings and anxieties accidentally link her to Barbie’s crisis; Ariana Greenblatt as Sasha, Gloria’s daughter, whose blunt honesty forces Barbie to confront uncomfortable truths; Will Ferrell as the Mattel CEO, a clueless corporate leader trying to shove Barbie back into her box; Kate McKinnon as “Weird Barbie,” the scribbled-on, haircut-gone-wrong outcast who knows how the universe works; Issa Rae as President Barbie; and Rhea Perlman as Ruth Handler, Barbie’s creator, who guides Barbie toward a choice about what it means to be “real.” Together, they inhabit a world that swings between bright plastic fantasy and the messy, contradictory real world.

Background: I came to this movie with a mix of curiosity and skepticism – and a very high recommendation from my older daughter. I never played with Barbies (I played with G.I. Joes), and I didn’t know what to expect from a film based on a “girl’s” toy line. The early buzz was that this movie was surprisingly thoughtful AND good. Released in 2023, “Barbie” became a cultural phenomenon and the highest-grossing film of the year. It received eight Academy Award nominations — including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Gosling), and Best Supporting Actress (Ferrera). Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Historically, the film is notable for being the first major studio blockbuster directed by a woman to cross the billion-dollar mark, and for turning a corporate brand into a surprisingly layered commentary on identity, gender expectations, and the contradictions built into the Barbie legacy.

Plot: Barbie lives in “Barbie Land“, where every day is perfect, every night is girls’ night, and the Kens exist mostly to be noticed. One morning, Barbie’s routine breaks: her shower is cold, her toast burns, her feet go flat, and she starts thinking about death. Weird Barbie tells her she must travel to the real world to fix the connection with the human who’s projecting these feelings onto her. Barbie arrives in Los Angeles and discovers that the real world is nothing like Barbie Land — people criticize her, men leer at her, and she realizes she has no idea who she is outside of perfection. Meanwhile, Ken discovers patriarchy (mostly horses and being a rhinestone cowboy) and brings it back to Barbie Land, where the Kens quickly take over and turn the Barbies into subservient girlfriends. Barbie, Gloria, and Sasha return to restore things, using a mix of honesty, distraction, and emotional awakening to snap the Barbies out of their trance. The Kens stage a big musical battle (LoL – shades of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” or “West Side Story“), Barbie confronts her own identity crisis, and Ruth Handler appears to help Barbie decide whether she wants to remain a doll or become human. The film ends with Barbie choosing the messy, imperfect real world — and taking her first awkward step into it.

So, is this movie any good? How’s the acting? The filming / FX? Any problems? And, did I enjoy the film? Short answers: Yes; excellent across the board; bright, clever, and surprisingly detailed; a few; yes.

Any good? Yes. “Barbie” is a far better film than a movie based on a toy has any right to be. It’s funny, self-aware, and occasionally moving. The film balances satire with sincerity — poking fun at Barbie’s contradictions while also acknowledging why she mattered to so many people. The themes about identity, expectations, and choosing your own path land more often than not. It’s not subtle, but it doesn’t need to be. The movie works because it commits fully to its tone: playful on the surface, thoughtful underneath.

Acting: Robbie is terrific — she plays Barbie with warmth, confusion, and just enough vulnerability to make the character feel real. Gosling almost steals the show as Ken; his comic timing is excellent, and he leans into the absurdity without ever winking at the camera. America Ferrera grounds the film emotionally, and her monologue about the contradictions of being a woman is one of the movie’s standout moments. Greenblatt is sharp as Sasha. McKinnon is hilarious as Weird Barbie. Ferrell does his usual corporate-buffoon routine, which works well enough. The ensemble of Barbies and Kens adds energy and humor throughout.

Filming / FX: The movie looks great. The production design is bright, colorful, and intentionally artificial — plastic skies, painted backdrops, and sets that look like life-size playsets. The transitions between Barbie Land and the real world are “mildly” clever. The costumes are “Barbie” fun and varied, pulling from decades of her outfits. The musical numbers are energetic, especially the big Ken sequence. The filming is clean and confident, and the visual jokes land without being too distracting. It’s a movie that knows exactly what it wants to look like.

Problems: A few. The Mattel-corporate subplot feels artificial and interrupts the stronger emotional threads. Some jokes go on far too long or they’re not funny. The pacing in the middle sags slightly. And while the themes are meaningful, some may find the film occasionally spells them out a little too directly (I didn’t). None of these spoil the movie.

Did I enjoy the film? Yes. It’s (somewhat) funny, (very) colorful, and surprisingly thoughtful. The performances are strong, the humor works, and the emotional beats land. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, but the film has a charm and intelligence that won me over. The ending (Barbie choosing to be human) is handled with a light touch.

Final Recommendation: Strong recommendation. “Barbie” is a clever, entertaining film with strong performances, memorable visuals, and a surprising amount of heart. Its Oscar nominations were well-deserved, and its immediate cultural impact is undeniable, although I’m not sure if it will prove lasting. Whether you’re watching for the comedy, the performances, or the themes about identity and choice, it’s worth your time. It’s a movie that manages to say something real without losing its sense of fun.

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