Let’s talk everything Barbie™…from the history to diversity, to my review, to missed opportunities, and more!
Okay, so maybe you’re not the biggest fan of Barbie™. Maybe you think she’s just a plastic doll with unrealistic proportions and a questionable impact on young girls. But hold up…did you know that the Barbie movie might actually be empowering kids in a whole new way? That’s right, the iconic toy upgraded to a modern makeover and the new film is all about breaking stereotypes and encouraging girls to be whatever they want to be. If you haven’t seen it, you may be wondering what all the hype is about and if it lived up to its hype. Well sit back, read on, and let’s see!
Barbie™ dolls have come a long way since their inception in 1959. No longer are they simply fashion models with glamorous outfits, perfect hair, and unrealistic bodies. Barbie™ has proven time and time again that she can be anything she wants to be – from a doctor to an astronaut, and everything in between! Barbie™ encourages girls to dream big and reach for the stars by showcasing a variety of careers. Barbie™ helps break gender stereotypes and empowers girls to believe in their own abilities. Girls are no longer confined to traditional gender roles, but instead, are encouraged to embrace their passions and pursue their dreams, leading Barbie™ to become more than just a doll or toy, but also a symbol of girl power and empowerment for young girls everywhere.
Barbie’s diverse range of careers also highlights the importance of representation and inclusivity. Barbie™ teaches girls that success is not limited to one specific appearance or background by featuring dolls with different skin tones, body shapes, and abilities. Every girl, regardless of her race, size, or abilities, can aspire to achieve greatness in any field she chooses.
DOC (Doll of Color)
Of course, this one is near and dear to my heart as growing up my Barbie™ dolls were always white even though the first Black Barbie™ was created in 1967…before my time, but still, I didn’t see representation in my Barbie™ dolls like I had in my Cabbage Patch© and other doll babies. So, let’s talk about the history of the Black Barbie™ doll. It is not only a fascinating journey through the evolution of a beloved toy but also a testament to the importance of representation. For decades, little Black girls were faced with a lack of dolls that looked like them, which had a profound impact on their self-esteem and sense of belonging.
The journey towards creating a Black Barbie™ doll began in the late 1950s when Mattel, the company behind Barbie™, recognized the need for more diversity in its offerings. In 1967, they introduced “Colored Francie,” which was an attempt to address the issue. However, this doll faced criticism due to its ambiguous features and lack of authenticity. It wasn’t until 1980 that Mattel released the first official Black Barbie™ doll named “Black Barbie.” This groundbreaking move marked a significant milestone in addressing representation matters among little Black girls. The introduction of Black Barbie™ allowed young girls to see themselves reflected in their playtime companions and feel empowered by having a doll that looked like them.
Over time, Mattel continued to expand its range of diverse dolls with different skin tones, hair textures, and facial features. Today’s Black Barbie™ dolls showcase various career paths and interests while remaining true to representing different shades and beauty standards within the Black community.
The history of the Black Barbie™ doll highlights how representation matters among little Black girls. It underscores the importance of recognizing diversity within society and ensuring that every child can see themselves reflected positively in their toys. The journey towards inclusivity is ongoing but thanks to these inclusive dolls, we are moving closer to creating a world where every child feels represented and valued.
Let’s talk about one of the most anticipated movies of 2023: The Good, the Meh, and Why It’s Still a Winner
Diversity
Mattel has done a great job over the decades of evolving Barbie™, from breaking Barbie™ out of the teen model/fashion designer (AKA stereotypical Barbie™ as known in the movie) to traditional women’s careers to shattering the glass ceiling by proving that girls can be anything they want to be. No longer limited to just one career, Barbie™ has shown that she can excel in multiple fields. From a doctor to an astronaut and everything in between, Barbie™ has become a role model for young girls everywhere. This movie is no different by showing the diversity of the Barbies, from different shades, shapes, and careers to a disabled Barbie in a wheelchair.
I am in awe of the fact that my daughter is able to have a collection of dolls that look like people in her family, from fair-skinned to chocolate-skinned, with hairstyles such as straight hair, afros, braids, colored hair, and even bald Barbie, which led us to discuss that hair doesn’t make a woman beautiful. We discussed how some women are bald by choice and some are bald from hair loss due to chemotherapy or from Alopecia, as she knows I have Alopecia and struggle with hair loss even though I do not rock the bald and beautiful look.
We loved seeing Issa Rae portray a Black woman president in Barbie Land. This historic moment marks a significant milestone in the representation and diversity of the iconic doll, as well as an inspiring example for young girls everywhere. With her undeniable talent, Issa Rae embodies the power of ambition, leadership, and breaking down barriers. By featuring a Black woman as the face of Barbie’s presidency, Barbie is breaking down stereotypes and challenging societal norms.
This movie not only celebrates the achievements of women of color but also creates an opportunity for all children to see themselves represented in a position of leadership and power. The impact of this appointment goes beyond the world of toys. It sends a powerful message to young girls that they can aspire to be leaders and achieve greatness, regardless of their race or background. It encourages them to embrace their individuality, challenge societal expectations, and pursue their dreams with confidence. Representation in the media plays a crucial role in shaping the perceptions and aspirations of young minds. By celebrating the appointment of Issa Rae as Barbie‘s first Black woman president, we are celebrating the power of representation and its potential to inspire and empower. In a world that is becoming increasingly diverse, it is essential that our media and toys reflect this diversity. By embracing and celebrating representation, we are creating a more inclusive and equal society where all children can see themselves and their dreams reflected in the world around them.
Barbie‘s appointment of Issa Rae as its first Black woman president is a significant step toward a more diverse and inclusive future. It is a celebration of representation and a call to break down barriers and challenge conventional norms. Through this appointment, Barbie is inspiring young girls to believe in themselves, dream big, and embrace their own potential for greatness.
My random thoughts…
Okay by now, you know that since the announcement of the live-action Barbie, it generated significant buzz and excitement. Barbie™, the iconic doll that has captivated audiences for decades, is no stranger to the big screen. A part of the hype is the involvement of talented individuals behind the scenes. The Barbie movie boasts a stellar creative team, including acclaimed writers, directors, and animators. This level of talent suggests that the film will be crafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a high-quality production. The marketing plan and advertising for the movie have also added to the buzz. To give fans a taste of what’s to come, teaser trailers, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes videos were released, which heightened their excitement and anticipation for the film’s debut.
In the vibrant and seemingly ideal realm of Barbie Land, Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives. They quickly learn the pleasures and dangers of interacting with others, though, as they get the chance to travel to the real world.
The movie heralds bimbo feminism and hyper-femininity throughout by crossing over exaggerated adherence to a feminine gender with empowering women to be proud to embrace their femininity and fight back against the sexist overtone. The movie, which is covered in Barbie™’s trademark, over-styled in pink, addresses the complexities and ambiguities of modern femininity through a fish-out-of-water script. It tackles vital and widespread social concerns.
Due to Barbie and her existential crisis, Barbie must navigate the overwhelming feeling and discomfort of being human and a patriarchal society that would cast her as a supporting player in her own world because of it. Although Barbie offers Ken empathy and sensitivity in order to demonstrate how his character also suffers from the pressures of the patriarchy, Ken’s “himbo” character serves as the basis for most of the humor in the movie. Ken falls in love with the “real world,” where males are viewed as superior because, in Barbie Land, women appear to be the leaders and men are fortunate to live in their world. I must add that Ryan Gosling delivered in this movie! He was hilarious and still easy on the eyes!
The production, fashion, and overexaggerated moments make the movie a fun adventure. However, there were some meh moments that seemed to drag out for all ages. The movie starts out well, with moments after moments of fast comedy, but drags in the middle as it explores its more serious issues. Some of the topics repeatedly state their key points. At the beginning of the film, the exaggerated, lighter, comical edge made the message of masculine vs. feminine confidence and both genders’ existence and respect for one another more interesting.
America Ferrera’s character, Gloria, in the movie, delivers a wonderfully inspiring monologue that made the woman and mother in me tear up a bit and quietly clap as she spoke on the expectations of women and, in a nutshell, how we have to be everything to everyone with boundaries of not too much or too little. This was followed by Barbie expressing that she feels like she will never be good enough.
The speech hit home and was very powerful; however, the heavy speech was relatable to women either of a certain age or at a certain stage of their lives but definitely didn’t land with teens and under.
To sum it up, through nostalgic moments, an abundance of pink, and overemphasized male and female genders, the movie is about identity, self-discovery, and self-acceptance living in reality with tears, realization, ownership, and growth.
Is the Barbie Movie for Kids?
While the age varies from girl to girl when they start and stop playing with dolls, the average can be found between 3 and 12 years, even if on the older side of the range, the girl may not want to admit it. 😊 So, with this age range, why is the Barbie movie PG-13? The film’s PG-13 rating was due to “suggestive references” and “brief language.” Because of this rating, I was hesitant about taking my 8-year-old daughter to something so iconic and something we both enjoyed, as I grew up loving Barbie™ dolls, and now so does my daughter; so naturally I wanted to experience this with her. I asked a few people, read about it online from critics and mommy bloggers, and went with the knowledge that there are some advanced themes.
And while this movie isn’t like many of the TV-Y (ages 7+) Barbie™ movies or shows on Netflix that I’ve watched with my daughter, and its complex themes are definitely more for teens and adults than teens and kids, they did a good job of making those themes geared for the right age group, basically going over my daughter’s head. It is unavoidable that Barbie will raise issues such as feminism, love, and perhaps mortality. While certain words and scenes contain material that some could deem “risqué,” such as corny pick-up lines, cliche whistling from construction workers, and the use of mild adult terms like “bitch” and “crap,” it is also seen in very few instances. The word “motherfucker” is also bleeped out for laughs in a significant sequence. There are some mildly violent scenes, but without weapons and more comical than anything. However, I didn’t think it was anything uncomfortable for me and my daughter, as I said, the mature jokes went right over her head, and let’s be honest, I am sure she has overheard me, her dad, my friends, or other movies and music in the background with suggestive lines or swear words. And hey, we have watched movies together such as Home Alone, Adventures in Babysitting, and The Christmas Chronicles, in addition to 13 Going on 30, Are We There Yet?, Freaky Friday, and the Life Size movies, where all these movies range from PG to PG-13 and all have a mix of kid and adult jokes. I mean, even Disney™ movies such as The Lion King have violence, and The Little Mermaid talks about dating, so you can’t escape these themes in real life; it just has to be done tastefully. I have an open relationship with my daughter, and we have had to have uncomfortable conversations about race, politics, and crime due to the news and social media, and periods and cramps for her to understand her mom and ask about pads and tampons she’s seen in the bathroom. Knowing my daughter, I knew she would be okay watching this movie, and if she had any questions, I would answer them as best and honestly as I could for her age in a way that she could understand.
Some parents might not feel ready or comfortable discussing the more complex storylines, while others might be worried about their child’s readiness for exposure to mature issues. Since every family has its own set of rules and boundaries, I don’t believe there is a right or wrong answer. Instead, you should decide what is best for you and your child.
Missed Opportunity: Life Size, Eve Missing?
One thing I thought the movie should have added was Tyra Banks’s character, Eve, as Life Size could arguably be the first live-action Barbie™ movie. They could have easily included her as someone to give Barbie advice on entering the real world. Many fans online agree, especially with Tyra Banks channeling her iconic Life Size character, Eve, in an Instagram post wearing one of the dresses from the film with a phone up to her ear and a blank expression. She wrote, “Ken, you’re leaving me for WHO?” And of course, Tyra Banks looked absolutely gorgeous and was “shining bright”—all pun intended!
And although this Barbie™-inspired, made-for-TV movie is not backed by Mattel Films, true fans call this the original Barbie™ movie, even if the main character is not the stereotypical Barbie™. I would also say that even though Life Size was rated PG and Life Size 2 was rated TV14, it is more geared towards kids and tweens, and while the Barbie movie can be enjoyable for all, some parts are a little dragged out for the younger ones.
In the words of a beloved Life Size fan, “Life Size walked so Barbie could run.”
Barbie Fashion
Now you didn’t think we weren’t going to discuss fashion? With a mix of classic elegance and contemporary flair, the Barbie movie 2023 was a visual feast for fashion enthusiasts. The movie’s costume designers have spared no expense in creating jaw-dropping looks that will leave audiences in awe. Since the movie’s release, different people, including celebrities, have taken to social media and red carpets to don Barbie-inspired outfits. It doesn’t end here. The blockbuster movie also showcased iconic outfits in different scenes, which left viewers with a memorable watching experience.
Fasten your seatbelts as we take you on a trip into the fantastic world of Barbie through iconic outfits from the movie. The movie showcased a plethora of fashion moments, from Ken’s platinum blonde hair and Barbie and Ken’s matching rollerblade outfits to Barbie’s retro look. Other Barbies weren’t left out of this whole makeover. There’s no doubt that Gerwig’s Barbie paved the way for the buzz around Barbie-inspired aesthetics in fashion. With stars like Megan Fox and Cardi B donning all-around pink outfits everywhere, this is definitely the season for Barbie fashion inspiration. Without further ado, let’s dive right into the fashion moments in Barbie and the iconic looks that blew our minds away!
1. Barbie’s Retro Outfit
Barbie takes us on a nostalgic journey to the past, with Robbie donning this retro look. The first look at the Barbie movie gave us shades of pink in different elements. However, this outfit stands out. Barbie showcases her fashionista side by creatively combining a striped halter dress with a polka dot headband.
2. Ken’s Jean Jacket
Denim might have been around for decades, but Barbie shows us that outfits made from it always stay in style. When the world saw Gosling in character, viewers fed their eyes with Ken’s exquisitely bleached hair and killer abs reflected in a denim vest and Ken-brand underwear.
3. Barbie’s Furry Heels
There’s so much to admire about Barbie; her feet stand proudly among them. An iconic moment from the movie began in the trailer with Robbie’s arched feet and the fluffy heels adorning them. These rhinestone-covered heels left fans gasping and thirsting for more.
4. Barbie And Ken’s Matching Outfits
Matching looks took on a new level, with Barbie and Ken serving us uniquely synchronized chic looks across different scenes throughout the movie. From the memorable rollerblade outfits and Western-inspired looks to the matching plaid outfits, there’s a look for every mood between these two characters. Outfits like Nautical outfits, Winter wear, and even camping outfits showed a look for every season with Barbie and Ken.
5. Barbie’s President Outfits
The highly anticipated film Barbie: The Movie has made a significant footprint globally. Apart from the impeccable casting of stars such as Margot Robbie, another unique element of the movie will remain the enchanting outfits shown throughout the film. The carefully created and thought-out pieces expressed several emotions, ranging from youthful exuberance to refreshing nostalgia, among several people. Whatever your personal style is, there’s no doubt that the Barbie movie ensembles significantly impacted fashion and pop culture.
Wrapping it up:
In conclusion, it’s critical to acknowledge the beneficial effects the Barbie movie may have on young audiences despite the criticism and skepticism it has received. Children can escape from reality and immerse themselves in a story that empowers them thanks to the movie’s fantasy world, where imagination and creativity rule supreme.
The Barbie movie’s focus on inclusivity and diversity is among its main advantages. By portraying individuals from different backgrounds and abilities, it promotes the notion that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. As a result, the idea of a single “perfect” definition of beauty is questioned, and young people are encouraged to value their uniqueness.
Moreover, the movie’s message of empowerment extends beyond appearance. It inspires young viewers to dream big, set goals, and believe in themselves. It highlights the importance of hard work, resilience, and collaboration in achieving success. These are valuable lessons that can inspire children to pursue their passions and overcome obstacles.
While it is true that the Barbie™ brand has faced criticism in the past for promoting materialism and consumerism, the movie’s focus on friendship, teamwork, and personal growth suggests a shift in the brand’s values. By emphasizing the importance of relationships and personal development, the movie encourages children to prioritize what truly matters in life.
Whether you are a fan of the Life Size movies, the new Barbie movie, or both — because we don’t have to choose — they both have important lessons about friendship, self-discovery, and self-acceptance while celebrating resilience and embracing possibilities.
Overall, the Barbie movie is a valuable tool for inspiring and empowering children. Its empowering message, diverse cast of characters, and emphasis on personal growth and collaboration contribute to a future where individuals from all backgrounds are seen and heard. By setting an example and challenging societal norms, The Barbie movie is showing children that they can be anything they want to be, regardless of their background or identity.
