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The ‘Barbie’ movie

(68 Posts)
Daddima Thu 03-Aug-23 11:26:40

I assumed this was for children, but have recently seen adults on social media raving about it. Has anyone seen it?

icanhandthemback Sat 05-Aug-23 15:31:49

I enjoyed it at my level, the grandaughter’s at theirs. Most of it was good. Hated the chase at Mattel’s and the ending went on too long (I needed the loo) but most of it was very funny.

ExaltedWombat Sat 05-Aug-23 15:20:16

It's NOT like the TV show! Good fun and nothing too shocking, but it does explore feminism, the Patriarchy etc.

Interesting to see some reviewers distort it through their ideology.

Gundy Sat 05-Aug-23 14:45:45

Welshgirl2017 - you really got the substance of what the storyline of the movie was! Your comments mirrored many of the US reviews. It’s just as much about Ken as it is Barbie. Subversive satire.

I have not seen it, not really interested. All my friends have seen it - some loved it, some just liked, others “meh.”

I’m an Oppenheimer girl. I’ve seen it twice. Now THAT’S a piece of HISTORY! It’s a thriller for sure, and one that makes you realize how it has altered the world order, and how timely the message is.
USA Gundy

Chanel19 Sat 05-Aug-23 14:30:58

My daughter dragged me along to see it.
We both thought it was absolutely dire!
What are we missing if many here say they loved it...

SunnySusie Sat 05-Aug-23 13:27:06

I really enjoyed Barbie. The sets are fabulous, Helen Mirren makes a great narrator and a lot of it is ironic. Not really a film for kids. There is a long monologue on feminism and patriarchy, lots about the role of men and women in the world and many references to other films and cultural influences. Quite a bit of that went over my head. I found it very entertaining (apart from the ending which was a tad weak) and I did go away and have a good think about the issues it raises. So a great success for me because I rarely go to the cinema and I dont actually like the vast majority of films.

FannyD Sat 05-Aug-23 13:21:13

It’s actually a 12A rating, not PG.
A friend of mine went with another friend who was desperate to go. She said there were several small girls being turned away because their parents hadn’t checked the rating.
My friend didn’t enjoy it, but the person she went with did. I’m afraid wild horses wouldn’t drag me.

Design100 Sat 05-Aug-23 13:06:38

Loved the film. Absolutely brilliant fun!

SachaMac Sat 05-Aug-23 12:57:14

I had no intention of going to see Barbie but after speaking to people who have seen it and also reading some great reviews I’m quite tempted. I definitely want to see Oppenheimer, if it’s a choice between the two I’ll go for that.

GreyhairedWarrior Sat 05-Aug-23 12:53:08

A warning on trying to do the Barbenheimer thing - DH and I went to see Oppenheimer and it was also a brilliant movie but three hours long. I had to go to the loo twice during it, which should teach me not to buy a coca-cola to take in with me on a long movie.

welshgirl2017 Sat 05-Aug-23 12:52:39

Babamaman

My Rabbi who is a 50yr old married man with 3 children said he went last week on his own and saw it! And said it was quite a disturbing film - it is a 12+ mostly because children won’t understand the quips! And undertones. Quite disturbing how Barbie discovers her origins and Ken is so misogynic!
Will wait until it’s out on tv -

Well I suppose it would be 'disturbing' to a 50 year old married man with traditional views. I went - not expecting much (always hated the 'Barbie' brand and pink...to the extent that I refused to buy my daughter a Barbie). Went with my now grown up daughter (46) and two grandsons (12 & 10). Its a 12A rating. I did laugh a bit...but it was a rather subversive message from Greta Gerwig and very feminist - which I applaud! Both grandsons enjoyed, but of course a lot of the subliminal stuff and references went straight over their heads, not having a historical context for them. Even my daughter lost some of the subtle references (she didn't remember Stanley Kubrick's 2001 Space Odyssey reference at beginning of the film), I'm guessing that was lost on the majority of the audience. I had to explain a few things to grandsons - eg. what's a gynaecologist .... we then had a bit of a biology/physiology lesson (after the film that was!). Overall I thought it was pretty good. Babamaman I would hope it was 'disturbing' in a good way....to get people to think about misogyny and oppression. On balance I would recommend - even though I was not keen to go - as an interesting perspective on patriarchy and what it does to women and men. Of course Mattel will do OK out of it......even if it's for the wrong reasons.....the marketing has gone into overdrive!

GreyhairedWarrior Sat 05-Aug-23 12:50:43

I saw it with a friend and we both thought it was fantastic. Funny and clever and makes you think - what’s not to like?

Annierob Sat 05-Aug-23 12:41:05

I went to see it with my 11 year old granddaughter and was surprised to find I enjoyed it.
Thought the ending wasn’t good. There was quite a bit of anti men then it was as though the writers realised this but then couldn’t think of a new ending. Ken’s suggestion to Barbie that they shared a home got a resounding no to Barbie but then the film floundered. The Ken fight was very funny.
Most of the audience was made up if teenage girls, none wearing pink.

Blackcat3 Sat 05-Aug-23 12:37:37

Not for children….a feminist film….just good clean fun…a feel good film….not outstanding but a pleasant way to spend a wet afternoon.

Buddleja Sat 05-Aug-23 12:36:59

Two friends and I experienced it as a two-hour advertisement. It was hard to empathise with plastic playthings, although well done those actors, and the plot is incoherent.

priestbridge Sat 05-Aug-23 12:32:35

I went to see it with my 13 year old granddaughter. I loved it she hated it and was bored for the most part. She did like the songs though.

Chardonay Sat 05-Aug-23 12:30:51

Daft but very funny

Granmarderby10 Sat 05-Aug-23 12:23:08

Well I might attempt to do Barbenheimer I’ve got two of the GKids next week and they’re both films are showing at our nice little cinema … obviously I’ll take them home for their tea and then return with an adult for the second one😀

Tattooedfidelma Sat 05-Aug-23 12:07:49

Went with 2 of my adult daughters. Was really looking forward to seeing it after hearing all the hype but was very disappointed. One of my daughters enjoyed it but the other didn’t but we all agreed that if there was a Barbie 2, we wouldn’t bother seeing it.

Sawsage2 Sat 05-Aug-23 12:06:37

Love Ryan Gosling. Went with daughter and granddaughter but it was full so had to watch rubbish cartoon instead.

DamaskRose Sat 05-Aug-23 12:05:22

Grantanow

No and I won't be buying any of the associated tat.

Neither will I!

Grantanow Sat 05-Aug-23 11:59:58

No and I won't be buying any of the associated tat.

teachkate Sat 05-Aug-23 11:59:42

I went with my friend, we’re both 67, on the opening day - fabulous! Everyone should see this film during this time of miserable and dire weather, news, political situation, economy etc. I smiled all the way through, laugh out loud moments too, definitely a feel good factor film (should be prescribed at the drs) plus Ryan Gosling is pretty amazing.

annifrance Sat 05-Aug-23 11:55:01

My daughter said it was hilarious. And my 15 yr old grandson also loved it!

Babamaman Sat 05-Aug-23 11:46:31

My Rabbi who is a 50yr old married man with 3 children said he went last week on his own and saw it! And said it was quite a disturbing film - it is a 12+ mostly because children won’t understand the quips! And undertones. Quite disturbing how Barbie discovers her origins and Ken is so misogynic!
Will wait until it’s out on tv -

Shropshirelass Sat 05-Aug-23 11:44:17

No, I have no yearnings to see it.