So, last weekend this Grandma had to check it out. Yep! I was one of the many Barbie fans who dug out her coolest pink swag and embellished it with some fine, boujee accessories. After all, who doesn't want to be Barbie for a day? I can't deny it - I was Barbielicious (or whatever!)
As the movie started, I must say, I was taken a bit back. The opening scene started with some sweet, young, innocent girls playing so gently with their baby dolls. Then, all of a sudden it turned into a smash and bash, as they violently started crushing all those precious baby dolls into a million little pieces! Say what? I know! I about hyper-ventilated! I guess they were trying to portray the evolution of the doll - leaving the beloved baby doll behind and latching on to the super cool "be-who-you-wanna-be" Barbie doll. But did it have to be so harsh? I guess so. Let the good times roll!! (or whatever!)
So of course, all Barbies live in Barbieland, just as all Kens do, and Barbieland was just what you'd expect - a pink, plastic utopia of female perfection. It's even ruled by an all Barbie Supreme Court! And oh yes! Barbie's dreamhouse is just that - an absolute dream! It was a far cry from the cardboard box Barbie house I once constructed!! But have you heard this? You can now rent out that same exact Barbie Dream House on VRBO!! Really?
And her pink convertible was super sleek, as she drove past the unending palm trees and carefree beaches of Barbieland. Even the biggest, fluffiest clouds couldn't block out the beautiful sun shining above. Heck! I totally want to go there on my next vacation! Especially since every night is girls' night! Party on sistas!
Ayway, Barbie soon learns that she must leave Barbieland and travel to the "real world" to solve a hideous problem. Her problem? Get this. Her typically arched feet have suddenly gone flat!!! Oh my! Now that's a problem!
So, as Barbie travels to the "real world", Ken jumps in and "real world" here they come! However, their trip is quite an eye opener when they both face the unexpected. Why doesn't everyone "eww" and "awww" over Barbie? Why isn't she instantly everyone's friend? And Ken- Why can't he be a doctor? Isn't being a man enough? Wow! This "real world" is some harsh stuff!
But hey! I'm not going to ruin the movie for you. Let's just say, I loved it, because within it's pink and plastic, I found an underlying message that really drove home for me. I'm sure my grand-daughters didn't catch the same drift, but I don't think they're supposed to. Maybe that's why this grandma (probably the oldest one in the theatre) was the only one who went absolutely bananas during the scene where a Mattel employee, Gloria (America Ferrera), informs Barbie of all those unrealistic expectations women are faced with here in the "real world". You know - are we ever really good enough? (You go Gloria!)
Oh - and by the way - I've got to give a shout out to Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), cuz she's the one Barbie we all had! You know - the mangled one with the ratted hair and magic marker face! Oh Weird Barbie - you made my day! Thanks for the memories and the laughs! (You rock Weird Barbie!)
So - let me just close by saying - you've gotta go see this one! And when you get home - give me a call. We'll spill the tea on all the hidden messages - AND - we'll plan our next VRBO trip to Barbie's Dream House!! Catch ya later girlfriend!
