But before we get to that, we start Barbie’s story in a brown, dull desert. Young girls are happily playing with baby dolls, exercising their maternal instinct — until giant Barbie shows up in her iconic black and white striped swimsuit and sporting bright red lips.
She’s new, she’s shiny and she has caught the attention of every little girl who immediately leaves behind their old dolls and mothering imitations for a new, glamourous and empowering doll, setting the tone for the feminist themes that are to come.
This brings us to the bright pink, theme-park like Barbie Land. If you could bring to life the imaginary Barbie world you created when you were five and playing dolls, it would be this. Production designers Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer prove within the first five minutes of the film that their décor is impeccable.
And then, the self-described blonde-haired, blue-eyed, pink-lipped, glowing “stereotype Barbie”, Robbie appears on screen. She wakes up with perfect hair, and perfect outfits — because as she tells the viewer, she is always “perfect” and every day is the “best day ever” — until it’s not.
Barbie is malfunctioning and on seeking wisdom from Barbie Land’s “Weird Barbie” played by comedy queen, Kate McKinnon, she learns that the only way to be “perfect” again is to travel to the real world, find her human and figure out what’s going wrong in her life.
What comes next is a captivating performance from Robbie and Ken —played by Ryan Gosling — as they enter the real world and embark on an equally exciting and emotional journey.
Throughout their real world experience, designer Jacqueline Durran outdoes herself. The costumes are colourful, fun and relevant to every task Barbie is pursuing, or feeling Ken is emoting.
They skate around in fluro leotards, and explore Los Angeles in western-inspired two pieces. It’s where the costume design shines but it is also where the story makes its point. On entering the real world, Barbie — the once powerful matriarch — is subject to the male gaze.
The Barbie and Ken storyline that follows is a superbly crafted mockery while also managing to be a heartfelt social commentary. But amid it all, it’s very easy to get lost in Robbie and Gosling’s immaculate portrayals of the world’s most well-known toys.
Leaning into Robbie’s striking good looks and effortless charm, Barbie seems like it would have been a relatively easy role for the Australian actress but it’s clear she committed to the character. Robbie proves she has the emotional capabilities as an actress to guide us on a journey of self-discovery and growth — and nails that Barbie-perfect smile.
Elsewhere, Gosling embodies immaculate Kenergy. The first 20 minutes of the film are all the reassurance you need that the casting directors made the right decision.
Ultimately, Barbie is a film that is a must watch for its impressive cinematography and impeccable craftsmanship, but its storyline is drowned out by too many themes all fighting for the front seat.
There are themes of feminism, patriarchy, pretty privilege, gender norms, self-love and self-discovery, but it is over-saturated in options. Much like the doll, the film means well, but will likely leave a bad taste in the mouth of those striving for social change surrounding female empowerment.
