Analyzing the Barbie movie controversy, uproar; reviewing the film

by Brandis S.

I’m sure everyone has gone to see the newest movie about Barbie, an iconic doll that has captured the imagination of generations. While many were excited to see the beloved character in the upcoming Barbie movie, including myself, it has been met with a wave of controversy, from the concerns about body image to debates on representation. While I loved the movie and didn’t pick up on any of the negativity being brought upon this film, others feel differently. In this article, we explore the various viewpoints and begin shedding light on the broader discussions it has sparked.

One of the most popular remarks being made about the Barbie movie revolves around the doll's appearance and the impact it might have on young viewers. Critics argue that Barbie herself’s exaggerated proportions: long legs, tiny waist, and ample bust, promote unrealistic body ideals and may contribute to negative body image among children. They worry that the portrayal of Barbie could present stereotypes about beauty and give off an unattainable aesthetic. With me having grown up watching Barbie, these reviews on the movie were very shocking to me. I honestly was confused. They seem to be trying to make it something that it isn’t. Barbie is something that kid’s love and that’s always how it’s been, they took the realistic Barbie too seriously and are making it seem personal.

Secondly, “Barbie” has been accused of “pushing” LGBTQ storylines in order to run up its release. According to the faith-based film review site, Movieguide, “Barbie is pushing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender character stories.” In this generation today, that isn’t anything to be mad about. From my point of view, kids are going to eventually learn about a lot of different things parents probably don’t want them to know. Parents are mad that a transgender star Hari Nef appeared in the movie when the kids of the audience most likely didn’t even realize who that was or that he was transgender, I know I didn’t. For people to live in the society that we do today, it feels stupid for them to blow something so little out of proportion. Honestly, it seems kind of homophobic.

All in all, this new Barbie hit has caused a humongous amount of drama. These assumptions about the movie are unexplainable. Part of me understands where these parents are coming from, but at the same time I don’t. This all seems like nothing. “It was hilarious!” Dr. Rasmussen, my Journalism teacher at Airport told me. Which it was. Nothing like what everyone is making it out to be. Sounds like a bunch of people bored and looking for something to pick at. If you haven’t gone out to watch this brand new hit movie… RUN! Disregarding the negative reviews on Barbie, I still personally enjoyed the movie. After watching it, I realized the point of the movie. It shows Barbie experiencing a crisis and ends up in her having to go through the real world. I saw it as a play on life; Barbie was showing what happens in real life and what people go through everyday. “I felt like it was just very insightful, like what it is to be human,” said one of my classmates, Delina H. Throughout, Barbie and Ken both go on their journeys to self acceptance and discover their own identities.

Another Airport student, Carmen S. says, “The movie just covers a lot of bases emotionally.”

While parents and others feel that this movie was stereotypical and sort of “sexualizes” Barbie, I feel this movie can and has taught its audience a variety of lessons about life and womanhood in 2023.