Barbie
“Barbie” is a 2023 American fantasy comedy film that marks an important milestone as Mattel’s first live-action film based on the beloved Barbie fashion doll. Directed by Greta Gerwig and co-written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, the film follows numerous Barbie-centric computer-animated direct-to-video and streaming TV movies. An exciting new journey.
Starring Margot Robbie as the iconic Barbie doll and Ryan Gosling as her equally famous partner Ken, the film delves into a captivating story of self-discovery sparked by an existential crisis. In addition to Robbie and Gosling, the cast includes established talent such as America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman and Will Ferrell.
The journey to bring Barbie to the live-action big screen began in September 2009, when Universal Pictures announced the project, with Laurence Mack serving as producer. However, in April 2014, Sony Pictures acquired the film rights, setting the stage for the development process.
There were several changes of writers and directors over the years, with the likes of Amy Schumer and later Anne Hathaway initially considered for the lead role. Finally, in October 2018, the film rights were transferred to Warner Bros. Pictures.
In 2019, Margot Robbie was cast as Barbie, bringing new life to the project. Then, in 2021, Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach were announced as director and co-writer respectively, injecting fresh creativity and vision into the film. The rest of the talented cast was revealed to the public in early 2022, increasing anticipation for the film.
Filming took place primarily at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, England, and at Venice Beach Skate Park in Los Angeles from March to July 2022, capturing picturesque locations to complement the fantasy elements of Barbie’s world.
Finally, after much anticipation, “Barbie” held its grand premiere at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on July 9, 2023. The film was subsequently released in U.S. theaters on July 21, 2023, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures. In a unique and exciting marketing move, it was released simultaneously with the film Oppenheimer, sparking the “Bappenheimer” phenomenon on social media, encouraging audiences to experience both films in a double-feature format.
The film received widespread critical acclaim, praising its imaginative storytelling and the cast’s stellar performances. Additionally, Barbie was a huge box office success, grossing $382 million worldwide, cementing its status as a treasured addition to the Barbie franchise and a remarkable achievement in live-action adaptation.
Barbie Doll’s Existence and Ending Explained
Barbie sincerely expresses to Ruth her desire to undergo significant transformation and development. In response, Ruth posed a crucial question, asking whether Barbie truly understood what it meant to fully embrace humanity.
Ruth points out that returning to Barbieland, where she exists as an eternal thought, would be an easier, safer option. In Barbieland, she doesn’t have to face the challenges, vulnerabilities, and limitations that come with life as a human being.
However, Barbie’s decision was firm. She no longer wishes to be confined to the realm of abstract ideas; she longs to experience life as a real human being. This means she desires to embrace all aspects of existence, including the joys and hardships that come with it.
In essence, this scene depicts a profound philosophical and existential dilemma. Barbie’s choice represents a classic struggle: embracing a life that is timeless and secure but devoid of the richness of human experience, versus embracing the impermanence and unpredictability of being human, with the potential for personal growth, connection, and meaningful experience.
By wanting to “evolve,” Barbie seeks personal development and growth and may desire to engage with the human condition and explore the complexities of emotions, relationships, and self-discovery. This quest for self-actualization and authenticity demonstrates a willingness to accept the fleeting and fragile nature of human life.
Ruth’s questioning of Barbie’s decision highlights the importance of the choice at hand. By challenging Barbie to consider the consequences of her desires, Ruth encourages her to be fully aware of what she is stepping into and to carefully weigh the pros and cons.
Overall, this conversation prompts us to think about the nature of existence, the quest for self-awareness and authenticity, and what it means to accept the challenges and limitations of human life in order to experience its true nature. It is a meditative reflection on the longing for authentic presence and the willingness to face the unknown in the pursuit of a fulfilling and meaningful life.
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barbie cast
Features |
throw |
|---|---|
| Barbie | Margot Robbie |
| Barbie doll (various) | Kate McKinnon |
| Barbie doll (various) | Issa Rae |
| Barbie doll (various) | Alexandra Shipp |
| Barbie doll (various) | Emma McKee |
| Barbie doll (various) | Harry Neff |
| Barbie doll (various) | Sharon Rooney |
| Barbie doll (various) | Ana Cruz Kane |
| Barbie doll (various) | Ritu Arya |
| Barbie doll (various) | Dua Lipa |
| Barbie doll (various) | Nicola Coughlan |
| Barbie doll (various) | Met narrative |
| Barbie doll (various) | Marisa Abella |
| Barbie doll (various) | Lucy Boyton |
| Ken | Ryan Gosling |
| Ken (various) | Liu Simu |
| Ken (various) | Kingsley Ben Adir |
| Ken (various) | Scott Evans |
| Ken (various) | Nuti Gatwa |
| Ken (various) | John Cena |
| Ken (various) | Rob Brydon |
| Ken (various) | Tom Stoughton |
| Gloria | America Ferrera |
| Allen | Michael Cera |
| Sasha | Ariana Greenblatt |
| young sasha | Giveve Toussaint |
| Ruth Handler | Rhea Perlman |
| narration | Helen Mirren |
| Mattel CEO | will ferrell |
| Aaron Dinkins | Connor Swindells |
| Mattel Chief Financial Officer | Jamie Demetriou |
| midge | Emerald Fennell |
| captain | Erica Ford |
| “Growing Up” Captain | Hannah Halik Brown |
| woman on bench | Ann Ross |
| Young Mattel employees | Will Merrick |
| Mattel warehouse employee | Asim Chaudhry |
| anxious mom | Anne Mumolo |
| time mom | Lauren Holt |
| gloria’s husband | Ryan Pierce Williams |
| Dan from the FBI | Ray Phelan |
Barbie plot
In the fantasy world of Barbie Land, stereotypical Barbie (“Barbie”) lives with a diverse group of Barbie companions in a matriarchal society where women are independent, confident, and accomplished. While Ken’s counterparts spent time enjoying leisure activities at the beach, Barbie held important positions as a doctor, lawyer, and politician.
Against this backdrop, Beach Ken (“Ken”) longs for a closer relationship with Barbie, but she prioritizes her independence and female friendship and rejects his advances. At a dance, Barbie suddenly thought about death.
The next day, she noticed changes in her body, such as flat feet and cellulite. Weird Barbie, smart but unconventional, suggests her cure lies in the real world and she must find children to play with. On the journey to the real world, Barbie finds Ken hiding in her convertible and reluctantly allows him to accompany her.
After arriving in Venice Beach, the duo find themselves in various unfortunate situations, leading to their arrest and the attention of Mattel’s CEO, who wants to capture them. Barbie eventually found her owner, a teenage girl named Sasha, who criticized Barbie for perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards.
Barbie’s existential crisis stems from Sasha’s mother, Gloria, a Mattel employee who projects her own concerns onto Barbie during an identity crisis. Together, Gloria, Sasha, and Barbie foil the CEO’s plans and return to Barbie Land.
Meanwhile, Ken learns about patriarchy and experiences acceptance for the first time. Returning to Barbie’s land, he convinced the other Kens to take over control, resulting in Barbie being forced into a submissive role. Barbie’s attempts to regain her balance are initially rejected, frustrating her. However, Gloria delivers an empowering speech about femininity that inspires Barbie to take action.
With the support of Sasha, Gloria, Weird Barbie, Ellen and other discontinued dolls, Barbie rises up against the Kens and uses her wits to outwit them and reclaim their rightful position of power. Recognizing the shortcomings of the previous social structure, Barbie chooses a more equal society that provides equal treatment for Ken’s family and all marginalized dolls.
Barbie and Ken reconcile and admit their shortcomings. Ken realizes that he needs to find his identity and purpose outside of his relationship with Barbie. Meanwhile, Barbie, still unsure of her identity, received spiritual guidance from Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel and inventor of the doll. Ruth reminds Barbie that her story continues to evolve beyond her original roots.
Determined to embrace her humanity, Barbie decides to return to the real world. As time passes, Gloria, her husband, and Sasha accompany “Barbara Handler” (Barbie’s current nickname) to her first gynecological appointment, symbolizing her role as Humanity’s journey into a new chapter in life.
Where can I see Barbie dolls?
Warner Bros. has confirmed that the highly anticipated live-action Barbie movie will be released on July 21, 2023. It has been revealed that the movie is 113 minutes long, which is equivalent to 1 hour and 54 minutes.
As for its digital release, no specific date has been announced yet. However, based on the studio’s previous practice, the film is likely to be released in digital form approximately 45 days after its theatrical release. This pattern is consistent with the typical release schedule that studios follow.
Therefore, viewers can expect to watch the Barbie movie online around September 2023. It’s worth noting that these plans are subject to change, and any changes made by the studio could impact the digital release schedule. Fans are encouraged to keep an eye out for official announcements from Warner Bros. regarding a digital release date.
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