I have fond memories of growing up with Barbie dolls, so it felt natural for me to be excited about this movie. The film’s aesthetics brought back nostalgia, reminding me of my playful days. It was impressive how the movie accurately portrayed playtime – showering without the water, drinking without actually drinking, “flying” to the car (hey I don’t remember having a barbie car though, I think I got a hand-me-down Corvette). The attention to detail was spot-on and added to the overall nostalgic feeling.
However, despite the praises it received, I personally found the conflict in the film disappointing. The plot seemed to force a simplistic “boys vs. girls” conflict, which I believe could have been approached differently and in a more nuanced manner. The resolution to the conflict was corny.
One aspect that particularly bothered me was the lengthy five-minute monologue. It became tiresome to watch, and the word “nakakaumay” perfectly captures that feeling. Although I understand the importance of addressing certain social issues, I felt the movie’s execution of it was too direct and in-your-face. Perhaps the intention was to portray the issue openly, but it made me lose interest.
I grew up in a third world country, where real-life problems like poverty were significant concerns. As a result, certain concepts, like feminism, were not familiar to me, and I struggled to relate to it in the context of the film. While I appreciate the attempt to address important topics, the approach felt disconnected from my own experiences.
In conclusion, I enjoyed the nostalgic aspects of the Barbie movie, but I was disappointed with the forced conflict and the in-your-face approach of the social issues. The beginning of the film was engaging, but the later parts, including the monologue, were less enjoyable for me.
