#guys- the Kendom subplot was a satire on both toxic masculinity AND feminism

[myfanfictiongarden]

There seems to be a lot of negativity surrounding the Barbie movie (in a way not surprising with her IP) but I really feel like I should defend the movie a bit.

As a young woman myself who grew up playing with Barbies, yes, I did notice the strong emphasis on “the contemporary feminist message” parts of the movie focused on, and while it came close to bothering me, luckily I think the movie was smart enough to not overstep the line too often and also tackle other topics and issues aside from “women are victims in the male world”. 

Did everybody miss that part where Ken tries to get a cool and high paying job in the Real World (based on simply the fact that he’s a man) only to miserably fail? You know why that part was there? It’s called “nuance” and it’s because the writers know the world isn’t black and white.

What this movie truly did focus on is humanity in it self, and what it means to be human and mortal. It comes with fear, anger, confusion, yes, even with cellulite, but it’s also joy, wonder and growth. There is a scene where Barbie just takes in her surroundings and gets emotional for the first time which was really emotional, and all her scenes with Ruth were very deep explorations on existence. Even the speech the Mom gives near the end was not as preachy as one would think when you realise how often we all (men and women) still get put into boxes (pun unintended)- you can’t be a successful modern woman and still enjoy being a full-time mother, you can’t be a loving and considerate man and still enjoy big & loud cars. The whole Ken-sublot could have been handled a bit better imo but it did show that both women AND men need a place in this (and the fictional) world.

If you think this movie was too agenda-filled and preachy, imagine my surprise when out of the cinema my very conservative mother said she absolutely loves the movie and everything it did. 

As usual you get from a story what you yourself bring into it.

#guys- the Kendom subplot was a satire on both toxic masculinity AND feminism #Barbieland is only perfect for the Barbies #the Kens later take it to another extreme #both ways are not perfect for the other #thats why in the end they go more for equality #this movie is very much a satire #when did people become so blind to the nuances of satire and comedy? #barbie 2023 #analysis #my thoughts #movies #things i like