This summer, people donned their pink and flocked to movie theaters to see the highly anticipated “Barbie” movie.
Whether it was big names like Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, a childhood love for Barbie, the fact it came out at the same time as “Oppenheimer” or just the idea of a fun, summer movie, people were drawn to see the film.
In fact, so many people were drawn in that the film made $1.38 billion at the box office.
After experiencing such success with “Barbie,” Mattel decided they wanted to taste some more of that success. In hopes of creating a franchise, Mattel plans to make more movies inspired by their products.
Mattel has officially announced 14 movies that are in development. Among those 14 are American Girl Doll, Barney, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball and Polly Pocket.
Who knows? Maybe some of these have the potential to be great movies. However, “Barbie”’s success is not purely because it is centered around a Mattel product. Yes, that is a factor of the film but it is not the film’s heart. To assume the success of “Barbie” could be translated over to these other products just because they are also Mattel toys is very bold.
What made “Barbie” so special that these other hopeful films will have a hard time living up to it? “Barbie” has a compelling story that has substance separate from the toy itself.
This film could have kept Barbie as the image of the happy, perfect and plastic woman that pop culture has presented her as. Instead, they gave her substance and genuine struggles. If Barbie, the “perfect woman,” grapples with purpose, death and insecurities, it validates women who feel alone in grappling with those things. Even Barbie struggles! This movie made Barbie more than a toy; it made her human.
This humanization of someone seen as just an object also gets at the movie’s commentary on gender. Switching the roles of men and women in Barbie Land in opposition to the real world is a simple but effective strategy for making their point.
The cast also makes this movie really special: Margot Robbie is the perfect Barbie, Ryan Gosling and the other Kens are hilarious and America Ferrera delivers an authentic depiction of the frustrations of being a woman.
The movie’s director, Greta Gerwig, compared directing this film to playing with Barbie dolls as a little girl. In the same way that a little girl breathes life into her Barbie dolls, Gerwig breathes life into this film.
Gerwig also pushes a bluntness that makes this film refreshingly honest. For example, the movie features direct stabs at Mattel. And when Barbie is supposed to not be looking her best, the narrator comes in to acknowledge that in order to make this point believable, they should have cast someone besides Margot Robbie.
The film is also very aesthetically pleasing to view. From Barbie Land in all its pink glory to the harsh contrast of the real world and the practical effects depicting the journey between the two worlds, every second is visually brilliant.
Towards the end of the film, Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” plays. The song’s title is an appropriate question as Barbie searches for her purpose. It is also an appropriate question to ask in this discussion of the “Barbie” movie and its leading to these other Mattel films.
What was the “Barbie” movie made for? It was made to authentically depict women, their struggles, and their pursuit of their purpose.
“Barbie” was not necessarily made so that Mattel could attempt to build a franchise off its success.
Maybe if these films Mattel has lined up have a director like Gerwig, a great cast and a compelling story that has substance separate from the toy itself like “Barbie,” then some of these could turn out to be great movies.
When a great thing is made, the initial reaction is to make more of that thing. However, when something is really and truly great, it is best to let that thing be great. There is no point in trying to live up to it, and Mattel’s future movies will have a hard time living up to the magic of “Barbie.”
“Barbie” is now available to buy or rent on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and other digital platforms.
