This summer saw the release of a live action theatrical experience known as the Barbie movie. It hit box offices in mid July igniting a race to the top with the other blockbuster of the summer Oppenheimer. It had hit 162 million during the opening weekend and continues to get much attention from the audience.
The first trailer dropped back in mid December of last year, and there was much speculation about the direction that the movie would take. Specifically, many people thought it was just going to be a very comedic take of the popular doll Barbie.
While many people of all ages were excited to see it, parents did have concerns about the movie rating, mainly that it was about a kid’s toy so it should be marketed towards kids. The main reason for this rating was the suggestive themes and language that others assumed would go over a child’s head and didn’t worry about it, taking their younger kids to the theater.
Another major controversy about the movie was the validity of the feminist type messages. There are those who say that the messages were too generalized and focused on gender and not the other complications that can make a woman's life difficult. Believing that it doesn’t touch on more modern problems that do occur more frequently than just gender complications.
Others believe that since it's a kid’s movie it doesn’t need to be over complicated with life problems.
However, on the other side, there were people who didn’t like the feminist messages at all, saying those types of messages shouldn’t be in movies advertising for the general public because it could leave kids and teens with bad impressions of the world.
Another major source of controversy with the movie was allegations from several south east Asian countries that the movie took a pro China stance citing a map which appeared to display China's heavily controversial 9 dash line. It was later censored and banned in several countries due to the allegations and other controversies that has caused much of the recent backlash.
Despite the controversy many people still enjoyed the film. They also believed that the message the movie was trying to convey still got through to the majority of their audience.
A student from MHS, Serenity Carrillo, went to see it as soon as it hit the theater,” I really liked the outfits, the hair, and all the pink decorations.” When asked how she felt about the message of the movie she stated,” I almost cried and I thought it was a really good message to give to the audience.” Lastly, she said that she would love to go see it again and that those who she went with also thoroughly enjoyed the movie too.
This seems to be the overall take on the movie, many people had enjoyed the comedy of the movie and all though there is controversy about the movie’s message, people would still go watch it again. It is also important to note that the vast majority of people who did go watch did like it even when some of them disagreed with the direction the movie went with.
It seems like a great movie to enjoy with the family or by yourself if you’re looking for some comedic and overall enjoyable moments.
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