Women in China are telling each other to bring their boyfriends to see 'Barbie' — and to use it as a litmus test for their thoughts on feminism and patriarchy
For some women in China, "Barbie" is more than just a movie — it's also a litmus test for their partner's views on feminism and patriarchy.
The movie has prompted intense social media discussion online, media outlets Sixth Tone and the China Project reported this week, prompting women to discuss their own dating experiences.
One user on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu — a photo-sharing site similar to Instagram that's mostly used by Gen Z women — even shared a guide on Monday for how women can test their boyfriends based on their reaction to the film.
According to the guide, if a man shows hatred for "Barbie" and slams female directors after they leave the theatre, then this man is "stingy" and a "toxic chauvinist," according to Insider's translation of the post. Conversely, if a man understands even half of the movie's themes, "then he is likely a normal guy with normal values and stable emotions," the user wrote.
Women in the US are doing that too.
I guess it works, to a point. If your man throws a Shapiro-esque fit over this movie he probably isn't great to be around the rest of the time.
His critique of it is basically that it's too "woke" but he really has nothing to say about the essential elements of any movie (plot, tone, character development, etc). He's either unable or unwilling to separate politics from his review. It's like he doesn't know a movie can be well made even if you disagree with its themes.
If you ever have (unfortunately) heard of his absolutely dogshit book, then his inability to understand deeper meanings, subtext, themes, and to grapple with a competent plot should not surprise you in the least. Robert Evans, Cody Johnston, and Katy Stoll read it through on Behind The Bastards in a few episodes. Imagine the novelization of a Steven Seagal movie adaption of a Jack Ryan plotline. Combine that with how ol Benny really wanted, and failed, to be a screenplay writer, and it makes sense his absolute hatred for modern Hollywood movies that don't say all the things he likes.
One pump, one cream my friend. I loved those episodes and so many more.
Take a bullet for ya, babe
Interesting. Have you listened to the behind the bastards take on Scott Adams? That's pretty funny too.
I mean, I think it's fine to critique a movie on themes as well. It's a key aspect that makes up a film, like effects, writing, casting, or acting. I don't think critiquing it as "woke" is invalid - it tells his audience a key facet of what they want to know about a movie. If a movie was coming out and someone reviewed it saying the themes were pro-fascist, I'd also want to know that and not attend based off of theme.
I just like that a movie which, in no uncertain terms, advocated for strong, independent men is too "woke" for Ben Shapiro. But I guess if you determine your worth as a man by how much control you have over women, that tracks.
Fascism is an actual defined term. Woke isn't, it just means whatever the user wants it to mean, which is usually something like not wanting some minority group to exist.
Woke is a defined term.
The fact that it's mis-defined or used as a pejorative does not invalidate its definition nor mean it can't be used as a descriptor of a film. It's literally an adjective.
I think "woke" actually does have a definition, put forth by DeSantis's lawyers, IIRC. I don't want to go find it right now, but it was something along the lines of "aware of and acknowledging the existence of systematic racism in the United States."
But more broadly, these days it just means "progressive" without defining any specific arena, so personally, I think woke is a valid way to describe a movie. In fact, if a movie doesn't have at least some "woke" themes, I'm not too interested in seeing it these days.
"Woke" comes from AAVE meaning to be aware of racial prejudice. As in, "you woke up from a dream". It has a definition, it's just that most white people won't take the time to learn it.
"Woke" means whatever anyone wants it to mean at any time.
Or is the theme of the movie about awareness of systemic racism in the US justice system? Haven't seen it myself
Pretty sure he decided what he was going to say before he even saw the movie. He can't admit to liking any part of it becausee of his politics.
I seen a video of another person dismantling his arguments and plot and character development is something he touches on.
Shapiro-esque is such an apt description.
The amount of concern a woman should have about their partner is directly related to the amount of Shapiro that is displayed when complaining about Barbie. I had a few parts I didn't like, but I still enjoyed the movie as a whole. I thought the car chase scenes were so unnecessary and terrible product placement.
Both my wife and i wanted to go equally. I wanted to thirst on Ken and I did...but on the serious note, its a good movie for both genders to see for seperate but equal reasons. Barbie gotta stand up and step out, be herself. and Ken has to learn what it means to be Ken without Barbie. This movie would of helped me not be such an incel in my formative years.
What do you mean? I can't think of anything more stable than a grown man burning children's dolls on the internet after watching a movie based on a toy designed for 6-12 year old girls.
Wait, people weren't joking about that?
I don't think about him at all.
What do I do if my woman does that though?
Watch Oppenheimer, I guess?
I just wanted to know where Ken lived.
He's literally Beach Ken. Why doesn't he just live on the beach?
Either that or ::: spoiler spoiler move back into the Mojo Dojo Casa House since Barbie cleaned it up for him before immediately leaving to be a human. :::
🤣🤣🤣
I'm using that line
It can also work both ways, by seeing how she sees the corporate feminism thrown around by power-hungry corpos only for the profit. Luckily, my gf and I were sharing the same "yeah, it's still divisive and murican corpo trash" mentality about the movie, while both of us saying that it was "almost there"
I have to admit, Barbie becoming a Chinese feminist icon was not on my 2023 bingo card. Anyone taking bets on when we're gonna get a kpop version of this classic?
The Simpsons predicted it.
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Good bot!
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I'm open-source, check me out at GitHub.
We really should have clients redirect to Piped by default
good bot
Barbie starting the revolution in China? Hopefully other countries as well. Good timeline.
Little Pink Cookbook!
Little Pink Cookbook!
Little Pink Cookbook?
You've got to do the cooking by the book ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
YEAH!!!
I was supposed to read this with a lil jon voice, right?
Yes indeed.
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I think you meant "YEAH!!!!!"
I think if anyone gets mad at a Barbie movie or some random article on the internet that has nothing to do with them, that's a good sign they're emotionally unstable
I'd call it emotionally immature.
A surprising number of the people I grew up or work with act like they're still in high school when it comes to social/interpersonal skills -- these people are all well over 30 years old.
I am only 42, but I work with a bunch of 60+ y/os. They never grow out of it from what I can tell. If they are like that in their 30s they'll be like that till they die most of the time.
Tomato, tomato. If you're a grown ass man, emotional immaturity IS instability.
I just treat most people like 16 year Olds and it tends to work out pretty well.
I am genuinely amazed this movie wasn't banned in China
Well they included the nine-dash line in the movies silly map (I believe Vietnam banned the movie because of this) and there's no zombies or Winnie the Pooh references so all good as far as the CCP goes.
9 dash line?
It's a line China drew in the south china sea and claim its theirs for historical reason if I remember correctly.
Pissed off a load of other countries as it claimed some of their ocean defined by international law
Wikipedia link: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine-dash_line
https://twitter.com/rzhongnotes/status/1675936014135619584?s=20
How the fuck can anyone take this seriously is my question. This is not a geopolitical map.
It's China's interpretation of how the South China Sea should be divided. AKA they claim the vast majority of it.
This is an insult to the free world. Fuck the Barbie movie.
If you base your relationship on a fucken Hollywood movie then that should be a litmus test in and of itself.
Also, guys, if your girlfriend constantly feels the need to "test" your relationship, then she's not the right one. Thats a massive red flag.
I mean there's no harm in using a cultural moment as a starting point to see if two people are compatible?
I think the language in the article and perhaps from the influencers is a bit rigid.
I don't think anyone is suggesting that if a man has valid reasons for disliking the movie they are automatically exist. The idea is that the film is causing a knee jerk reaction in men who are otherwise prone to hiding their misogyny.
I didn't get a lot of the inside jokes about the product. And the barbies and Ken's did not unite to kill Will Ferrell.
Wanting to test if your new boyfriend is a misogynist is hardly a red flag. The article doesn't say anything about testing dudes constantly. It doesn't even say he has to like the movie, just understand some of its themes.
It's not basing the relationship off of the movie. It's just a way to test if any red flags come up.
I think it's healthy to observe your partners reaction to things. Especially when it comes to things that are quite important for a long term relationship, like their thoughts about gender roles. If you organically went to see the movie and your partner is clearly displaying red flags from it, then that's just good (not the red flags but that you now know).
I guess the trickery of going to assess them specifically can be seen as a asshole move. But I think it's a good move compared to alternatives ^^
Being manipulative is a good alternative compared to just being direct and asking your partner what they think? I'm sure someone who is going to throw a fit about the Barbie movie will be happy to tell you what they think about feminism if you just ask.
How many dudes on dating apps say they're "not into politics" because they know admitting they're conservative will diminish their dating pool?
Women know better than to only listen to words. They've been trained to watch for actions as well.
I don't see it as more manipulative then to ask leading questions to assess anybodies stance on subjects ^^ Especially when it's a way to shield yourself from real harm that might be caused by the party you are probing information from.
If you're worried about real harm this person should not be your partner. It doesn't matter what they think about a movie.
Sounds like somebody failed the Barbie boyfriend test
because reaction to art can be a good indication to what someone thinks. For example, a negative reaction to the song 'Alabama' by Neil Young might indicate that the person thinks that Alabama is a swell place and people shouldn't be putting it down just because it's government is racist as fuck.
I agree with what you’re saying except I think the Barbie movie has provided a unique and well thought out message that manny have failed to convey and finally feel they’re being heard.
Seeing a movie with someone is part of your experience with them, through which you determine their personality and character, is it not?
I agree that "testing" people is kind of toxic, but the idea that your assessment of a person isn't cumulative and inclusive feels odd.
I thought the movie criticizes both extreme feminism and male chauvinism, or did I watch a different Barbie movie?
That's what the article is saying as well.
Any gendered chauvinism sucks and patriarchy causes suffering to anyone.
And if someone comes out of the movie angered by this knowledge, they can be a troublesome person to other people.
Yeah. Barbie Was not the good guy in the Barbie movie, right? Like, even in the end they admit that they will not give the Kens true equality, just enough that they basically won't revolt again. People here calling Barbie a feminist icon, what movie were you watching?
Obviously she wasn’t the good guy. She developed a nuclear bomb for heaven’s sake. To be fair I did fall asleep for a bit but I’m pretty sure I got the big plot points.
Lmfao what the actual fuck?
I didn't watch the movie, nor do I know anything about the premise, so seeing that comment and thinking about Barbie the toy is absolutely hilarious...
It was a Barbienheimer joke, I think
He's making a joke about Barbenheimer...
That's the point. They blatantly say "someday, the Ken's will have as much rights as women do in the real world"
The entire point is that treating people as second class like thst isn't good, regardless of which side its coming from and that we should all be equal. The only time I'd see men complaining about that is when they don't get it.
That line literally made my jaw drop because I had just been thinking, "Wow this is still kinda messed up. I thought their society would end up much more equal" and then BAM! that line hits. That movie was so good. I've been trying to get everyone I know to see it.
Same. I was thinking the exact same thing at that point. A massive part of the movie's message hinges on that line and I smiled so wide when I heard it because it clicked much of the rest of the film into place.
That example isn't really accurate, they say the Kens eventually will be given the same representativity as the women in the real world. That line is more of a jab against gender inequality than anything.
Yeah. I would not take it that literally. I'd say it means they're gonna do to Kens what "the patriarchy" and many people who support it do to women. Concede rights when they absolutely have to and begrudgingly accept them for the sake of avoiding bigger problems, but still believe in their own supremacy and acting one way while publicly pretending to be accepting of feminism. Then they will say, see, you have all this rights and equality now, no need for "Keninism" anymore and slowly start to backslide and undermine those rights when they feel like they can.
They're rather copying the spirit of real world patriarchy than just plainly introducing the same laws as it
Yes! This is a great way to put it and shows the mirror it's putting up to Western society
Oh that sounds more of a nuanced theme than I was expecting. Cool.
Sure but it’s still them making a conscious choice to keep oppressing a group until an unrelated reality fixes their shit. Doesn’t sound like they’re good guys at all tbh.
I hope you see the irony in that phrase.
This isn't Star Wars my dude, not everything needs to be good vs evil. Sometimes there's even room for satire.
Yeah the movie doesn't paint them as good guys though? The narrator comes in and states that they aren't at that point, and stereotypical Barbie leaves because she can't see herself as taking part in such a system anymore.
I don't think they're supposed to be "good guys".
I think that was the point, it's the perfect mirror to the real world. Everyone not okay with how the Barbies treat the Kens in the end should think for a second why that is and why anyone should accept the reverse in the real world.
It's also kind of a clever subtle call to action. "If you don't like this ending, you can change it by changing things in the real world."
"Stereotypical Barbie" (the Margot Robbie one) actually seems to get it by the end. In fact, her main character arc was going from being like the other barbies—watered down stereotypes of feminism—to actually a feminist who has a better grasp of why just equalizing out positions of power, while still good, does not address the root of patriarchy.
Okay, I'll admit I had not the slightest clue what the plot was to Barbie before opening this post but I'm getting a little curious about this movie now.
It didn't end up in a world that's ready. More like a mirror of the real world but maybe healthier?
I take slight issue with your phrasing. "Extreme feminism" isn't an issue, that's like saying extreme racial equality is an issue. Feminism isn't about female superiority, it's about gender equality. The movie does not criticize extreme feminism, it criticizes chauvinism, whether male or female.
There was a time during the 2010s when third-wave feminism was pushing things too far and trying to create divisive splits on subjects that really didn't need them, like Atheism+ and a bunch of other things with a plus sign tacked on to it. Fortunately, once the #MeToo movement picked up speed, they switched gears to more important things.
So, yes, you can have an extreme view on anything, even feminism.
When your definition of feminism is "gender equality", you're right, there's no such thing as an extreme. When you take the equity stance and start treating people as groups and funding/defunding one group or the other you are building up new systems of discrimination instead of breaking them down.
That is indeed what is in Barbie - if you watch it and actually think about the themes. If you’re just there for the experience then the message is (quote moviegoer behind my back discussing with friends): “goddamn, this is a step in right direction, we won’t change this patriarchal world with one film however“ :P
On a basic level the message “Ken was silly, broke Barbieworld because he wanted to emulate men, they had to get Barbie and a feminist back to fix it” - and that’s what most people will get out of Barbie.
How did he break it? He basically just flipped the genders so Kens are the ruling/working class and Barbies are just subservient eye candy. Barbie just flipped it back. It's a broken and unimaginably unfair world in either case.
When Kens ask just for a bit of equality at the end, they are shut down and given some unimportant appeasement as a joke.
The movie is calling this out on purpose. It's how women are currently treated in western society.
Correct. Honestly, if a dude gets offended by a movie that says “hey dude, learn how to love and value yourself without basing all of your sense of self on your romantic relationship to a woman and you’ll be much happier”, they are NOT a catch at all and they need to shed some shit about their lives.
For those who saw the movie: do you think this test is valid?
As a man, I would say sort of. The movie does not shy away from a very obvious feminist message combined with an unsubtle (hilarious) spoof of toxic masculinity. On the other hand, it's still a matter of personal taste. I really liked the movie, but I could see how someone would find it a bit too simplistic and formulaic in its story, completely independent from its themes. Not liking female directors in general just because they're female is complete bullshit though.
To be fair it doesn't say the boyfriend has the like the movie, just understand it and not bash it mindlessly.
I thought the movie was okay. The visuals were stunning the dance numbers fun (if you're into that, which I am), they did a good job leaning into the comedy world-building and the takes on Ken loving the patriarchy were the most hilarious. Overall I think it did a good job. The story was a bit meh though for me because of how simple it was.
I don't know I one should derive a scientific test out of it, but if a guy gets batshit crazy over the movie, then he might not have the best relation towards independent women.
As a gay man, I say yes. I get to watch the hetero world from the outside and yeah, Barbie nails it. Folks just don't like the mirror.
It's not a movie for my taste as I prefer to watch sci-fi, action, thriller or historical themed movies. So if I was forced or coerced into seeing it, I would probably hate it too. Then again, I haven't seen it so don't really know for sure.
It doesn't say you have to like the movie, just understand its themes.
I tend to prefer similar movies as you and I loved the movie. It is a VERY fantastical, intelligent, existential, and heady movie. It's one of the most expert navigations of complex social dynamics I've ever seen and has an absolute shitload of cinema references and easter eggs to boot.
Don't let the surface fool you. The franchise is just a vehicle for Greta's ideas to reach a mass audience.
The franchise is a vehicle to sell barbies.
Mattel decided this was the best way in the current cultural mood.
Vehicles tend to have space for many things. Writers also tend to not be massive corporations even while speaking for said corporations.
That's like saying The Lego Movie and the Lego Batman movie were a vehicle to sell Legos. That's pretty obviously not all they were, and just because they could sell toys that doesn't mean they weren't also good movies.
I second your opinion and I'm a woman. I just never liked the franchise, no matter how good the movie is, I don't think I'd enjoy watching it either.
You might not like it, but I have huge barbie issues and went with my 11 yo thinking it would be okay and poke a but of fun and have a slightly feminist bent. I truly loved every minute and am surprised how much I did. It is formulaic but done really well.
It's rare, but this franchise owner understands very well that a lot of people hate Barbie. It's even in the trailer "If you love Barbie, this movie is for you. If you hate Barbie, this movie is for you."
I definitely think it would do a fantastic job of baiting out reactions and listening to what someone has to say about it after would probably clue you in on what stood out to them about it. Obviously none of these types of tests can be conclusive, but I'd say if someone came out of the theater super angry then that's pretty telling of something at least. A good starting point for further discussion with that person.
On the whole I thought the movie was hilarious and had a very compassionate message for men at the end of the movie as well.
My biggest issue after watching it has just been having to see braindead takes from people online, swinging in both directions. Lots of "the movie hates men" types but I've also seen a few "DAE, men bad?" tier takes as well which is a bit disheartening.
I don't know if it's defininitive, but I do think it offers good insight into what a person notices when they watch things. There's a whole lot to notice and think about in the movie
It kinda feels like you could come away with any interpretation you want. Like you could say Barbie put down a slave revolt, and its totally valid.
So yeah, maybe the test is valid.
My boyfriend and i can't wait to watch this movie 😊 💕 (but cinema got expensiv dudeee 🥲)
I am sure it won't take long and then it will be available elsewhere.
Please partake in the culture war, don't just let conservatives win by default.
By partaking means paying tickets and trying to make the film the best selling movie.
Guess it ain't happening, so far.
Is it cool if I just don't watch it? It doesn't really appeal to me.
The only reason I have any interest in it is all the conservative jimmy-rustling it's doing.
This. I tried to buy bud light but it's legitimately awful. Seeing barbie twice is a way better option.
Honestly I was the same way going into it, and after watching it my thoughts were "I don't regret watching it, but I wouldn't have regretted missing out either."
The movie is great, and there were multiple moments where I burst out laughing. It's also a really bizarre acid trip, and I mean that in a good way! But at the end of the day, it's a hot pink version of The Lego Movie, down to Will Farrell playing a (less evil and more well-meaning) Lord Business. It's a movie made by women, for women, about a series of toys designed for women. That's not a bad thing by any means, and it's not like men cannot enjoy it, but it also means it may not interest you, and that's fine too.
Same, I just can’t bring myself to care about a movie that’s about toys I have zero nostalgia for.
Heh. I feel like they would need to discontinue the toys before any of us get a chance to develop nostalgia.
I'm not nostalgic for Hot Wheels either. I just go buy a Hot Wheel when I want one.
Man, I need to buy me some Hot Wheels…
I had no prior experiences with any Barbie-related products or media (adult cis white male in the US) and wasn't sure whether I'd enjoy it at all. After seeing it, i honestly think there's something for everyone in this movie. It's exceptionally well-written (very wry) and makes solid points about the current state of patriarchy in our society. It's really well-done. Feel free to wait for it to come out on streaming, but then I'd definitely recommend checking it out.
Of course. I don't care for Barbie either, and never played with the toys during childhood so there's no connection for me. I went to watch with my fiance because it was something she was interested in. The movie was okay. Wasn't great, wasn't horrible. I think when it becomes telling is when people are somehow offended or pretend like it's the worst movie created.
"If you love barbie you'll love the movie!"
"If you hate barbie you'll love the movie!"
Idgaf about barbie so I didn't bother watching.
That means you are a misogynist through and through. /s
Why wouldnt it? It's also cool if you dislike the movie, it's not cool if you dislike female directors "because of this movie"
That's interesting. I read that the film was about radical feminism, but gender switched with Ken as the feminist to overthrow the Barbie-dominating system. Really look forward to seeing the movie.
I think that analogy doesn't work a 100 %. But I guess you could say that the film explores something like that.
But go ahead and watch the film. I enjoyed it very much.
I thought the movie was exceedingly clever and is a shining example of how sometimes a message is more about what it doesn't say that what it does.
That being said, the movie is definitely a rorschach test and you will see what you are primed to believe reflected in it.
My understanding is that the film undercuts most of its social commentary and ends up a wash, so watch it for the absurd interpretation of barbie life.
It's basically about Andrew Tate
They're allowed to watch Barbie in China? How censored is it?
The world map clearly isn't censored
Nothing against female directors, but the movie went from pretty damn good to pretty damn boring after a while.
You've got a fun and quirky beginning that makes light fun of barbie, mattel and patriarchal society. Then you've got the bits where ::: spoiler spoiler Barbie and Ken get to the real world, get arrested twice for doing stupid shit. ::: This part was funny and for a bit there I felt like it was mainly not about driving a message home, but still had SOME things to say. Great! Then you've got the parts where ::: spoiler spoiler Ken went on his own journey to discover patriarchy (which he thought had something to do with horses and was disappointed to find out it didn't), Barbie meets her owner's daughter, goes to Mattel HQ, then gets chased out and rescued by her owner. ::: Many hilarious moments here, poking lots of fun at patriarchy again, but it never felt like it was too on the nose. I mean I kinda expected that from the trailers and everything.
Where the movie started changing for me was when ::: spoiler spoiler Barbie, her owner, and the latter's daughter went back to the Barbie world to help fix the balance, only to find out that the Kens had completely taken over. ::: While the twist was predictable, it was still interesting because I wanted to know how they would resolve it. But it just kinda... fell off after that? At this point you have the expected low point in the protagonist's life, and then they figure out how to fix everything, but it was just so... boring and uninspired somehow. By this point, the movie's quirky and fun nature has worn down its' course and the
::: spoiler spoiler battle of the Kens ::: just did nothing for me anymore.
What's worse, I was expecting ::: spoiler spoiler the Mattel board of directors, particularly Will Ferrell's characters to be villains and instead they just... arrived by the end of the movie and had a change of heart. ::: That subverted my expectations for sure, but not in a good way whatsoever. Slightly reminiscent of the last seasons of Game of Thrones.
And lastly, I really expected the resolution of the plot to have something to do with horses and I was sorely disappointed about that too.
TL;DR: Movie starts out great, but foreshadows things it doesn't follow through on very well, ending is boring and sappy.
How dare you, that dance-off between Simu Liu and Ryan Gosling (and the other Kens) was incredible!
Ken was alright, but Ken really stole the show in that scene.
Eh, I think I liked Ken more.
Your silence on Ken is deafening.
I believe the term is "beach off"
I’ll beach you off right now!
I was just waiting for them to kiss tbh
based
About at the part where ::: spoiler spoiler Barbie is comforting Ken on the bed ::: I said to my partner "It feels like this movie has been ending for a while now," and that was still a good way off from credits. I did appreciate that ::: spoiler spoiler Barbie and Ken didn't end up together, it was a good message that men and women both need to be okay with themselves before they pursue a relationship. I loved the "I am Kenough" shirt. :::
A few issues I had personally (oops wall of text lol): ::: spoiler spoiler They really hold their punches on toxic masculinity. There are no men who are outright misogynistic and believe women to be subhuman. They're all just dumb and misguided. They also made a small attempt to point out that patriarchal society is negative for men too with the "sometimes I wish we could all have tickle fights" bit, but I do wish they would have dug a little deeper into how awful it is that men are expected to never have emotions and bottle up. It was also really weird that the kid called Barbie a fascist... It almost felt like they were using that word wrong on purpose to reduce its meaning, or get Republicans in the audience to roll their eyes at the stupid SJW calling everything they don't like fascist. Also weird that at different points the movie claims Barbie saved women or set them back 50 years...like, it's just a doll. Yes, a popular doll, but it's weird to claim women gained or lost power in society solely because of a doll and not through the actions of feminists and antifeminists. :::
I'm general, I'm happy with the film's lessons, although it feels weird for Hollywood to be the one preaching them to me.
Most of the scenes were pretty enjoyable in isolation. The problem I see is that it feels like they tried to combine two scripts to address the same issue from opposite directions. Either approach could have been good, but each one undercut the other so it just wound up confusedly sabotaging its message.
I can agree with this, the messages got super muddy. They tried to say something about being a woman, being a man, and being a human, but all three were dulled from being stacked on top of each other.
Yeah, I overall liked the movie but there were a lot of questionable moments in it. The point where they recognize that using Margot Robbie for some of their points kinda undercuts the points was odd to me. I also didn't like the child of the movie, I didn't feel like she was really a character.
I really like the fun energy of the movie, it feels like a giant music video and I love that. But the social commentary moments are just so on the nose it just feels weird that it's coming from a movie about Barbie. It feels like it can't decide whether the audience is supposed to be children or nostalgic adults.
As someone who watched it high, too many drastic vibe changes. From a fun laughably corny movie, to this serious 10 minute diatribe about every possible challenge a woman could potentially face in her life really killed the mood. Many of the scenes with the mother/daughter really detracted from the film honestly.
It's like putting jar jar in star wars.
Didn't knew there were that many female directors in China. Let alone having to watch their back to not get sucker-punched for it.
And when ask about the movie, if he says "she's hot" and starts masturbating?
he is horny and you should bonk him
In England bonk is another word for fuck. A bit dated, but still well-known.
That kinda makes sense..
It is in my very unbiased opinion that is totally not a promotion (as that would be against strike rules) that everybody should see this movie.
Multiple times.
Someone tell me gf that I'm a normal guy with normal values and stable emotions please. She doesn't believe me.
I believe you!
Just commenting to beg the universe to get the “I’m just Ken” song out of my head.
Anywhere else I'd be a ten
All this stuff around the movie is making me not want to see it.
I want to watch a movie, not be evaluated on my reaction to it.
I went and watched it with my missus. We laughed throughout and didn't take it seriously, and there were no intense conversations after. I think I'd re-evaluate my relationship if I were being judged on my reaction to a pretty light-hearted comedy about a doll world.
So go watch the movie?
This has big "I'm way too cool and interesting to consume popular thing" energy.
You can go see the movie and form your own opinion and not need to tell everyone online. You can even go see it by yourself!
See what I mean? If not try rereading again what you wrote.
Nah, I really don't.
Are you actually insinuating that the person you responded to should think about things?
The horror!
/S
Nah, just go watch the movie. It's very funny.
Alright. When it comes on Netflix or something
I'mevaluatibg you on tour reactionaire right now!Talke that!
Does stingy have a different meaning than cheap? Seems like a weird thing to infer.
Seems like a language barrier to me. Stingy can mean "ungenerous," which kind of makes sense, but I don't think a native speaker would have chosen that word.
Agreed, it definitely struck me as a possible lost in translation turn of phrase
Out of curiosity since I haven't seen the movie but saw some reviews: is the representation of society (the way they depict it in the movie) meant to be like real life? Or is it more of a satire / exaggeration of it? Because the things that were described in the reviews about the "real world" bits definitely didn't sound like how things appear to be in most parts of Europe that I've been to (or lived in).
The best satire reframes real life in a way that you suddenly see just how insane reality is. The Barbie movie does this very well and it presents real things that still happen every day all over the world in the course of the movie
It's an exaggeration, albeit with merit. Tbh the whole film's pretty surreal. Funny as fuck though and worth a watch
The representation of "real world" is meant to be an exaggeration of real life, both as satire, and to underline issues women face and systematic advantages men receive. I think that part was quite good at doing what it was trying to do, it was funny as well, and Will Ferrell is of course hilarious as CEO.
What didn't really resonate with me, and kind of rubbed me the wrong way, was later in the movie, when "men" were portrayed as being simultaneously incompetent at everything they do, and at the same time manipulative and power hungry. By all means, it was funny, and got the point through, but I think they went too far in portraying the "bad guys" as both stupid and malicious, but also hard to overcome.
I think the message of the movie (the way I understood it) would have gotten through in a better way if they had made the resolution less dependent on the "men are dumb" caricature, and played more to "women are strong", they could maybe even have brought in some "men and women can actually function together if they talk to each other".
I didn't see the Kens as dumb or bad guys. They were toys who took wrong lessons from history by accident. None were bad bad, well maybe Mattel because of profits.
Can't help but be reminded of something.
Satire, Mattel headquarters is MIB/Scooby Doo crossover :D
It's over the top exaggeration to highlight plot points.
I didn't find the purported themes really resonated with me tbh.
The sets and costumes were amazing and there were some funny bits tho.
What would you say some of the themes are? Based on the trailer it's kind of difficult to figure out what the movie is really about.
I'd say it's better to see without any prior knowledge
Honestly everyone should do that lmfao
I feel like this is a transcript of a TikTok video
Do we know if and by how much Barbie is edited for the Chinese market? I'd be curious to see how different a movie it may be for them.
Classic. What countries have insecure men?
All of them?
seconded.
Literally everyone is insecure about something.
I legit don't remember the last time I went to see a movie...maybe like...one of the hobbit films? Or a Pixar flick with my niece? My brain is so addled, I do not recall. Oh well.
OK, I just asked my way more intelligent and practical wife, and it was Dunkirk, with my crazy mother, whos now all into wild conspiracies.
Krystal Ball on breaking points mentioned it just wasn't a great movie and kinda ham fisted pseudo-feminism.
Idk haven't watched it, wife and I are both just like "meh"
There's literal direct to frame exposition about expectations for appearance put on women by Barbie. Meanwhile, a fucking ripped and constantly flexing Ryan Gosling spends 90% of the movie shirtless. Yes, it's completely ham fisted and spends most of its time justifying its existence and letting you know it understands itself when it clearly doesn't.
Ryan Gosling constantly flexing was the best part of that movie
Sounds like a good time
Did you somehow miss the entire exposition near the end of the movie? The Kens learn to respect themselves, do what they like, and learn to be themselves instead of attaching their identity to macho bullshit and how Barbie views them. It was a pretty big scene. Gosling comes to grips that Barbie doesn't love him the way he wants and that he shouldn't value himself based on how she feels about him. He even covers up with a tie dye "I'm Kenough" hoodie, ditching his fake persona.
I almost went to see it two weeks ago with a friend of mine because we were also talking about seeing Oppenheimer afterwards. She cancelled due to a hangover so I'll probably wait until they're on streaming services.
Actually amazed the movie isn't banned in China. I thought that feminism and blatant capitalist ideals wasn't the CCP's thing.
TIL about the Litmus test!
China has more women empowerment compare with other east Asian countries such as Korea and Japan.