If the typical actor made $12 million a year, there would not be a strike. Do some research about how poorly paid the typical actor is and how low their residuals are for streaming.
Me too, also, he is a dressing criticism of the use of the subject matter in a very profesional way: making a distinction between his subjective approach and objective analysis. He find the second act bland and point to some humor that may not be suitable for all people. A 3/5 feels right (even tough, I believe is a 4.3/5 hehehe) It feels good whenever somebody does his job well 😌🩷
Dan has a lot of experence what vocal harcore fans can be like when you don''t rate certain films as the best (or worst in some cases) film in existence.
As someone who absolutely adored this movie from top to bottom (though I agree that the dialog was at times a tad too heavy-handed), I respect and admire you clearly discussing why it didn't land quite as well for you as it did for others.
Honestly coming out of that movie theater, for the first time ever i felt so happy to be a woman! Like I genuinely appreciated myself and i had feelings over coming alot of things because i knew i could do it. America’s speech was necessary because sometimes its nice to have reassurance
I didn't like this movie at all. There were so many really young girls in my theater and they were getting confused/bored in the movie & didn't understand what was going on. It felt like this movie was 100% made for people like me, older adult women who are unhappy with how things are as they enter middle age. The movie did not care about the people who are current fans of Barbie. Imo, it was a movie that needed to thread the needle like Shrek, where it was appealing for kids, and self-aware for adults, and it didn't do that.
I’ve been watching Dan for a long time since his time being Movie Fights champion, but wasn’t keeping up too much with his new content and WOW whenever a new picture is about to be released I always check his channel first for his review and he is a sure daily watch for all his other videos. Dan is the MAN!!
What I love about Greta Gerwig is this really palpable compassion she has for all of her characters. Mattel's board could have been portrayed as glowering capitalist villains but wasn't. She understands they are all trying to find meaning and survive in the socio-economic systems they live under. Her most pointed critique was of the inequitable systems in place, both the patriarchy in 'the real world' as well as the female-led hierarchy in Barbie Land, where the Ken's are second-class citizens. That's what I think a lot of people don't grasp about this film. That she is equally as critical of Barbie Land for what it's doing to its disempowered citizens as she is of 'the real world' and that's what makes Barbie's apology at the end so poignant and cathartic.
I think you hit the nail on the head. This was masterfully done. Really correcting the new wave hyper feminism that was prominent in the early 2020s by using the Barbie landscape to show arguably the only place we could look to that would show how a matriarchy is equally problematic. She also shows great empathy for the fact that modern men feel pressure to operate in a patriarchy they didn't create either. Will Ferrell and Ryan Gosling show great humility in their roles striving to drive home that point. It's all tied to existentialism - which is really the root problem we all struggle with despite belonging to different demographics and belief systems. It's funny that a lot of the right-wing media is trying to crucify this movie, but the stats don't lie. Red states are loving this movie too because it really does a great job of not politicizing these concepts. I think tying it all to existentialism seems like it would be really pretentious and overly deep, but blending that with the humor really takes the politics out of the movie and creates a message that is hard for really any demographic to not connect with. It's also hilarious too. The message never overtakes the humor. Even the few preachy moments are still really funny.
@@user-dc7um4pr3f Good points. The reason I used "female-led hierarchy" instead of a matriarchy is because a matriarchy would be a much more flat structured society than Barbie-Land (which is carbon copy of the patriarchy with gender roles reversed) and would have way more sex, too. Look it up! You guys have been missing out! (Lol!)
One of the few times I disagreed with Dan, but I still love that you can give your opinion without spoling the movie. I loved the movie and found that it managed to find the right tone and not feel preachy for me whilst being very, very funny. I shed tears of laughter watching this, but then again, there were very specific "girl jokes". Now I'll go back to listening to I'm Just Ken for the 100th time today😂
I really appreciate the nuanced reasoning you give for your opinion. I saw this last night and had a similar experience! One of the only people not dressed in pink. Made me think I’d missed out on a memo. I agree I think some of the messaging (and yes that one particular scene) was a bit on the nose. Nevertheless, I had fun (probably because I spotted so many actors I love from other things in this movie) and laughed out loud a lot. One of the best movie watching experiences I’ve had since covid drove a lot of audiences from the cinema.
I receive your thoughts warmly. and thanks for the in-depth review that still didn't spoil anything. I was on the fence about seeing it, but I'm much more curious now. follow up: I saw it today, loved it!
i kinda liked the 'heavy handed' delivery of the message. it was refreshing to watch an incredibly self aware movie that wasn't afraid to be bold in its message, particulalry the monologue by america ferrera felt just like every single frustration/challenge women face every single day being voiced in just an incredibly blunt and real way, rather than being simply preachy in my opinion. idk maybe im just a woman so it appealed to me more lmao
The more heavy handed the message, the more it's directed at simple minds. It was refreshing to not have to think about the film to hard to read the subtext of what the director was trying to say. Doesn't the majority of that monologue apply to the struggles of all sexes and genders of the lower class? Hollywood loves a film that uses the universal experiences of being human to divide people apart inside their own social class.
@@Moloch187And yet people have interpreted this movie in wildly different ways and are angry about it, so maybe the messages needed to be even simpler. It boggles my mind how so many people did not understand that Barbieland was a satire: an inverse representation of real gender roles in a traditional society: the Barbies are the “patriarchy” here, holding all the political power and real estate, while the Kens represent the women, as second class citizens with no political power, no voting rights, no property rights, and entirely dependent on the Barbies, just like women are dependent on men in a traditional patriarchal society. We see the Kens go through their own soft revolution for civil rights, albeit misguided as they initially just want to take over, ending with them understanding that they have self worth independent of the Barbies, and getting some representation in government. By the end of the movie, their road to equality has started, but it is not instant, mirroring the civil rights progress of real women, who had to fight for voting rights and even after achieving them they still had a long way to go before reaching equality. Yet so many folks in online comments seem to believe this movie just hates men.
Hey Dan! In this upcoming edition of Charts, can you include demographics for Barbie and Oppenheimer? I'm curious to see who is going to these two films. I feel like this weekend will defy expectations all over the place. I haven't been excited about a big weekend bill like this in a while.
Im also seeing different reactions from critics being split own gender lines thus far.. all the female TH-camr critics I've seen have been positive ( some overwhelmingly so) most of the males TH-camrs have been mixed . Not to say all men but most have seem feel tis a bit heavy handed as youve said
As I noted, I understand that the film will resonate differently with many audience members, and many women in particular, than it did with me. That's the value of having critics with different life experiences and why it's important to make sure that everyone has a voice in the critical community.
I love how you express your ideas trying to be neutral because , I understand how you felt disconnected. To me the movie was great on the delivery of the message , I agree it could be read a preachy but to me was a YAASSS!! I love how on your face was. Really Brave. I think rather than preach, it was letting women from their heaviness . It’s true.. the movie knows what it’s doing, in my screening there was a massive cheer from the female audience in the monologue and could here a couple or THANK YOUS!! The cheer was also from the queer audience . I loved the female gaze…The changing acts were quite slow but It been a while since a film brings back the surrealism from old Hollywood and really makes the most of it.
I loved this movie because I never seen this movie before, while also knowing the history of Barbie. This is as well researched as Openheimer is. I would recommend watching the history of Barbie, and Ken. Several TH-camrs have done a great job telling it.
Very excited to see this and very interesting that there are very wildly varying opinions among reviews. It certainly looks like a love letter to Old Hollywood Musicals and French Cinema and is approaching a seemingly fluffy topic with a lot of thought. Appreciate your opinion as always and look forward to where it hits for me.
I fully understand your points, though I had a great time with the movie! I particularly enjoyed the way the board members of Mattel moved. It didn't really make a whole lot of sense in the real world - Barbie land setup, but they were delightful
I feel like Barbie would have done good work for feminism if it was released in the 60s. I haven’t seen women pandering to men like would you like a beer honey? I’m so wowed by you! In a hot minute. The world isn’t actually like that. Everyone said “it won’t be what you expect” and I thought that meant a whole new take on love, femininity, feminism, and the rising hatred between men and women. Instead, I feel it’s message will add to it. One of feminism’s biggest obstacles is people (mostly men) believing it means women want to oppress men, and for them to be second class citizens. And the tone, comedy and messaging in this movie screams barbieland is how it should be, and a man feeling so alone, unseen and unwanted he wants to kill himself (Ken) is a comedic moment and a tool that women should manipulate. Everyone is like “that’s the point! It’s satire!” but I don’t know what else you’re meant to take away from it and don’t see how Gerwig didn’t expect it to actually hurt the feminism movement. It feeds into the harmful narrative about feminism, bringing nothing new to the table. Also, Gerwig, who hurt you? You’re insanely cynical about love and love is always unrequited and an obstacle. The perfect society is one with no love (only platonic!), and I was looking forward to seeing a take on Barbie/Ken’s love like we saw in Toy Story. Where masculinity means men can wear pink and love their girlfriends so so much and wear their heart on their sleeve. And don’t even get me started on the plot. So many points just seems to open something interesting and fades away, the mother daughter relationship, the board and Mattel, femininity (at the start). I feel like Gerwig plays it safe with the female/feminist audience, and so decides to never bring any new dialogues to the movie, which is my definition of safe. I think I just expected too much. And I, a left-wing woman, felt too uncomfortable to say I didn’t LOVE this movie in case I seemed anti-feminist.
'the world isn't actually like that'. By 'world', do you mean America? Come to India mate. All the taxi drivers, bus drivers, neurosurgeons, supreme court judges, crane operators, lorry drivers, truck drivers, cardiothoracic surgeons, mechanics, mechanical engineers and most CEOs are men. All married women cook all meals for their husbands. Marital rape is legal. Gay people can't get married. The list goes on and on. So unfortunately, the world is exactly like what is depicted in the movie. You just need to move out of America and travel more.
Totally agree with You, it was not a satire. They say it's a satire when they saw the message was twisted and wrong. The movie Stands on stereotypes to represent the "real World". And the real world Is nothing close to that movie. And the script... So mediocre, no character development, no purpose in them... A lot of argument holes, story doesn't make Sense.... I hated the movie, Is a movie to tell the men: women are delusional, they live in their own unreal world, leave them Alone and go live your life safe away from those sinister beings. I didn't see the message for unity and compassion some people saw.
Just saw Barbie with my family. So smart! I love Greta’s observation of Barbie Land basically being a reverse “Real World” and the realization that both places need to change is super clever. Loved how both Ken and Barbie are both on journeys of self-discovery with the movie showcasing some really good humor, peppy dance/song numbers and the physics in Barbie Land mimicking how kids play with Barbies in real life. The audience I was with was having a blast. One of the best of 2023 and so refreshing to get out of the super-hero and sequel based monotony that Hollywood has been churning out. This is a movie that had something important to say and wasn’t afraid to have fun while doing it.
This is a barbie movie as much as Mindy Kaling's velma was Velma. The dressing is there but once you look deeper you realize that they are not the same.
You think the creator of Barbie and Ken (Ruth Handler) would name Barbie after her daughter Barbara and Ken after her son Kenneth if she created Ken to be an accessory? Being seen as an accessory is part of the new narrative designed to pit the sexes and the races against each other so the majority does not look toward the class system.
What's annoying is that it is just so on the nose. Gerwing is a good filmmaker, but subtlety she can't do. Same thing in little women. She very much went to the "don't look up" school of satire. Also, I believe that a truly bold satire should fight or stand up against something systemic (ie: Dr Strangelove, Life of Brian), not preach to the choir. But whatever. Also, if you need a toy movie to feel validated, you're the problem. Not society
This seems what I expected a fish out of water story taking Barbie out of Barbie land so she can discover herself. That’s why I didn’t get the excitement for this film. But hope people who are enjoy it.
I just watched it on Max. I don't get the hype. It wasn't garbage but I don't see how this movie was the summer blockbuster it was. I'm not even sure what was accomplished in the movie.
I totally agree with you! The preaching took me out of the movie many times. And it was a shame because I was having a lot of fun! I really wished they had done more with Ken. Barbie's ending was beautiful and though out while Ken's seemed like it was planned in five minutes. It's a fun movie, but I was expecting more.
I agree and I felt the same way. I felt the movie lose me the more it progressed toward /that arc/ with Ken and the conclusion to all of /that/ felt unsatisfying. I wanted more. Or something else entirely.
It lost me with the tone. Funny, bouncy, and fun to subversion to overt preaching. I was completely disappointed. I get what it was trying to say, and I live it but I think that's the disappointing part. I was going for escapism, not for a socially "conscious" art house movie.
Made for a corporation about a corporation and used to promote that corporations products... but not corporate art. Ok. I have no idea what people think "corporate" means.
Going in expecting more like the trailers like Dan said, my first clue that it would be different was the packed house of mostly 30-40 year olds with a good amount of young teens and literally 2 children! All his points are very fair
@@_jolie_it’s fair criticism. Some people may have been expecting an easy to watch fantasy movie but got more of a social ethics one. Not everyones cup of tea and that’s alright. People aren’t obligated to like something just because of the underlying messages in the movie
@@Blakosswoke is just politics I don’t like, it’s a meaningless umbrella term, and it really should never be a part of film discourse, having political themes is not inherently a negative, messages in art predate film by fucking millennia.
Good review. Little confused at some stuff. Dan claims if one thought it would be a corporate off the assembly line film it's not, but also goes on to say it covers the same points about society he's seen in many movies and TV shows and has tired comedy stereotypes.
When the success of your channel is based on views it should matter at least a small amount. The TH-cam film critics who I subscribe to have at least an 80% chance that I will like the movie if they do. I'm looking for film recommendations the majority of the time when I click a film review so I want reviews from someone with a proven similar taste in film as me.
I think you have to understand that, for most millennial women, who are in the target demographic for this film, the on-the-nose scene was likely the most seen we’ve ever felt in a piece of media like Barbie. As a woman, that scene hits us differently. All the women in my theatre were crying during that scene which tells you something about how we experience the world. It was simultaneously eye-opening and obvious. That scene is important and poignant.
THIS. Men just don't get it because they don't walk in our shoes. I also find men having a hard time getting the last line the way women do. It's hilarious and I'm still talking about it.
I don’t know, I disagree. I feel like giving us obvious messaging instead of more subtle hints is dumbing us down, and I feel like it (for lack of a better word) insults the audience’s intelligence. If the message is to empower women, and to highlight female power, I think they should have enough faith for the audience to let us read between the lines. Sorry if I sounded too harsh, it’s just what I think.
@@imanis.h.8431 I definitely don't think you are being to harsh... but I liked that it felt kind of obvious to the audience because in the world of the movie it is super unfamiliar to Barbie. This is Barbie's first time being confronted with patriarchy and so she has never had one of those talks with her friends about how those underlying forces can make being a woman just feel bad. And I like that Barbie is able to use that to see that the mere concept of being put into a box or assigned a "role" is the problem.
@@RoseJackson1607Why not? This review seems in line with most others, even by female reviewers such as Perri Nemeroff. It just wasn't his kind of movie
@@RoseJackson1607 Don't trust his opinion too much, especially if you're a brainwashed human driven by corporate Hollywood's agenda to pit the sexes against each other, to distract susceptible minds from more urgent issues like the class system.
Feels like you missed an opportunity to point out that while much of what’s discussed regarding patriarchy and feminism is old news to YOU, it may not be the same for younger audiences
Thanks for another well articulated explanation and review. It was obvious even during the movie that this piece of art is received differently depending on one's own self. Meaning, as a 46 year old straight, married woman who is familiar with Barbie with a doctoral degree in the sciences; my take was very different on what the message actually was meant to be compared to my husband who I dragged along. We watched a different movie and sometimes that's great. I found a lot of your criticisms to have been meant as satirical toward modern society. The pauses also in a "mocking" vein. The items you pointed out as having been "dropped" within the movie were the more impactful points to me. These things were sidelined with purpose in my opinion, leaning toward a multifacet satire. The best satire is done when most of the audience misses out on the joke. I have no idea if it was actually meant this way, but it's definitely art on film and I really appreciated it.
@@TryingToWakeUp-qb7iu I am not sure intelligence is actually the defining factor for this movie. My girlfriends have not seen it yet, it may be a gender difference, but I appreciate your comments. My husband thought Ken's arc in the film was the best and was meant to be satire toward modern "toxic" masculinity. To each their own. I am definitely going to see it again after Oppenheimer!
Funny movie. The point is that both men and women are trapped in their roles. Men feel they need to dominate (or are somehow less manly), and women need to pursue their careers (and not be loser mothers). It calls for balance on both sides. And what's wrong with that?
@alejandromolinac the director choice alone, should have told me everything. I was really hoping it was just going to be a fun tongue-in-cheek comedy kind of like the 21 Jump Street.
PG-13 doesn't mean that kids under 13 aren't allowed in the theater. It means that parental guidance is suggested for kids under 13. 'R' and 'NC-17' are the only restrictive ratings the MPA issues.
I really appreciate these nuanced reviews. I definitely want to see Barbie - it looks visually stunning - but I do feel like expectations need to be managed.
I disagreed with most of your criticisms. My only complaint was that the way we got from the climax to the end was a little clunky. It felt like they knew where they wanted to go, but wrote themselves into a corner trying to get there. It worked well enough in the style of magical realism they created, but it was weaker than other similar things in the film.
Refreshing to hear a man review this in a nuanced way. I've seen a few movie review youtube channels offer nothing but a hysterical meltdown about how Barbie is just two hours of man-hating. Which is ridiculous. Good for you.
I think the “Patriarchy” story should have been left for the sequel. Barbie having an existential crisis is enough of a story on its own. But it was such a joy I don’t really care. It was amazing.
One thing I was worried about with critic reviews is how a potentially different gendered reception to the themes of the film would play out in these analyses. It'd be such a shame if this movie doesn't get the props it deserves because men don't "get it". A number of the women I went to had such a strong emotional response to the Ferrera monologue for example, yet it does seem to be, as you put it "on the nose" with other people, with this negative response skewing male. I respect the fact that that wasn't for you, but would point out that other critics have praised how certain themes were tackled.
This whole Barbenheimer thing is such an American phenomenon! The story of both movies separately are a part of America’s history. But then just the fact that these two films,dealing with completely polar opposite topics, are opening on the same weekend is quite a coincidence. And this event even has its own name-Barbenheimer! And everyone seems equally excited to see both movies. That’s cool.
They both will be strong Oscar contenders with competition in the best supporting actor categories with possible nominations for both Downey and Gosling and Billie Eillish writing and singing an original song for both films.
Nah there's no excitement at all. At the cinema no one is talking about it so only TH-camrs are hyping it up but they're both not hype worthy. This fake hype is for clickbait. Barbie will do better than the bomb movie for sure.
@@jonfreeman9682 Did you even bother looking at the online booking for both movies in your city? That should give you a clear idea if the hype is "fake"!
Yeah, this. I originally thought Oppenheimer would be more my speed (and probably still is), but as the time leading up to the respective openings got closer, I found myself being more curious about both and hoping both do well.
Love your reviews Dan. I think the heavy-handedness in themes and messages is one of the things that bothers me most about films especially in recent times, because as much as I agree, it makes me feel like the movie thinks I don’t or thinks I’m too stupid to understand without being explicitly told what I should think
100% this. Messages in mainstream Hollywood movies used to be subtle so people can enjoy them, while thinking about the subject themselves. Nowadays it’s so down our throat that they feel like God’s Not Dead or any other faith based films. Being preached at constantly is annoying, one side or the other.
@@bengirard1984Too subtle wasn't that great though, because audiences could pretend they didn't notice what the movie was trying to say and so it achieved very little.
@@_jolie_ I get your point, but that's debatable. Personally, I've always preferred movies, books, etc that will make me think by myself and learn something along the way. It's ok to have a documentary or a movie that has a strong message but these days, it's to an extent that if you don't agree with that said strong message, you're a bad person. That's the problem. Subtlety comes a long way when you need to have a conversation about something. Screaming/preaching will maybe work with some people but definitely not everyone. And even if some people don't agree or don't notice the message like you say..it's their own prerogative. People has the right to want to be entertained without being constantly reminded of a message. That's why, for example, I'm not religious at all. Nowadays, many movies feel like that : a church.
@@bengirard1984 the thing is, our society is SO divided on so many subjects these days that yeah, movies will have to be more radical and tell you you're either with us or with them as well. Circumstances force people to push back hard because they can't afford to let things slide anymore. Anyway as for Barbie and the delivery of its message, I can tell you that it's not trying to guilt-trip anyone or to make men feel bad about themselves. Unless you're a "But not all men...!" type of person, you get it and you laugh at what the movie is mocking as much as the women are.
@@_jolie_ I agree that we are really divided overall, I really do and it sucks big time, but ''movies will have to be more radical and tell you you're either with us or with them as well. '', that I wholeheartedly disagree and I always will. Extremism, fanatism and radicalism never, ever bring (or brought) something good, only chaos. Forcing people to believe what you believe is wrong(not saying that you do, I speak in general terms). Movies also don't ''need'' to do anything. They are not schools, congress or what have you. They are mercantile art and entertainment. Not real life. Yes having messages can be part of them, of course they can, but they don't need to have one specifically or educate people. Trust me...if the tides would turn in society and the pendulum would go completely to the other side, Hollywood would have no shame of putting out extreme right movies about god, Jesus, sins and all that. And the result would be the same : Division. And I say all this as a director/video editor myself...I just hope we can come back to more stories that everyone can enjoy without starting a culture/political war. I'm getting tired of that to be honest. Now for Barbie specifically, personally it wasn't really on my radar but I'll maybe watch it on streaming. It's really low on my list to be honest lol But I was curious to hear my favorite reviewers what they had to say about the movie! Cheers!
Hot Take? I don't think this movie is for kids and I don't understand why someone would bring their kid. This movie was for those who grew up with Barbie and are grown. Not those currently growing up.
I'm seeing the movie next week, and I have a feeling I will be among the people who love it, but I also think I am very much the very specific target audience for this movie. And I can't take issue with anything you're saying, Dan, because I haven't seen the movie yet. I have certainly had issues with Greta Gerwig's previous movies, though I liked them on the whole. Frankly I had low expectations when the idea for a live-action Barbie movie first started bubbling up in the media, so to have an end product that gets a 'higher end it's fine' from you feels like a victory to me. 😁I was always just hoping the movie wouldn't suck, if the major criticism is that its a little too on the nose with the messaging, that's something I can live with.
Critics need to learn from Dan as he once again offers his honest views while breaking down *specific* reasoning that has some merit to it as opposed to devolving into "I oppose = bad" Well done.
WHEN THE MESSAGE IS THIS OBVIOUS, THEN WHY AM I STILL LIVING IN THIS WORLD? you will get punched in the face with this message over and over again, until something CHANGES! i'm over subtlety. this movie is female rage and i love it!
that said, i agree with your point on a describing level. it's just that i think, it's the right move for this movie. and yes, the martel boss and alan were kinda mixed in the shuffle. i disagree though, that the critic on barbie by the tween girl wasn't picked up again. it's literally what the human woman said: it's not enough, that barbie is beautiful and a president etc. she also needs to be a feminist icon who defies beauty expectations. it's just too much.
I went to see it with a 6-year-old and I really appreciated how the movie somehow managed to be for adults and kids at the same time. While the identity politics and social criticism for sure flew over my kids' head, she still managed to follow the plot in her own way, which I thought was really great storytelling.
The best part about the movie is that it will introduce thoughts about what it means to live as a man vs as a woman in our society to kids that have likely not given it much consideration.
@@dani01949 *Spoilers for those who haven't seen yet* She understood that the Real World was less fun for Barbie (without fully understanding the patriarchy thing) and was upset when Ken stole Barbie's house and made it ugly. So I think for her the main gist of the story was how the Barbies got back their land and that Barbie decides to become human. (Also, she now wants a slide that goes from her bedroom to the pool.)
I am taking my gf to see this Saturday for her birthday. She nor I is/was aware this movie had a "message". She doesn't normally go for preachy movies, one way or another, but I can't bring myself to tell her because she has looked forward to seeing this movie since it was announced.
I’m in a similar boat, but thankfully we haven’t planned the date yet. I hope she likes it anyways, man; it’s worth a shot for her to go in blind. Good luck!
Through a SNFU on my part, I ended up buying the wrong tickets, and had to get a refund. I took the opportunity to explain what Barbie was about, and we decided to see Oppenheimer instead. Great movie!
Went on Wednesday here in Adelaide, Australia. .I'm 64 and went with wife and grand daughter...I was gearing up for a snooze fest...but was SURPRISED. Movie was winking at the audience most of the time, and if there was a message, grand daughter missed it , so it was aimed at a few previous generations of girls...so if it was about female empowerment .it was very mild..
ngl as 27 years old woman who considers herself a feminist (naturally), I was expecting or at least strongly hoping to have my life changed just a bit by the movie, to have a "wow this changed me a little and I feel seen" moment, I adored the promotional content they gave us, liked what I was seeing in the first trailer, expected the movie to be one way... Having now seen the movie, I can say that I'm a bit disappointed by it. It wasn't exactly what I thought it was gonna be. It wasn't what I expected. I didn't adore the way it tried to deliver its message, I wasn't impressed by its lack of subtlety, some of it felt forced, some scenes felt too long and off, I found the third act to be especially weak for example. I'm bummed about it tbh but hey, that's life! Not every movie you expect to become a cult favorite in your life can always deliver. I laughed a lot (first act of the movie especially), liked the acting from Margot and Ryan, saw great outfits and set pieces. It's all good!
I went to see Barbie yesterday and completely agree! (There might be some spoilers here, so don't read on if you don't want to see them) I think another thing that would have improved the movie is if they had committed more to the Barbies and Kens (and Midge and Allan) acting exactly like what these dolls would have acted like if children were playing with them. They did that right for the most part, but where it fell flat for me is that the dolls were aware of terms that kids who are still playing with them (let's say 3 to 9) usually aren't that familiar with. When I still played with Barbies, I didn't know what feminism was and I only learned the term patriarchy much, much later. Those words not being used (or being used much less) could make the movie way less preachy. It could have been enough for Ken to see that in the real world, men aren't only not treated like accessories and that they actually hold positions of power. That in itself would have been enough, Ken could have just said to the other Kens that in the real world, men are treated with more respect and they hold positions of power - no need to throw around the word "patriarchy". The story also felt rushed to me and it would have been nice if certain parts of the story and certain terms were elaborated on more. For example, what would the next step be when Barbie is put back in the box? What were the actual ramifications and the aftermath of the Skipper debacle? It would also have been nice to see HOW the Kens got more emancipated in the end, not just that there are vague plans to make it happen. Are the Kens going to school? Are they learning on the job? Are they finally getting to live in their own houses? I rarely say this about any movie, but since Barbie was on the shorter side, it might have benefited from being a bit longer, so the plot would have been less sloppy. Many, many thoughts on my part.
@@DanMurrellMovies I'll never forget finding that figure at a flea market in the 90s. Couldn't believe they'd made one. Couldn't leave the place without him. Still have it to this day. 👍
I really enjoyed watching this film. This one feels like it shines through its weaknesses. It makes some very interesting commentaries on society while touching various topics about our place in the world, the meaning of ideas and symbols, and the separation of ideas and reality. Is a movie that's very self aware that its a movie, and at times feels like an add and at times feels like a video essay. I think the delivery of the message is imperfect, in the way they handle some parts of the storytelling, like using a voice over narrator, or not completely resolving Ken's arch. But the tone and the messages help keep everything together. I think the movie takes risks because is trying to engage with the audience not just through the story itself, but with the questions it gives the audience, so the overall experience is a different kind of immersion. The actors don't necessary break the fourth, but the dialogues feel as if they are written for them, and at times it feels like its voicing the thoughts of the audience. l I'd like to think this is within the metamordern filmmaking explained by Thomas Flight.
Dan, I appreciate the nuanced approach in your reviews. Though we don't have the same tastes in movies or TV shows, I can always count on your reviews to provide me with enough information to make a well informed decision.
If anyone has seen the show Big Little Lies (Season 1 to be specific), that show taught me struggles of womanhood more effectively without being too preachy. Made me get closer to filling in the shoes of what women go through. Definitely a hard review to give, but I appreciate how you approached this review, Dan. I love the themes, but I just wish they didn’t feel dumbed down.
I thought Allan was a very important character. For one he along w Sugar Daddy Ken and Earing Ken are the only male dolls that don't buy into the Neo Kenservative movement. He is an analogue to Blue Shirt mattel Guy as representations of men who don't byu into the patriarcy.
Just came back from this and not only was i deeply affected by the movie on a cellular level, but i was also a little moved at seeing an entirely sold out screening, something i don't think I've seen since NWH. But even more moving was the fact that unlike most other packed theatre experiences ive had for the likes of mcu movies which are predominantly filled by lads, this was filled with ladies, groups of friends, mother's and daughters you name it. I honestly don't think I've ever seen the likes. It just goes to show how well a movie can do when it is unapologetically yet authentically made for women(girlies, gals and non binary pals)
A nuanced and honest review that doesn't resort to being mean-spirited and irrational. Yet another reminder of why Dan is such a good critic.
👏👏👏Love the quick shade that David Zaslav made $39 million but can't afford to pay writers and actors. 👏👏👏
Yeah haha it was a sudden little stab and then he moved right on lol, satisfying
Right, because those selfless martyrs have been working for minimum wage until their brave strike 😂
@@danielhubbard2703 Don't you want to be properly compensated for your work don't be corny
Robbie and Gosling are getting $12 million for this movie. Seems like liveable wage to me.
If the typical actor made $12 million a year, there would not be a strike. Do some research about how poorly paid the typical actor is and how low their residuals are for streaming.
I love that dan can give clear reasoning for how he felt about a movie without spoiling it Thanks dan 👍
Agree I do too
Agreed! I don’t watch trailers for movies I’m excited about and I really appreciate it
And gives a rating. Most reviews don't even bother.
Me too, also, he is a dressing criticism of the use of the subject matter in a very profesional way: making a distinction between his subjective approach and objective analysis. He find the second act bland and point to some humor that may not be suitable for all people. A 3/5 feels right (even tough, I believe is a 4.3/5 hehehe)
It feels good whenever somebody does his job well 😌🩷
Yes. I had to turn off a big name crutic because he was spoiling plot details.
That plumbers union stuff is the funniest thing I heard all week
Okay but I would love to see a pro labor Mario movie
😂😅”So this are my somewhat complicated thoughts on Barbie and I’m sure everyone will receive them warmly”. 😅😂
Dan has a lot of experence what vocal harcore fans can be like when you don''t rate certain films as the best (or worst in some cases) film in existence.
Give a good review or face the wrath of the Barbie fan army 😅😅
@@udaygorade8697 THE BARBIERIANS.
I love how you slipped in David Zaslov’s salary in regards to the writer’s strike without skipping a beat. Great review!
Murrell is already my no 1 reviewer because of this!
Hes a Capricorn, we can shade with the best lol
@@heavenlyjadedI love Capricorns. Y’all are the best partners!
@@tmarie69 awe thanks! I try to be for my husband's sake lol Dan's birthday it the day before mine. i truly geeked out about that lol
@@heavenlyjaded As long as you don't actually believe that. :)
As someone who absolutely adored this movie from top to bottom (though I agree that the dialog was at times a tad too heavy-handed), I respect and admire you clearly discussing why it didn't land quite as well for you as it did for others.
The film was shite.
I would totally watch the Super Mario Union Organizer Brothers movie
This was so eloquently stated by dan. This is what you call a professional movie critic.
Honestly coming out of that movie theater, for the first time ever i felt so happy to be a woman! Like I genuinely appreciated myself and i had feelings over coming alot of things because i knew i could do it. America’s speech was necessary because sometimes its nice to have reassurance
That really was a Fantastic scene by America, what great writing too.
I didn't like this movie at all. There were so many really young girls in my theater and they were getting confused/bored in the movie & didn't understand what was going on. It felt like this movie was 100% made for people like me, older adult women who are unhappy with how things are as they enter middle age. The movie did not care about the people who are current fans of Barbie. Imo, it was a movie that needed to thread the needle like Shrek, where it was appealing for kids, and self-aware for adults, and it didn't do that.
I’ve been watching Dan for a long time since his time being Movie Fights champion, but wasn’t keeping up too much with his new content and WOW whenever a new picture is about to be released I always check his channel first for his review and he is a sure daily watch for all his other videos. Dan is the MAN!!
What I love about Greta Gerwig is this really palpable compassion she has for all of her characters. Mattel's board could have been portrayed as glowering capitalist villains but wasn't. She understands they are all trying to find meaning and survive in the socio-economic systems they live under. Her most pointed critique was of the inequitable systems in place, both the patriarchy in 'the real world' as well as the female-led hierarchy in Barbie Land, where the Ken's are second-class citizens. That's what I think a lot of people don't grasp about this film. That she is equally as critical of Barbie Land for what it's doing to its disempowered citizens as she is of 'the real world' and that's what makes Barbie's apology at the end so poignant and cathartic.
I think you hit the nail on the head. This was masterfully done. Really correcting the new wave hyper feminism that was prominent in the early 2020s by using the Barbie landscape to show arguably the only place we could look to that would show how a matriarchy is equally problematic. She also shows great empathy for the fact that modern men feel pressure to operate in a patriarchy they didn't create either. Will Ferrell and Ryan Gosling show great humility in their roles striving to drive home that point.
It's all tied to existentialism - which is really the root problem we all struggle with despite belonging to different demographics and belief systems.
It's funny that a lot of the right-wing media is trying to crucify this movie, but the stats don't lie. Red states are loving this movie too because it really does a great job of not politicizing these concepts. I think tying it all to existentialism seems like it would be really pretentious and overly deep, but blending that with the humor really takes the politics out of the movie and creates a message that is hard for really any demographic to not connect with.
It's also hilarious too. The message never overtakes the humor. Even the few preachy moments are still really funny.
Do you think Mattel will allow that 😂
@@travisbickle4360 that's a fair point lmao
@@travisbickle4360 Point taken but they did allow themselves to look like buffoons at times and clueless purveyors of patriarchy.
@@user-dc7um4pr3f Good points. The reason I used "female-led hierarchy" instead of a matriarchy is because a matriarchy would be a much more flat structured society than Barbie-Land (which is carbon copy of the patriarchy with gender roles reversed) and would have way more sex, too. Look it up! You guys have been missing out! (Lol!)
"Those are my somewhat complicated thoughts on Barbie I'm sure everyone will receive them warmly " famous last words 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
There was a solid undertone of sarcasm in his delivery for sure. :)
One of the few times I disagreed with Dan, but I still love that you can give your opinion without spoling the movie. I loved the movie and found that it managed to find the right tone and not feel preachy for me whilst being very, very funny. I shed tears of laughter watching this, but then again, there were very specific "girl jokes". Now I'll go back to listening to I'm Just Ken for the 100th time today😂
I really appreciate the nuanced reasoning you give for your opinion.
I saw this last night and had a similar experience! One of the only people not dressed in pink. Made me think I’d missed out on a memo.
I agree I think some of the messaging (and yes that one particular scene) was a bit on the nose. Nevertheless, I had fun (probably because I spotted so many actors I love from other things in this movie) and laughed out loud a lot.
One of the best movie watching experiences I’ve had since covid drove a lot of audiences from the cinema.
I receive your thoughts warmly. and thanks for the in-depth review that still didn't spoil anything. I was on the fence about seeing it, but I'm much more curious now.
follow up: I saw it today, loved it!
i kinda liked the 'heavy handed' delivery of the message. it was refreshing to watch an incredibly self aware movie that wasn't afraid to be bold in its message, particulalry the monologue by america ferrera felt just like every single frustration/challenge women face every single day being voiced in just an incredibly blunt and real way, rather than being simply preachy in my opinion. idk maybe im just a woman so it appealed to me more lmao
The more heavy handed the message, the more it's directed at simple minds. It was refreshing to not have to think about the film to hard to read the subtext of what the director was trying to say. Doesn't the majority of that monologue apply to the struggles of all sexes and genders of the lower class? Hollywood loves a film that uses the universal experiences of being human to divide people apart inside their own social class.
@@Moloch187And yet people have interpreted this movie in wildly different ways and are angry about it, so maybe the messages needed to be even simpler.
It boggles my mind how so many people did not understand that Barbieland was a satire: an inverse representation of real gender roles in a traditional society: the Barbies are the “patriarchy” here, holding all the political power and real estate, while the Kens represent the women, as second class citizens with no political power, no voting rights, no property rights, and entirely dependent on the Barbies, just like women are dependent on men in a traditional patriarchal society.
We see the Kens go through their own soft revolution for civil rights, albeit misguided as they initially just want to take over, ending with them understanding that they have self worth independent of the Barbies, and getting some representation in government. By the end of the movie, their road to equality has started, but it is not instant, mirroring the civil rights progress of real women, who had to fight for voting rights and even after achieving them they still had a long way to go before reaching equality.
Yet so many folks in online comments seem to believe this movie just hates men.
Hey Dan! In this upcoming edition of Charts, can you include demographics for Barbie and Oppenheimer? I'm curious to see who is going to these two films. I feel like this weekend will defy expectations all over the place. I haven't been excited about a big weekend bill like this in a while.
It’s hilarious that Dan was the only one in the screening not wearing ALL PINK! 😂🤣😂 💖💝🎀💅💁🏼♀️💕
Not the only one - but we did all unconsciously gravitate to the back, hahaha.
Im also seeing different reactions from critics being split own gender lines thus far..
all the female TH-camr critics I've seen have been positive ( some overwhelmingly so) most of the males TH-camrs have been mixed .
Not to say all men but most have seem feel tis a bit heavy handed as youve said
As I noted, I understand that the film will resonate differently with many audience members, and many women in particular, than it did with me. That's the value of having critics with different life experiences and why it's important to make sure that everyone has a voice in the critical community.
Men and women are different...who woulda thought eh :) but yeah agree!
@@DanMurrellMovies Does that include Toxic Fandom youtube site. There are losing it.
@@DanMurrellMoviesCurious to know what your fiancé thinks of the movie tbh
She disliked it a lot more than I did and felt like the movie was pandering to her.
I love how you express your ideas trying to be neutral because , I understand how you felt disconnected. To me the movie was great on the delivery of the message , I agree it could be read a preachy but to me was a YAASSS!! I love how on your face was. Really Brave. I think rather than preach, it was letting women from their heaviness . It’s true.. the movie knows what it’s doing, in my screening there was a massive cheer from the female audience in the monologue and could here a couple or THANK YOUS!! The cheer was also from the queer audience . I loved the female gaze…The changing acts were quite slow but It been a while since a film brings back the surrealism from old Hollywood and really makes the most of it.
I loved this movie because I never seen this movie before, while also knowing the history of Barbie. This is as well researched as Openheimer is. I would recommend watching the history of Barbie, and Ken. Several TH-camrs have done a great job telling it.
Dan: *has thoughts*. Me: You didn't wear any PINK!
Very excited to see this and very interesting that there are very wildly varying opinions among reviews. It certainly looks like a love letter to Old Hollywood Musicals and French Cinema and is approaching a seemingly fluffy topic with a lot of thought. Appreciate your opinion as always and look forward to where it hits for me.
I fully understand your points, though I had a great time with the movie! I particularly enjoyed the way the board members of Mattel moved. It didn't really make a whole lot of sense in the real world - Barbie land setup, but they were delightful
I feel like Barbie would have done good work for feminism if it was released in the 60s. I haven’t seen women pandering to men like would you like a beer honey? I’m so wowed by you! In a hot minute. The world isn’t actually like that. Everyone said “it won’t be what you expect” and I thought that meant a whole new take on love, femininity, feminism, and the rising hatred between men and women. Instead, I feel it’s message will add to it. One of feminism’s biggest obstacles is people (mostly men) believing it means women want to oppress men, and for them to be second class citizens. And the tone, comedy and messaging in this movie screams barbieland is how it should be, and a man feeling so alone, unseen and unwanted he wants to kill himself (Ken) is a comedic moment and a tool that women should manipulate. Everyone is like “that’s the point! It’s satire!” but I don’t know what else you’re meant to take away from it and don’t see how Gerwig didn’t expect it to actually hurt the feminism movement. It feeds into the harmful narrative about feminism, bringing nothing new to the table. Also, Gerwig, who hurt you? You’re insanely cynical about love and love is always unrequited and an obstacle. The perfect society is one with no love (only platonic!), and I was looking forward to seeing a take on Barbie/Ken’s love like we saw in Toy Story. Where masculinity means men can wear pink and love their girlfriends so so much and wear their heart on their sleeve.
And don’t even get me started on the plot. So many points just seems to open something interesting and fades away, the mother daughter relationship, the board and Mattel, femininity (at the start). I feel like Gerwig plays it safe with the female/feminist audience, and so decides to never bring any new dialogues to the movie, which is my definition of safe.
I think I just expected too much. And I, a left-wing woman, felt too uncomfortable to say I didn’t LOVE this movie in case I seemed anti-feminist.
Its supposed to be comedy though. They are exaggerating.
'the world isn't actually like that'. By 'world', do you mean America?
Come to India mate. All the taxi drivers, bus drivers, neurosurgeons, supreme court judges, crane operators, lorry drivers, truck drivers, cardiothoracic surgeons, mechanics, mechanical engineers and most CEOs are men. All married women cook all meals for their husbands. Marital rape is legal. Gay people can't get married. The list goes on and on. So unfortunately, the world is exactly like what is depicted in the movie. You just need to move out of America and travel more.
@@silverstarlight9395yeah, go and screen this movie in India, and see what happen...
Totally agree with You, it was not a satire. They say it's a satire when they saw the message was twisted and wrong. The movie Stands on stereotypes to represent the "real World". And the real world Is nothing close to that movie. And the script... So mediocre, no character development, no purpose in them... A lot of argument holes, story doesn't make Sense.... I hated the movie, Is a movie to tell the men: women are delusional, they live in their own unreal world, leave them Alone and go live your life safe away from those sinister beings. I didn't see the message for unity and compassion some people saw.
Just saw Barbie with my family. So smart! I love Greta’s observation of Barbie Land basically being a reverse “Real World” and the realization that both places need to change is super clever. Loved how both Ken and Barbie are both on journeys of self-discovery with the movie showcasing some really good humor, peppy dance/song numbers and the physics in Barbie Land mimicking how kids play with Barbies in real life. The audience I was with was having a blast. One of the best of 2023 and so refreshing to get out of the super-hero and sequel based monotony that Hollywood has been churning out. This is a movie that had something important to say and wasn’t afraid to have fun while doing it.
This is a barbie movie as much as Mindy Kaling's velma was Velma. The dressing is there but once you look deeper you realize that they are not the same.
men finding it "preachy" is so funny to me given the film they're rewieving xD
Already got my pink shirt picked out for Friday night. Equally excited for this and Oppenheimer.
! watched barbie today, it was funny, good movie. Oppenheimer next
@@SideEffects297 that’s great I’m glad you liked it! I’m sure I will too.
Got my atomic bomb shirt picked out for Friday night haha
I think the joke of Ken is that he is one note. He is just an accessory to Barbie. That might be why some of his material was one note.
You think the creator of Barbie and Ken (Ruth Handler) would name Barbie after her daughter Barbara and Ken after her son Kenneth if she created Ken to be an accessory? Being seen as an accessory is part of the new narrative designed to pit the sexes and the races against each other so the majority does not look toward the class system.
What's annoying is that it is just so on the nose. Gerwing is a good filmmaker, but subtlety she can't do. Same thing in little women. She very much went to the "don't look up" school of satire.
Also, I believe that a truly bold satire should fight or stand up against something systemic (ie: Dr Strangelove, Life of Brian), not preach to the choir. But whatever. Also, if you need a toy movie to feel validated, you're the problem. Not society
This seems what I expected a fish out of water story taking Barbie out of Barbie land so she can discover herself. That’s why I didn’t get the excitement for this film. But hope people who are enjoy it.
I just watched it on Max. I don't get the hype. It wasn't garbage but I don't see how this movie was the summer blockbuster it was. I'm not even sure what was accomplished in the movie.
I totally agree with you! The preaching took me out of the movie many times. And it was a shame because I was having a lot of fun! I really wished they had done more with Ken. Barbie's ending was beautiful and though out while Ken's seemed like it was planned in five minutes. It's a fun movie, but I was expecting more.
I agree and I felt the same way. I felt the movie lose me the more it progressed toward /that arc/ with Ken and the conclusion to all of /that/ felt unsatisfying. I wanted more. Or something else entirely.
It lost me with the tone. Funny, bouncy, and fun to subversion to overt preaching. I was completely disappointed.
I get what it was trying to say, and I live it but I think that's the disappointing part. I was going for escapism, not for a socially "conscious" art house movie.
Im looking forward to this but also hope after this and Narnia, that Gerwig goes back to making movies about regular life in Sacramento at some point.
Made for a corporation about a corporation and used to promote that corporations products... but not corporate art. Ok. I have no idea what people think "corporate" means.
I’d really love to watch a double bill of Barbie and Blade Runner 2049, just to see serious Gosling and silly Gosling back to back.
You could just watch the nice guys instead
hell yes.
Going in expecting more like the trailers like Dan said, my first clue that it would be different was the packed house of mostly 30-40 year olds with a good amount of young teens and literally 2 children! All his points are very fair
The only question that needs answering: was Barbie invited to any partying?
She's the one doing the inviting
I loved it. Hilarious; Ryan Gosling stole the show. Definitely enjoyed it.
It was so bad I almost walked out, woke, poor writing, cringe dialogue, etc.
@@IVXKR Definitely not a movie for everybody.
@@IVXKRWhen "woke" is one of your arguments against the movie then... Yeah, anyway...
@@_jolie_it’s fair criticism. Some people may have been expecting an easy to watch fantasy movie but got more of a social ethics one. Not everyones cup of tea and that’s alright. People aren’t obligated to like something just because of the underlying messages in the movie
@@Blakosswoke is just politics I don’t like, it’s a meaningless umbrella term, and it really should never be a part of film discourse, having political themes is not inherently a negative, messages in art predate film by fucking millennia.
Just watched OPPENHEIMER last night in Los Angeles, it was great! I can't wait to hear your thoughts!
Good review.
Little confused at some stuff. Dan claims if one thought it would be a corporate off the assembly line film it's not, but also goes on to say it covers the same points about society he's seen in many movies and TV shows and has tired comedy stereotypes.
Dan…whether or not anyone agrees or disagrees with your thoughts on a film, shouldn’t matter at all to you. 💯
When the success of your channel is based on views it should matter at least a small amount. The TH-cam film critics who I subscribe to have at least an 80% chance that I will like the movie if they do. I'm looking for film recommendations the majority of the time when I click a film review so I want reviews from someone with a proven similar taste in film as me.
@@Moloch187 So he should twist his opinions and lie to appease the masses
@@ompatel5570 What are you talking about stupid? Quote where I said "he should twist his opinions and lie to appease the masses". You can't can you.
Kind of want to see a Masters of the Universe done in this way. Imagine all the 80s toys brought to life in that way.
Now that’s a great idea. I would love to see the real-world version of the play-sets
Great idea
Thanks for what you do Dan ! Always looking forward to
Your videos !
I think you have to understand that, for most millennial women, who are in the target demographic for this film, the on-the-nose scene was likely the most seen we’ve ever felt in a piece of media like Barbie. As a woman, that scene hits us differently. All the women in my theatre were crying during that scene which tells you something about how we experience the world. It was simultaneously eye-opening and obvious. That scene is important and poignant.
THIS. Men just don't get it because they don't walk in our shoes. I also find men having a hard time getting the last line the way women do. It's hilarious and I'm still talking about it.
We were all crying in my screening too.
I don’t know, I disagree. I feel like giving us obvious messaging instead of more subtle hints is dumbing us down, and I feel like it (for lack of a better word) insults the audience’s intelligence. If the message is to empower women, and to highlight female power, I think they should have enough faith for the audience to let us read between the lines. Sorry if I sounded too harsh, it’s just what I think.
@@imanis.h.8431 I definitely don't think you are being to harsh... but I liked that it felt kind of obvious to the audience because in the world of the movie it is super unfamiliar to Barbie. This is Barbie's first time being confronted with patriarchy and so she has never had one of those talks with her friends about how those underlying forces can make being a woman just feel bad. And I like that Barbie is able to use that to see that the mere concept of being put into a box or assigned a "role" is the problem.
@blondie556 men don't get it because we feel the way she described in that scene, they aren't female exclusive emotions
I get the points you critic. I loved the movie, haven't had so much fun at the cinema in a long time.
Dan, you’re my Man. I agreed with the heavy handed scences. Too much dance aswell. The Actors were the best. Ending was under wellming.
I wore black top and pink pants as a joke, but as it turned out, I was just well-adjusted to the crowd at my screening xD
Loved your review! Although it sounds like what I feared about this movie has happened. 💕 to you and your channel!
don't trust his opinion too much, especially if you're a woman
@@RoseJackson1607Why not? This review seems in line with most others, even by female reviewers such as Perri Nemeroff. It just wasn't his kind of movie
@@RoseJackson1607I agree with Dan entirely and I'm a 27yo woman, wdym?
@@RoseJackson1607 We're not going to line Warner Brothers' pockets to see something that's not what's advertised... nice try, though!
@@RoseJackson1607 Don't trust his opinion too much, especially if you're a brainwashed human driven by corporate Hollywood's agenda to pit the sexes against each other, to distract susceptible minds from more urgent issues like the class system.
Pretty rare I have three movies I want to see in theaters at the same time: barbie, oppenheimer and MI
Feels like you missed an opportunity to point out that while much of what’s discussed regarding patriarchy and feminism is old news to YOU, it may not be the same for younger audiences
The David Zaslov take down haha. Bravo. Great review.
Thanks for another well articulated explanation and review. It was obvious even during the movie that this piece of art is received differently depending on one's own self.
Meaning, as a 46 year old straight, married woman who is familiar with Barbie with a doctoral degree in the sciences; my take was very different on what the message actually was meant to be compared to my husband who I dragged along. We watched a different movie and sometimes that's great.
I found a lot of your criticisms to have been meant as satirical toward modern society. The pauses also in a "mocking" vein. The items you pointed out as having been "dropped" within the movie were the more impactful points to me. These things were sidelined with purpose in my opinion, leaning toward a multifacet satire. The best satire is done when most of the audience misses out on the joke.
I have no idea if it was actually meant this way, but it's definitely art on film and I really appreciated it.
@@TryingToWakeUp-qb7iu I am not sure intelligence is actually the defining factor for this movie. My girlfriends have not seen it yet, it may be a gender difference, but I appreciate your comments. My husband thought Ken's arc in the film was the best and was meant to be satire toward modern "toxic" masculinity. To each their own. I am definitely going to see it again after Oppenheimer!
Funny movie. The point is that both men and women are trapped in their roles. Men feel they need to dominate (or are somehow less manly), and women need to pursue their careers (and not be loser mothers). It calls for balance on both sides. And what's wrong with that?
Dan usually downplays his opinion a little bit, so if even he says it's preachy, then it's gotta be beating you over the head with the message
I was definitely not surprised based on several casting choices….. the lame Man Doctor Joke…. Missing the irony on Dr Barbie…. And they all look old….
@alejandromolinac the director choice alone, should have told me everything. I was really hoping it was just going to be a fun tongue-in-cheek comedy kind of like the 21 Jump Street.
@@iwishiunderstood159I agree. If anything, Great Gerwig put me off getting excited about it
@@iwishiunderstood159 wait the remake one?? Yikes
that Mario movie sounds awesome
Omg, how many time people should repeat that this is PG-13 movie. No kids under 13 are allowed in the cinema, stop quoting 6-8 years old!
PG-13 doesn't mean that kids under 13 aren't allowed in the theater. It means that parental guidance is suggested for kids under 13. 'R' and 'NC-17' are the only restrictive ratings the MPA issues.
Feels like a genuine Black Mirror episode. I'm hooked
Thanks for sharing your opinion.👍
I really appreciate these nuanced reviews. I definitely want to see Barbie - it looks visually stunning - but I do feel like expectations need to be managed.
I went because of all the good reviews and I felt disappointed and angry. What a waste! And I'm a woman.
I ADORED IT. The men are supposed to play women of the 1950s that is why it feels off but hey to each their own.
GWILDOR spotted!!
I disagreed with most of your criticisms. My only complaint was that the way we got from the climax to the end was a little clunky. It felt like they knew where they wanted to go, but wrote themselves into a corner trying to get there. It worked well enough in the style of magical realism they created, but it was weaker than other similar things in the film.
Refreshing to hear a man review this in a nuanced way. I've seen a few movie review youtube channels offer nothing but a hysterical meltdown about how Barbie is just two hours of man-hating. Which is ridiculous. Good for you.
"I'm sure everyone will receive them warmly"🤣
I want to see the Mario movie Dan just pitched…
I think the “Patriarchy” story should have been left for the sequel. Barbie having an existential crisis is enough of a story on its own. But it was such a joy I don’t really care. It was amazing.
I'm seeing both Oppenheimer and Barbie tomorrow!
Hold on, you're not just going to drop that Super Mario Oscar bait and walk away...
One thing I was worried about with critic reviews is how a potentially different gendered reception to the themes of the film would play out in these analyses. It'd be such a shame if this movie doesn't get the props it deserves because men don't "get it". A number of the women I went to had such a strong emotional response to the Ferrera monologue for example, yet it does seem to be, as you put it "on the nose" with other people, with this negative response skewing male. I respect the fact that that wasn't for you, but would point out that other critics have praised how certain themes were tackled.
This whole Barbenheimer thing is such an American phenomenon! The story of both movies separately are a part of America’s history. But then just the fact that these two films,dealing with completely polar opposite topics, are opening on the same weekend is quite a coincidence. And this event even has its own name-Barbenheimer! And everyone seems equally excited to see both movies. That’s cool.
They both will be strong Oscar contenders with competition in the best supporting actor categories with possible nominations for both Downey and Gosling and Billie Eillish writing and singing an original song for both films.
Nah there's no excitement at all. At the cinema no one is talking about it so only TH-camrs are hyping it up but they're both not hype worthy. This fake hype is for clickbait. Barbie will do better than the bomb movie for sure.
I'll will be seeing both on Friday.
@@jonfreeman9682 Did you even bother looking at the online booking for both movies in your city? That should give you a clear idea if the hype is "fake"!
Yeah, this. I originally thought Oppenheimer would be more my speed (and probably still is), but as the time leading up to the respective openings got closer, I found myself being more curious about both and hoping both do well.
I can’t wait to see this movie with the girls on Friday. We are very excited.
Love your reviews Dan. I think the heavy-handedness in themes and messages is one of the things that bothers me most about films especially in recent times, because as much as I agree, it makes me feel like the movie thinks I don’t or thinks I’m too stupid to understand without being explicitly told what I should think
100% this. Messages in mainstream Hollywood movies used to be subtle so people can enjoy them, while thinking about the subject themselves. Nowadays it’s so down our throat that they feel like God’s Not Dead or any other faith based films. Being preached at constantly is annoying, one side or the other.
@@bengirard1984Too subtle wasn't that great though, because audiences could pretend they didn't notice what the movie was trying to say and so it achieved very little.
@@_jolie_ I get your point, but that's debatable. Personally, I've always preferred movies, books, etc that will make me think by myself and learn something along the way. It's ok to have a documentary or a movie that has a strong message but these days, it's to an extent that if you don't agree with that said strong message, you're a bad person. That's the problem. Subtlety comes a long way when you need to have a conversation about something. Screaming/preaching will maybe work with some people but definitely not everyone. And even if some people don't agree or don't notice the message like you say..it's their own prerogative. People has the right to want to be entertained without being constantly reminded of a message. That's why, for example, I'm not religious at all. Nowadays, many movies feel like that : a church.
@@bengirard1984 the thing is, our society is SO divided on so many subjects these days that yeah, movies will have to be more radical and tell you you're either with us or with them as well. Circumstances force people to push back hard because they can't afford to let things slide anymore. Anyway as for Barbie and the delivery of its message, I can tell you that it's not trying to guilt-trip anyone or to make men feel bad about themselves. Unless you're a "But not all men...!" type of person, you get it and you laugh at what the movie is mocking as much as the women are.
@@_jolie_ I agree that we are really divided overall, I really do and it sucks big time, but ''movies will have to be more radical and tell you you're either with us or with them as well. '', that I wholeheartedly disagree and I always will. Extremism, fanatism and radicalism never, ever bring (or brought) something good, only chaos. Forcing people to believe what you believe is wrong(not saying that you do, I speak in general terms). Movies also don't ''need'' to do anything. They are not schools, congress or what have you. They are mercantile art and entertainment. Not real life. Yes having messages can be part of them, of course they can, but they don't need to have one specifically or educate people.
Trust me...if the tides would turn in society and the pendulum would go completely to the other side, Hollywood would have no shame of putting out extreme right movies about god, Jesus, sins and all that. And the result would be the same : Division. And I say all this as a director/video editor myself...I just hope we can come back to more stories that everyone can enjoy without starting a culture/political war. I'm getting tired of that to be honest.
Now for Barbie specifically, personally it wasn't really on my radar but I'll maybe watch it on streaming. It's really low on my list to be honest lol But I was curious to hear my favorite reviewers what they had to say about the movie! Cheers!
Hot Take? I don't think this movie is for kids and I don't understand why someone would bring their kid. This movie was for those who grew up with Barbie and are grown. Not those currently growing up.
I'm seeing the movie next week, and I have a feeling I will be among the people who love it, but I also think I am very much the very specific target audience for this movie. And I can't take issue with anything you're saying, Dan, because I haven't seen the movie yet. I have certainly had issues with Greta Gerwig's previous movies, though I liked them on the whole. Frankly I had low expectations when the idea for a live-action Barbie movie first started bubbling up in the media, so to have an end product that gets a 'higher end it's fine' from you feels like a victory to me. 😁I was always just hoping the movie wouldn't suck, if the major criticism is that its a little too on the nose with the messaging, that's something I can live with.
This is one for the girls and gays, I can’t wait to see it, I’m hoping my theater are doing custom cocktails ☺️
Critics need to learn from Dan as he once again offers his honest views while breaking down *specific* reasoning that has some merit to it as opposed to devolving into "I oppose = bad"
Well done.
People need to stop casting Will Ferrell again and again to play the same damn role every time. It's not funny anymore.
WHEN THE MESSAGE IS THIS OBVIOUS, THEN WHY AM I STILL LIVING IN THIS WORLD? you will get punched in the face with this message over and over again, until something CHANGES! i'm over subtlety. this movie is female rage and i love it!
that said, i agree with your point on a describing level. it's just that i think, it's the right move for this movie.
and yes, the martel boss and alan were kinda mixed in the shuffle.
i disagree though, that the critic on barbie by the tween girl wasn't picked up again. it's literally what the human woman said: it's not enough, that barbie is beautiful and a president etc. she also needs to be a feminist icon who defies beauty expectations. it's just too much.
I went to see it with a 6-year-old and I really appreciated how the movie somehow managed to be for adults and kids at the same time. While the identity politics and social criticism for sure flew over my kids' head, she still managed to follow the plot in her own way, which I thought was really great storytelling.
I am really interested in knowing how your daughter saw the movie. What was the story according to her? I'm glad you both had a good time!
The best part about the movie is that it will introduce thoughts about what it means to live as a man vs as a woman in our society to kids that have likely not given it much consideration.
It's pg-13. I loved how The Dark Knight was for adults and kids at the same time.
@@dani01949 *Spoilers for those who haven't seen yet* She understood that the Real World was less fun for Barbie (without fully understanding the patriarchy thing) and was upset when Ken stole Barbie's house and made it ugly. So I think for her the main gist of the story was how the Barbies got back their land and that Barbie decides to become human. (Also, she now wants a slide that goes from her bedroom to the pool.)
@@Moloch187 It's rated PG where I live
I am taking my gf to see this Saturday for her birthday. She nor I is/was aware this movie had a "message". She doesn't normally go for preachy movies, one way or another, but I can't bring myself to tell her because she has looked forward to seeing this movie since it was announced.
Dude, man up and warn her. Then she can make an informed choice.
I’m in a similar boat, but thankfully we haven’t planned the date yet. I hope she likes it anyways, man; it’s worth a shot for her to go in blind. Good luck!
Through a SNFU on my part, I ended up buying the wrong tickets, and had to get a refund. I took the opportunity to explain what Barbie was about, and we decided to see Oppenheimer instead. Great movie!
Went on Wednesday here in Adelaide, Australia. .I'm 64 and went with wife and grand daughter...I was gearing up for a snooze fest...but was SURPRISED. Movie was winking at the audience most of the time, and if there was a message, grand daughter missed it , so it was aimed at a few previous generations of girls...so if it was about female empowerment .it was very mild..
You're always so fair and even in your reviews. Huge respect, Dan.
As long as it's not as on the nose as Don't Worry Darling.
Love Barbie, I think it's a great movie. My only issue is when it's trying to go to somewhere serious, they always ruined it with a joke/punchline.
That happens a lot but it's usually done because they don't want the tone to get too serious and want it to stay fun and quirky.
Fox News is complaining about the Film for being male bashing.
ngl as 27 years old woman who considers herself a feminist (naturally), I was expecting or at least strongly hoping to have my life changed just a bit by the movie, to have a "wow this changed me a little and I feel seen" moment, I adored the promotional content they gave us, liked what I was seeing in the first trailer, expected the movie to be one way... Having now seen the movie, I can say that I'm a bit disappointed by it. It wasn't exactly what I thought it was gonna be. It wasn't what I expected. I didn't adore the way it tried to deliver its message, I wasn't impressed by its lack of subtlety, some of it felt forced, some scenes felt too long and off, I found the third act to be especially weak for example. I'm bummed about it tbh but hey, that's life! Not every movie you expect to become a cult favorite in your life can always deliver. I laughed a lot (first act of the movie especially), liked the acting from Margot and Ryan, saw great outfits and set pieces. It's all good!
I went to see Barbie yesterday and completely agree! (There might be some spoilers here, so don't read on if you don't want to see them) I think another thing that would have improved the movie is if they had committed more to the Barbies and Kens (and Midge and Allan) acting exactly like what these dolls would have acted like if children were playing with them. They did that right for the most part, but where it fell flat for me is that the dolls were aware of terms that kids who are still playing with them (let's say 3 to 9) usually aren't that familiar with. When I still played with Barbies, I didn't know what feminism was and I only learned the term patriarchy much, much later. Those words not being used (or being used much less) could make the movie way less preachy. It could have been enough for Ken to see that in the real world, men aren't only not treated like accessories and that they actually hold positions of power. That in itself would have been enough, Ken could have just said to the other Kens that in the real world, men are treated with more respect and they hold positions of power - no need to throw around the word "patriarchy". The story also felt rushed to me and it would have been nice if certain parts of the story and certain terms were elaborated on more. For example, what would the next step be when Barbie is put back in the box? What were the actual ramifications and the aftermath of the Skipper debacle? It would also have been nice to see HOW the Kens got more emancipated in the end, not just that there are vague plans to make it happen. Are the Kens going to school? Are they learning on the job? Are they finally getting to live in their own houses? I rarely say this about any movie, but since Barbie was on the shorter side, it might have benefited from being a bit longer, so the plot would have been less sloppy. Many, many thoughts on my part.
Dan, I appreciate the Gwildor figure up on the shelf. 👏👍
He's my favorite second-rate live-action Orko substitute in the Masters of the Universe canon!
@@DanMurrellMovies I'll never forget finding that figure at a flea market in the 90s. Couldn't believe they'd made one. Couldn't leave the place without him. Still have it to this day. 👍
I really enjoyed watching this film. This one feels like it shines through its weaknesses. It makes some very interesting commentaries on society while touching
various topics about our place in the world, the meaning of ideas and symbols, and the separation of ideas and reality. Is a movie that's very self aware that its a movie, and at times feels like an add and at times feels like a video essay. I think the delivery of the message is imperfect, in the way they handle some parts of the storytelling, like using a voice over narrator, or not completely resolving Ken's arch. But the tone and the messages help keep everything together. I think the movie takes risks because is trying to engage with the audience not just through the story itself, but with the questions it gives the audience, so the overall experience is a different kind of immersion. The actors don't necessary break the fourth, but the dialogues feel as if they are written for them, and at times it feels like its voicing the thoughts of the audience. l I'd like to think this is within the metamordern filmmaking explained by Thomas Flight.
You pitched an amazing premise for a Mario movie and I need that to be made immediately.
It is what it is.
Some people will like it, some will dislike it...at least intended audiences will be emotional as heck.
Say something while saying nothing.
@@Moloch187 He saw it and it was really something to see. That's what I read from his words as I read them.
Dan, I appreciate the nuanced approach in your reviews. Though we don't have the same tastes in movies or TV shows, I can always count on your reviews to provide me with enough information to make a well informed decision.
If anyone has seen the show Big Little Lies (Season 1 to be specific), that show taught me struggles of womanhood more effectively without being too preachy. Made me get closer to filling in the shoes of what women go through. Definitely a hard review to give, but I appreciate how you approached this review, Dan. I love the themes, but I just wish they didn’t feel dumbed down.
I just love going to a movie about a toy and getting a free side serving of socio-politics.
I thought Allan was a very important character. For one he along w Sugar Daddy Ken and Earing Ken are the only male dolls that don't buy into the Neo Kenservative movement. He is an analogue to Blue Shirt mattel Guy as representations of men who don't byu into the patriarcy.
it rocked
Just came back from this and not only was i deeply affected by the movie on a cellular level, but i was also a little moved at seeing an entirely sold out screening, something i don't think I've seen since NWH. But even more moving was the fact that unlike most other packed theatre experiences ive had for the likes of mcu movies which are predominantly filled by lads, this was filled with ladies, groups of friends, mother's and daughters you name it. I honestly don't think I've ever seen the likes. It just goes to show how well a movie can do when it is unapologetically yet authentically made for women(girlies, gals and non binary pals)