Ian Smith

It was a shame to see something with so much potential be executed so poorly. The repeated theme throughout the movie is Barbie choosing not to be held back by one-dimensional, pathetic excuses for men (characters Ken, the Mattel executives, etc). What the movie doesn't get around to explaining is that this isn't what all men are like. Furthermore, for a movie that's so focused on women being empowered and respecting themselves, in the end the Barbies use their sexuality to manipulate the Kens into fighting each other. Then finally the Barbies can completely take over and turn Barbieland into a matriarchy, but not before completely objectifying themselves. If we're so focused on women being empowered, then why go that route? It's because it's easy to play to people's insecurities, which is exactly what this movie did and what makes it so disgusting. The opportunity to have a resolution between the two genders was completely thrown out the window, and instead the movie just kind of ends. There is some reference to the idea that it's ok to be human and uncertain about what one wants, but it's overemphasized to the point where I felt the need to tell my daughters that while it's ok to not know what one wants, it's not ok to NEVER know what one wants. Both of my daughters were visibly uncomfortable when we were leaving the theater, and I couldn't blame them. They didn't like the way Ken treated Barbie, or how Barbie treated Ken, and they are right.