From a writing perspective, Barbie is a masterpiece.
I don’t know why no one is talking about the Metaphor that the movie has.
See,
The film is about 2 Metaphors.
One: Age.
Two: Traits.
Plot 1:
When we used to be kids, we all used to be creative, delicate, artistic,… basically all the feminine traits.
Even if we had some masculine traits, we weren’t appreciated for that, as a kid.
Barbie represents feminine traits.
For which she is getting all the attention and praise.
But,
Plot 2:
As we age to be teenagers,
we all are reluctant to adult.
So is Barbie! She is unwilling to come in flat heels!
This also depicts that, when we are kids, we are ungrounded all the time. But with age, we have to get grounded.
It's actually a journey from toes to heels.
Plot 3:
When we go out in the real world.
All feminine traits are not praised.
Rather, we all get praised for being otherwise - bold, responsible, dashing, capable to move mountains, and all the masculine traits.
Which means, the world is run by patriarchy.
That’s where Ken (masculine trait) learns about the patriarchy.
Plot 4:
When the real world hits,
even at our homes,
we encourage our Barbies to be like Ken.
Because of feminism, you know.
But the world becomes upside down for Barbie.
Because she never knows adulting feminine would be to showcase patriarchal traits.
Plot 5:
In a world, where we are busy pursuing feminism in the wrong sense, no Barbie is actually happy.
And neither is Ken the real Ken.
We all have lost the essence of the true us.
In the practice of practicing feminism, we all are predicting who we are not.
And that isn’t the virtue of feminism!
Plot 6:
Realizing what feminism really is, all the Barbies unit.
And thus Kens are also meant to find out who they actually are.
Meaning, feminine traits, and masculine traits.
Bottom Line:
The movie gives us a message of seeking who we truly are.
And pursuing every character and trait that is needed for the betterment of the world and self.
P.S.
It is a marketing move. But a brilliant one.
At last, every ad is an act of storytelling. This one was a movie.
But a movie with the master writing piece.