I liked Barbie, the film. But I feel pretty conflicted about Barbie, the message.
What does it mean when a conglomerate like Mattel can produce a film, critisicing the over-commercialised, consumer-led, patiriachal, sexist nature of our society. Using Barbie, the eponymous 'Doll', that upholds gender roles whilst enforcing unrealistic beauty standards. Creating, what is essentially, a feature-length advertisement?
It's like a preacher telling you the meaning of life, and then sticking the collections plate in your face. Yeah, you got what you paid for, but in a world where you had to be sold the answer, does it even mean anything?
