Is ‘Barbie’ Really a Feminist Movie? 

What movie could generate such massive buzz even before its release?

It's undoubtedly the highly anticipated live-action version of "Barbie."

From Vogue to TIME, you can spot the lead actress Margot Robbie gracing magazine covers.

Before the film even hits the theaters, over a thousand Barbie-themed merchandise items have already flooded the market. Everything from clothes, shoes, accessories, nail polish, toothbrushes, drink tumblers - all in shades of pink!

Even Xbox jumped in with a special-edition controller, but it's a limited-edition item, so getting one requires some luck.

The most incredible thing about this film is that it garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews before its official release, which is quite rare!

In the test screenings back in February, "Barbie" received an avalanche of praise. Some audience comments included: "Surprisingly emotional and playfully political without being too heavy." Others said, "It deconstructs Barbie's feminist image, presenting a new background for a new generation of viewers." After watching it, there are three aspects I'd like to share with you:

Perfect Casting for "Barbie"

The decision to cast Robbie as Barbie was spot on, according to Robbie Brenner, the head of Mattel Films. She mentioned that they chose Robbie because she's humorous, has depth, is a fantastic actress, and, above all, she looks like Barbie – simply beautiful.

During the promotion period, Robbie's image has completely transformed into that of Barbie. From Gucci, CHANEL, and Prada to Moschino, she's styled like a living doll wherever she goes.

Her wardrobe also features some high-end custom-made pieces. For instance, this Valentino dress with her name and "Barbie" embroidered was inspired by the polka dot dress worn by supermodel Karen Mulder on the runway in 1993.

Or how about this VERSACE ALTIER COUTURE dress from 1994. It once worn by Brandi Quinones on the catwalk and later donned by Claudia Schiffer at a party.

Of course, Robbie's vintage-inspired looks don't stop at the '90s. This Herve Leger striped mini dress was custom-made, drawing inspiration from the first Barbie doll from 1959.

And even this over-the-top Barbie look with clothes from BV (Bottega Veneta) custom-made.

Attention to Detail: Recreating Childhood Memories

One of the most captivating details from the "Barbie" trailer is that Barbie always seems to be wearing high heels, even when standing on the floor!

This detail was meticulously done – Robbie revealed that they used double-sided tape on the floor, and she held onto the handrail to maintain stability while filming, going through eight takes before getting it right.

The entire Barbie world is designed to recreate the toy's iconic features from everyone's childhood. For example, Barbie's house has no exterior walls, so Barbie dolls can wave at each other; her bedroom is a dreamland with a heart-shaped bed and glittering blankets. It might not be the most practical, but as Robbie said, "Barbie's world doesn't need practicality." The wardrobe is transparent, mimicking Barbie doll packaging. The director wanted to make everything in Barbie's world feel within reach for the audience.

As for the color scheme, the director's decision to go all-pink was to preserve a sense of childlike innocence, but it inadvertently led to a global shortage of the Rosco fluorescent pink paint used in the film.

Controversy: Is It Feminist-related?

TIME magazine points out that for a long time, this curvy-waisted doll has set an "unattainable beauty standard" for women, which seems to contradict the body positivity movement advocating for diverse aesthetics. Robbie has replied this question in various interviews. She emphasizes that Barbie is just a plastic doll without sexual organs or desires. So, even though she may be sexualized, Barbie herself is not intended to be sexy. "She wears short skirts because she likes them, not to show off her butt to others."

Robbie believes that Barbie has represented feminism since her inception in 1959. "She can be a lawyer when she puts on a suit and an astronaut when she wears a helmet," Robbie explains. "She could have her car and house at a time when women couldn't even own a bank account. Her cute boyfriend is just a decoration."

However, as the manufacturer of Barbie dolls, does Mattel agree with this view? Robbie Brenner, the head of Mattel Films, and other executives from the company told TIME that "Barbie" is not a feminist film.

Robbie pointed out that they acknowledge some people love Barbie, while others despise her. She encourages Mattel to confront this controversy and join the discussion, stating that it's not a simple "yes" or "no" question; it's a film, a work with rich depth and meaning.

Fun Facts: “He's Just Ken”

To further explore whether "’Barbie’" is a feminist film”, one can also look at how the male character, Ken, is portrayed. As Barbie's boyfriend, Ken has always been just her accessory! As the movie poster reads: “She's Everything. He's Just Ken.”

The film also showcases Ken's self-assured and foolish side, as he confidently tries to practice medicine.

This reminds me of a segment from Naz Perez's talk show, where she observed that in the past, when people talked about stylish and fashion-conscious ladies, they would often assume they were "dumb and mean" because being "feminine" was associated with "not being smart." Thus, "Barbie" was used negatively for a long time, saying, "She's such a Barbie!" However, through the presentation of this movie, it might change to "He's such a Ken!" in the future.

In summary, "Barbie" is a highly anticipated film that has generated a lot of excitement. It has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from test screenings, and the attention to detail in recreating Barbie's world is commendable. The controversy surrounding its feminist message adds to the intrigue. While the film's creators may not all agree on its feminist nature, it undeniably provides an opportunity for open discussions and reflections on the iconic doll's impact on society.