“Barbie” rocked notable commercial success, making history as the first solo female-directed film to hit the billion-dollar mark worldwide and breaking box office records. Its massive $1.4 billion revenue met expectations and surpassed the much-anticipated Oppenheimer by Christopher Nolan. Undeniably, we need to praise for its vibrant visuals, humor, and empowering message that contribute to the success of the film.
However, “Barbie” received mixed reviews. Some critics questioned its target audience and highlighted stereotypical gender themes. Interestingly, a few male viewers hesitated to watch, sparking discussions about biases in film choices based on gender.
The film achieved remarkable success.
Source: Barbie/Warner Bros. Pictures
"Barbie" got praised by critics, making a whopping over $1.4 billion and hitting several records. It became the highest-grossing film of 2023 and the 14th highest-grossing film ever. Recognized as one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute, it earned critical acclaim and got nominated for twelve Grammy Awards and nine Golden Globe Awards.
America Ferrera's opinion on feminism.
Source: Barbie/Warner Bros. Pictures
In an interview with The New York Times, Ferrera defended “Barbie” against criticism that it oversimplifies feminism.
“We can know things and still need to hear them out loud. It can still be a cathartic,” Ferrera said. “There are a lot of people who need Feminism 101, whole generations of girls who are just coming up now and who don’t have words for the culture that they’re being raised in.
Source: Barbie/Warner Bros. Pictures
The actress added, “Boys and men who may have never spent any time thinking about feminist theory. If you are well-versed in feminism, then it might seem like an oversimplification, but there are entire countries that banned this film for a reason.”
Ferrera emphasized the importance of not oversimplifying the need for foundational or basic feminism. They pointed out that assuming everyone has the same level of knowledge and understanding about the experiences of womanhood is an oversimplification.
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