#like im sorry but the toy commercial movie happens to also have a lot of issues with white feminism

[listen-to-the-inner-walrus]

...wait, people are genuinely upset that greta gerwig didnt get nominated for best director for the toy commercial movie when the movie got nominations for best supporting actor, best supporting actress, best original song, best production design, best costume design, best picture, and best adapted screenplay for which greta gerwig was nominated?

[barbie-movie-confessions]

i personally love the memeification of barbie movies. it keeps them somewhat relevant in pop culture when they wouldn't be otherwise, and even though they're special to me im very well aware there's a lot to make fun of in them

Or maybe they’re still relevant because many of them are actually very good movies.

I’m pretty sure the reason that anon doesn’t like the memeification of Barbie movies is because the internet as a whole has this sort of imbalance between the “ironic” fans who make fun and fans that no-joke love Barbie movies as they are. The Shrek franchise is a good comparison. Shrek 1 & 2 are actually really good films, but the franchise as a whole has been memeified so badly that sometimes it’s hard to find people talking about it in a serious manner.

A lot of Barbie’s films are genuinely good. There are things we can criticize or make fun of, of course, as with all media. But I also understand Anon’s frustration with wanting to see them treated with more respect. I think it’s that imbalance I mentioned. People who like Barbie movies the way want to interact with people who feel that same way. 

But unlike Disney, DreamWorks, or even lesser-liked animation studios like Illumination, Barbie’s films are not taken seriously by people who aren’t already fans. Yes, Barbie movies are 70min toy commercials, but so are a lot of Disney movies. Barbie movies sometimes have ridiculous or confusing plots, so does Blue Sky or Illumination. At the same time, though, it’s clear that tons of Barbie movies are crafted with the same care that one would give to any other animation studio. Many have beautifully developed romances, animation that holds up surprisingly well, unique worlds, humor appropriate for kids that also makes adults laugh, etc.

And another part of it is how others react to non-sarcastic fans. Ever heard of the term “Disney Adult”? While some people use it to describe themselves, a lot of others use it as a way to make fun of adults who still like Disney. Barbie fans may not have their own term like that, but just liking anything related to Barbie, not even just the movies, as an adult often gets you judged. I’ve had film bros breathe down my neck before about how I need to watch some “real” movies. It’s embarrassing and mean.

Sorry for this long reply. I just really don’t agree with the idea that without the “meme culture” Barbie movies would be considered irrelevant. And honestly, even if they are irrelevant in the grand scheme of animation, or movies as a whole, does that really matter? Plenty of “relevant” movies these days have boring plots, utilize the same actors over and over, or simply recycle stuff from the past. Relevancy doesn’t automatically mean better.

I do appreciate your point of view. Like I said before, there are in fact things you can criticize or make fun of with Barbie movies, even if they take up half your lifeforce like me. I just happen to agree with that other Anon about their overall perception.

- Erika