Okay, Barbie (2023) - Thoughts? And Book/Character Comparisons!

Alright, oliviacinema here, back from seeing Barbie and still trying to process everything! Seriously, that movie was a TRIP. I definitely went in expecting something totally different, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it, haha. I mean, visually, it was stunning. Barbie Land was exactly how I imagined it as a kid, just...amplified to the max. Margot Robbie was fantastic, of course, totally embodying that Barbie perfection and then the later existential crisis. But Ken… Ryan Gosling completely stole the show, right? The Push performance had me cackling. But here's where my book-reader brain kicks in. I kept thinking about other stories where characters are confronted with 'reality' shattering their preconceived notions. It reminded me a little of The Giver, but with glitter and roller skates. Did anyone else get that vibe? And Stereotypical Barbie’s arc, realizing the impact she doesn’t have, felt similar to some of the themes in Circe. I know, weird comparison, but hear me out! Both grapple with their influence (or lack thereof) on the world. My biggest question is about the ending. Did anyone else find it a bit… abrupt? I get that it was supposed to be empowering, with Barbie choosing her own path, but I wished we saw a little more of her adjusting to a 'normal' life. And what about Ken?! Will he find himself or stay in a Mojo Dojo Casa House loop forever?? I really wanted to see more closure for him. So yeah, I'm curious what everyone else thought – especially if you see any parallels to other stories, books or movies that tackle similar themes. Lmk! 💖