The Subversive Power of Barbie

The Subversive Power of Barbie

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Prominence of Barbie 2.1 Nostalgia and Target Audience 2.2 Global Promotion and Box Office Success
3. The Importance of Ratings and Reviews
4. The Simulated Subversion of Barbie 4.1 Humor and Self-Referential Jokes 4.2 Ideology: Feminism in Barbie 4.3 Satirical Takes on Capitalism 4.4 Profilicity and Personal Identity
5. The Transition from Inauthenticity to Authenticity
6. Commercialism and the Barbie Brand
7. The Cheesy Ending and the Master Narrative
8. The Simulation of Subversion in Barbie

Article:

Barbie: A Subversive Simulation or a Profilicity Fest?

Introduction

Barbie, the iconic doll, has been embedded in the childhood memories of many, including myself. Growing up, playing with Barbie and Ken dolls was a part of our lives. So, when Warner Brothers released their Blockbuster movie, Barbie, it caught the attention of not only my generation but also younger and older audiences. The movie's extensive global promotion this summer and its staggering box office success have solidified Barbie's reemergence as a cultural phenomenon.

The Prominence of Barbie

Nostalgia and Target Audience

Barbie's success can be attributed to nostalgia, targeting not only those who grew up with the dolls but also younger generations. The movie's appeal extends beyond childhood memories, attracting a large audience dressed in pink. This prompts the question: How does a movie, like Barbie, receive critical acclaim for being subversive while maintaining its mainstream appeal?

The Importance of Ratings and Reviews

As with any movie, ratings and reviews play a crucial role in shaping its reception. Barbie has garnered mostly positive reviews from critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie boasts a 90% score among critics and an 86% score among the audience. While these positive sentiments contribute to the movie's success, it begs further examination of its subversive nature.

The Simulated Subversion of Barbie

Humor and Self-Referential Jokes

Many reviewers praise Barbie's subversive humor, describing it as subversively funny. However, upon closer inspection, the humor seems to lack true subversion and instead relies heavily on self-referential jokes within the culture industry. The movie extensively relies on ironic references to other films and satirical takes on various media genres. These post-modernist comedic elements aim to establish viewers and reviewers as media industry insiders rather than challenging societal norms.

Ideology: Feminism in Barbie

Barbie's portrayal as a feminist figure is another aspect that contributes to its mainstream success. While feminism is often viewed as a progressive ideology, Barbie's brand of feminism remains uncontroversial. The movie emphasizes the empowerment of women in terms of careers and financial independence, while also playfully incorporating stereotypical femininity such as dressing in pink and enjoying Barbie movies. Though it may be enjoyable and mildly funny, it lacks the true subversion associated with challenging deeply ingrained societal norms.

Satirical Takes on Capitalism

Another theme prevalent in Barbie is the satirical exposure of capitalist and patriarchal influences within the toy industry, particularly Mattel, the corporation behind Barbie. Remarkably, the movie openly acknowledges the fact that it is produced by Mattel. By engaging in self-ironic criticism, Barbie aims to update its brand image and align it with current political and cultural trends. However, this self-criticism ultimately serves as a marketing ploy rather than a genuine subversion of capitalism.

Profilicity and Personal Identity

Barbie's primary commercial purpose is profilicity - the reshaping of the Mattel and Barbie brand. However, this goal extends beyond a mere rebranding. The movie's symbiotic relationship between its makers, viewers, and reviewers emphasizes the promotion of profilicity as a personal identity technology. Viewers attending the movie dressed in pink exemplify this phenomenon. The film's philosophical theme revolves around the subversion of inauthenticity, as Barbie undergoes a transition from a fake imaginary world to a real one. However, it is vital to recognize that Barbie, as a product of the culture industry, merely simulates the subversion of inauthenticity rather than achieving true authenticity.

The Transition from Inauthenticity to Authenticity

Barbie's journey toward authenticity in the movie centers around the idea of transitioning from a role-based, stereotypical identity to a unique, individual one. The struggle for authenticity is a common motif in Hollywood movies, and Barbie is no exception. While the movie attempts to celebrate this transition, it ultimately falls flat, offering a cringey and unfunny culmination. The movie's adherence to the standard master narrative of the Western individual's path to maturity and authenticity undermines any potential subversive qualities.

Commercialism and the Barbie Brand

Barbie's movie serves as a vehicle for reshaping the Barbie brand, both commercially and culturally. It is often seen as a celebration of capitalism while superficially critiquing it. The underlying motive is to reaffirm the brand's relevance and align it with the evolving cultural and political climate. However, this simulation of subversion within the culture industry can be viewed as a calculated marketing strategy rather than genuine subversive aims.

The Cheesy Ending and the Master Narrative

Barbie's ending, similar to many Hollywood movies, follows a cheesy and predictable trajectory. It highlights the triumph of authenticity and the struggle to find one's true self. This celebration of the master narrative of the Western individual is both a reflection of the movie's lack of true subversion and a nod to the role American corporations play in shaping societal ideals. While Barbie aimed to subvert inauthenticity, it ultimately falls into the trappings of conforming to societal norms.

The Simulation of Subversion in Barbie

In conclusion, Barbie, despite its claims of subversion, can be seen as a proflicity fest rather than a genuinely subversive work. Its humor relies on self-referential jokes within the culture industry, limiting its impact. The movie's portrayal of feminism remains uncontroversial, aligning with mainstream ideologies. Simulated critiques of capitalism and patriarchal influences within the toy industry serve as marketing tools rather than genuine subversions. Ultimately, Barbie's attempt to transition from inauthenticity to authenticity feels contrived and unconvincing, reinforcing the conventional master narrative. As viewers engage with Barbie through various mediums, from watching it dressed in pink to discussing it in the media, they partake in the simulation of subversion rather than genuine critique.

Highlights:

• Barbie's global success and extensive promotion
• Positive ratings and reviews from critics and audiences
• The simulated subversion through humor, feminism, capitalism, and identity
• Profilicity as a personal identity technology
• The transition from inauthenticity to authenticity
• The commercial motives of Barbie and its role in reshaping the brand
• The cheesy ending and reinforcement of the master narrative
• The simulation of subversion rather than genuine critique in Barbie

FAQ:

Q: Is Barbie a truly subversive movie? A: While Barbie claims to be subversive, its subversion is mostly simulated, drawing on self-referential jokes and mainstream ideologies.

Q: Does Barbie challenge societal norms? A: Barbie's portrayal of feminism and critiques of capitalism offer a superficial challenge to societal norms, but ultimately, it falls in line with conventional ideas.

Q: What is the main theme of Barbie? A: Barbie explores the transition from inauthenticity to authenticity, focusing on individual identity. However, its execution feels contrived and lacks true subversion.

Q: Does Barbie critique the toy industry? A: Barbie aims to satirically expose the capitalist influences within the toy industry, especially Mattel. However, considering the movie is produced by Mattel, it can be seen as self-ironic criticism rather than genuine subversion.

Q: How does Barbie promote profilicity? A: Barbie encourages viewers to engage with the movie on a personal level, dressing in pink and participating in the simulation of subversion, creating a sense of profilicity.

End of Document.