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Barbie Thoughts

I think my favorite thing about Barbie is that on top of everything else it tackles it’s also a touching exploration of the beauty of life and the creation of art.

The line: “Ideas live forever.” which has been featured in most of the trailers has a completely different meaning through this exploration. It shows that it’s people who create meaning. Be it through movies, comics, toys, etc. It’s their life, experiences, and creativity that make something of the ideas and art that are made in the world.

Barbie herself wouldn’t have meaning if not for the personal inspiration that drove Ruth to create her or the way she impacts the people who play with her (at least until the end). It’s this desire to be seen and understood (and inspire) and help others to feel less alone that drives creation and creates meaning.

That meaning put into creation is found in all aspects of life. And Barbie emphasizes that life isn’t perfect. Life is hard and painful and rife with change and conflict but it’s also beautiful in its own way. Barbie is inherently optimistic about life and shows the beauty of aging. Of mistakes. Of learning and growing. And that’s what makes its final message about creation and connection hit harder. Life is imperfect and doesn’t last but you can find and create meaning in it.

And it’s this aspect of the movie that hit me the hardest and makes it really great to me.