Parents May Be Split on ‘Barbie,’ but Kids Are Loving It
Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie" is a feminist romp peppered with suggestive jokes, existential themes and choreographed dance numbers. Rated PG-13, the film has amused and confused some of its younger viewers. Quinn Berry, a 10-year-old New Yorker, saw “Barbie" with her parents and a friend.
She didn’t recognize the Indigo Girls on the soundtrack and was confused by a montage featuring the cast and crew’s loved ones. But she perked up during the scenes featuring a villainous toy-company executive. “There’s this movie called ‘Elf,’ and the actor who was the elf was the Mattel guy," Quinn said, referring to Will Ferrell.
Her favorite part of the movie? “The whole movie was my favorite part," she said. Mattel bet big on “Barbie," with a marketing campaign that involved more than 100 brand collaborations. Now it’s the summer’s biggest box-office hit, with over $1 billion in ticket sales and moviegoers still lining up in pink to get seats.
Much like the dolls themselves, the film has parents divided. Some aren’t so sure a Barbie experiencing body dysmorphia and thoughts of death is right for kids, even if some of the finer points go over their heads. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that rates films and TV shows for age-appropriateness, says “Barbie" is suitable for children 11 and older.
On average, parents who submitted reviews on the site said 12 and up. Common Sense notes that the film has a sophisticated message, suggestive references and “a couple of big brawls with silly weapons." “It’s not going to harm younger kids, but there’s a lot that they probably just won’t get, which could be frustrating," said Betsy Bozdech, the nonprofit’s editorial director. In the film, Barbie journeys to Los Angeles on a quest to quell her
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