1st round

This is the movie that the world needs right now!!! I almost can't believe Greta Gerwig achieve this!!! She portrayed how the world is secretly (or apparently) patriarchal & how society forces women to pursue their ideal selves and how uncomfortable the world is for us women (and so is for men) in the most colorful, beautiful, and GERWIGING way.

...my Grammarly app always corrects "Greta" to "Great", which I think she deserves it.

It seems like entertainment that is easy to be criticized by conservative "movie critics" at first sight, but I am satisfied with the way Greta told the story fairly enough. This movie is so delicious because the script was layered like the various pink colors in the movie. The story seemed to be delightful, modern, and political in a way, but I want to remind you: this movie is for all the Barbies AND Kens.

I am a 17-year-old Japanese female. What I loved about this movie is: 1. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling's Oscar-worthy performances (especially Ryan stealing the show!!) 2. Simu Liu as Ken (whose rival is also Ken) 3. The modern subject which told fairly enough 4. The irony comparing Barbieland and Real World 5. Greta Gerwig's genius writing 6. Perfectly cast Barbies, Kens, and Humans 7. And so many more!!

At the end of the early screening, we (Japanese audiences, including press-related parties) applaud for 5 seconds which is not bad considering we barely do applause in the theaters.

I think the world needs more Greta Gerwigs.

...2nd round I was lucky enough to attend the Barbie premiere in Japan last night. It was an amazing experience. (The most unforgettable experience in my whole movie nerd life was attending the Aftersun screening where Ms. Wells talked about Chantal Akerman's influence on her creative process.) I want to note about highs and lows in the premiere.

Highs: Ms. Gerwig seemed such a warm person. Her thoughtful words came from her experience and her attitude seemed awkward in a way. I felt her personality represents the whole movie. What surprised me most was Mr. Heymen (a producer of Harry Potter, who negotiated with Rowling for the movie adoption) being the funniest person in the theater. His jokes were on point, and I see the reason he succeeded in Hollywood exactly in it.

Lows: The interview was short and formal (it was almost rude), the theater wasn't big enough for this blockbuster's premiere, and the security wasn't enough (I enter the theater without showing my ticket.) I think there are lots of things to improve especially on interview.

The movie is truly the movie of the decade. When I watched it with my mom two weeks ago, I wasn't ready for everything. Watching it without knowing anything about the central theme felt like the Kens who weren't immune to patriarchy. It's the feeling I never knew I needed. What I disappointed was my mother couldn't understand the whole thing. I won't/shouldn't blame her. She lived patriarchal society in her childhood therefore her minds are not affected by the fact that women shouldn't be disturbed to be anything they want. Honestly she hated the idea. When I told everything I felt as a female after watching it, she just said "Ryan was so cool.", but she's so real for this sentence despite the fact that she didn't accept the concept.

Compared to watching it for the first time, I could enjoy it and escape into the barbieland because I know where the story goes. I realize those are completely two different experiences. I could focus more on the well written script, beautiful production design, lots of charming costumes than I could ever imagine in pink, talented actors, and good taste in music. It's almost unbelievable how well Greta created meta-story. It's about postmodernism of the barbieland. It feels like too much awareness sometimes, but it was everything I needed for movies like this. I love An American in Paris and Singin' in the Rain so it was wonderful to see how Greta homages classical musical movies in the golden-age. I am thankful for Greta telling the story in such a meaningful way.

...3rd round I attend the screening for high school students held in Warner Brothers Japan. It was surreal experience because no one laughed at the jokes except for me. (Maybe I didn't noticed...?) At the end a girl was crying but that's it.

9 stars because this movie couldn't convince my sister. She said, "It's too obvious. I know what Greta wanted to tell, but I can't accept it. Margot and Ryan were great though." Partly, I agree. Little did she know, she were wrong. (At least to my understanding.) This movie isn't revenge, nor something women have to decline. Greta told the story wisely enough. She care about how can they told the story point of view in portraying Allan and Ken's existential crisis and find their voice fairly. It's obvious? I know what she meant but she don't know anything. At least I know how women and "minority" people (lgbtq) suffered so much longer than the movie is. And this world is progressing. Why we shouldn't promote it?

I have to admit even America Ferrera's monologue couldn't convince my sister. And that's so sad because it felt Greta Gerwig's soul. Lady bird, Frances Ha, Little Women...every time she told monologue, it just gets me. Her words feels as if she wrote it just for me. And I'm sure every other person who loves her words feels the same.

When I took on the subway, there was a women with two men, talking about stock. She said, "I don't know what the stock is. It's too complicated!" And that was just like Barbies before realizing their consciousness!! It's her free will? NO. Showing herself as a weak presence is what the past patriarchy forced women. If she don't understand the stocks, she can learn by herself online! If she needs someone's help it doesn't necessarily have to be two men on the train! (ok if the two were professional I can't say it, but they seems like beginner at stocks because they said, "it's too simple!" over and over.) If she want some small talk, that topic shouldn't be what she's not understanding! There's still a disease spreading unconsciously because of what mother told us, how the father behave at home. Changing people's minds is more difficult than climbing the Everest. I hope people like the woman on the subway realize their consciousness through this movie.

Well, this isn't review but the movie made me think about personal stuff, so this is a messy note to myself.