When I visited the “World’s Largest Permanent Barbie Exhibit” in 2016, I had no idea that within a decade, that little plastic doll would star in a full-length movie that would gross over 1.4 billion dollars.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Montreal, the Les Cours Mont-Royal shopping center continues to host a sprawling exhibition of haute couture that features "over 1000 unique, fascinating Barbies." Admission is free and no reservations are required. All donations go to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Ever since the film’s release, I’ve been excited to share the photos of the extraordinary Barbie dolls I captured at Expobarbie.ca.

With the help of Adobe Photoshop’s latest sky replacement tool, I’m now able to present these dolls to you against a dramatic background. And just to be clear, while the concepts in this story are entirely my own, I did receive some assistance with the grammar from Bing AI.

Hover and click on the small images of Barbie dolls embedded within this story and you will open up the full-sized version of that photograph in a safe Dropbox link, complete with Adobe Photoshop's AI-generated sky replacement.

The film “Barbie,” which debuted on July 21, 2023, both enriched its creators and offered thought-provoking, entertaining content to us, the viewers, during the Hollywood writers’ strike.

I had the chance to watch the movie only recently, and I enjoyed it so much that I ended up watching it a second time!

Barbie is a satirical comedy that captivates visually while provoking thoughtful reflection. The narrative follows an imaginary Barbie who, after experiencing a “glitch,” is compelled to venture into the “actual” world, seek out her previous owner, and resolve their deep-seated issues.

Does this plot seem familiar? This could be due to its adherence to the classic blueprint that propelled The Wizard of Oz to legendary status, albeit with a twist. Contrary to Dorothy’s adventure from the tangible world to a realm of fantasy in The Wizard, the movie Barbie inverts that journey.

In the fantastical world of Barbie Land, the inhabitants are dolls bearing the names Ken or Barbie. Yet, upon closer observation, their appearances are not uniform. Their society is diverse, featuring Barbies of short stature, Barbies with fuller figures, and even a Barbie who gracefully dances in a wheelchair.

It’s essentially an egalitarian community brimming with cheerful dolls sharing the names Barbie and Ken. But there is also the odd-ball Allan, portrayed by Michael Cera, who stands out as unique.... because his doll character had been discontinued during the 1960s.

Indeed, the audience is not only asked to "suspend our disbelief" of what's happening on the screen but also to keep an open mind and a sense of humor.

And, while it’s possible to temporarily set aside disbelief, mocking the entire filmmaking process is a different matter, altogether. Barbie features several scenes where the actors openly convey their bewilderment about the movie's script, much to the delight of the audience. It’s refreshing that this production doesn’t come across as a blatant commercial for Mattel merch.

In Barbie Land, a collective disdain for flat feet and cellulite unites all its inhabitants. These physical traits become the catalyst for Barbie’s existential anguish when she unexpectedly exclaims during a spirited dance, "Do you guys ever think about dying?" — a statement that freezes everybody in their tracks.

Barbie, visibly shaken by her existential experience, seeks out the enigmatic Weird Barbie, portrayed brilliantly by Kate McKinnon of Saturday Night Live fame.

While McKinnon may be a whimsical, inverted take on The Good Witch of the West, the resemblance stopsthere. Kate’s understated makeup allows us to appreciate her exceptional performance, adhering to a time-tested formula for success that traces back to Aristotle — but, surprisingly, her performance did not lead to multiple Oscars.

In a standout scene, Barbie confronts a group of boisterous construction workers, seeking ‘female energy’ but encounters the opposite.

Unfazed by their conduct, she firmly admonishes them and asserts her lack of a vagina, to which a worker nonchalantly replies, ‘That’s cool.’ Meanwhile, Ken basks in the adoration of the gay community, unfazed by the men’s behavior and savoring the moment.

Ken, however, is more than Barbie’s partner; he’s an exceptional dancer. In this film centered around Barbie, Gosling steps out of the limelight — except in the final dance sequence where he showcases his remarkable talent, reminiscent of Fred Astaire. Gosling’s distinguished features give him a timeless appeal, channeling Astaire’s essence.

With a duration of 1 hour and 54 minutes, the movie doesn’t overtly analyze every reference to Mattel's vision. Yet, discerning viewers will discover these subtleties woven into the narrative. The film provides engaging entertainment without being overly serious.

Barbie is not meant to be a feminist manifesto but proud intellectuals should consider watching beyond the initial half-hour for a rewarding experience.

Drawing parallels with “The Wizard of Oz,” where Dorothy taps her heels four times to return home, Barbie (Spoiler Alert!) deliberately leaves her home behind and boldly ventures into the unknown.

I urge you to set aside your skepticism and embrace “Barbie.” This movie is delves into areas that are not often visited by the movie industry.

All I'm saying is that if you have not seen the movie, then you ought to get off your high horse and give Barbie a chance!

And speaking of "High Horse," I'll close this episode of Chucksville with a link to a terrific Kacey Musgraves song that seems to address his issue, in a toe-tapping way. Enjoy!

Thank you for visiting Chucksville. Please sign my guestbook!

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