For decades, Barbie has inspired confidence and creativity in children, especially young girls. The popular fashion doll, which first launched in 1959, has since expanded into a multimedia franchise with video games, CG-animated movies and shows and, most recently, a live-action movie. Warner Bros. Barbie movie arrives in theaters this weekend and while it's inspired by the children's doll, there's some uncertainty as to whether it's actually appropriate for young kids.
Despite being inspired by a children's toy, Barbie is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association "for suggestive references and brief language." A more in-depth analysis of the film reveals some subtle sexual jokes, including comments made about the characters having no genitals. Of course, the Barbie dolls themselves have no actual genitals, so it only makes sense that the movie would joke about this. There are also several sexual innuendos made about "beaching off," which is intended to be interpreted as "beating off."
To be honest, most of these jokes are adult humor and will likely fly over the heads of younger kids. Those under the age of 13 probably won't understand them and will think nothing of it. They'll most likely be so enamored by visuals of Barbie and Ken coming to life on the big screen that they won't even pay a ton of attention to the actual dialogue. While there seem to be quite a few sexual comments, visuals like the Dream House, the vibrant pink colors and the bright, glamorous wardrobe will serve as a good distraction to the adult, meta humor.
There's also the subject of adult themes being explored. The film offers commentary on how the world treats women. For example, Barbie gets catcalled by male construction workers. But this, in and of itself, shouldn't deter you from taking young kids to the theater. If anything, it could serve as a valuable opportunity to open up dialogue and discussion with your child, especially if they are a young girl.
To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.
From Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig (“Little Women,” “Lady Bird”) comes “Barbie,” starring Oscar-nominees Margot Robbie (“Bombshell,” “I, Tonya”) and Ryan Gosling (“La La Land,” “Half Nelson”) as Barbie and Ken, alongside America Ferrera (“End of Watch,” the “How to Train Your Dragon” films), Kate McKinnon (“Bombshell,” “Yesterday”), Michael Cera (“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” “Juno”), Ariana Greenblatt (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “65”), Issa Rae (“The Photograph,” “Insecure”), Rhea Perlman (“I’ll See You in My Dreams,” “Matilda”), and Will Ferrell (the “Anchorman” films, “Talladega Nights”). The film also stars Ana Cruz Kayne (“Little Women”), Emma Mackey (“Emily,” “Sex Education”), Hari Nef (“Assassination Nation,” “Transparent”), Alexandra Shipp (the “X-Men” films), Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night in Miami,” “Peaky Blinders”), Simu Liu (“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”), Ncuti Gatwa (“Sex Education”), Scott Evans (“Grace and Frankie”), Jamie Demetriou (“Cruella”), Connor Swindells (“Sex Education,” “Emma.”), Sharon Rooney (“Dumbo,” “Jerk”), Nicola Coughlan (“Bridgerton,” “Derry Girls”), Ritu Arya (“The Umbrella Academy”), Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Dua Lipa and Oscar-winner Helen Mirren (“The Queen”).
The PG-13 rating serves as a decent recommendation but there are undoubtedly kids younger than 13 who will either be mature enough to handle the more adult themes or simply look past them if the jokes go over their head. As a parent, only you can determine if the Barbie movie is appropriate for your child. If you do decide that your child isn't quite ready to see Barbie in live-action, there are other more child-friendly options available for you. Netflix, for example, has a ton of Barbie shows available to stream including: Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse, Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures, and more.