John Carpenter Left Stunned: The Shocking Truth Behind His Barbie Review
John Carpenter puzzled by Barbie's appeal: A unique target audience unraveled in his bewildered review
Summary
John Carpenter, the renowned director known for his horror films, openly acknowledged his lack of comprehension when it came to the movie Barbie. He made it clear that this iconic toy of his era held no personal significance for him.
Carpenter amusingly described the feminist messaging of the movie as "a patriarchy business," highlighting his perplexity regarding its themes and social critique.
However, despite Carpenter's bewilderment, he commended Margot Robbie for her outstanding performance and acknowledged the tremendous success of the film, which has become the top-grossing movie of 2023 and surpassed the billion-dollar mark.
Renowned horror filmmaker John Carpenter confesses to being perplexed by Barbie. The comedy directed by Greta Gerwig, which offers an innovative and eccentric interpretation of the beloved Mattel toy, has received extensive acclaim. Notably, Barbie has impressed audiences not only with its well-crafted script, but also with its phenomenal box office success, grossing over $1.4 billion worldwide as of the current writing, making it the highest-grossing film of 2023. However, despite its generally positive reception, certain viewers have critiqued the movie for its nuanced social commentary and themes, finding them overwhelming.
During a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Carpenter openly expressed his confusion regarding Barbie. After watching the film, the legendary director found himself bewildered and stated that he was not the intended audience due to his lack of involvement with Barbie dolls. Carpenter humorously summarized Barbie's storyline as follows: "She declares, 'I don't possess a vagina,' and subsequently concludes by saying, 'I will consult a gynecologist!'" For Carpenter's complete statement, refer to the quote provided below.
I watched "Barbie." I can't believe I watched it. It's just not my generation. I had no connection to Barbie dolls. I was unfamiliar with Allan. I can summarize the movie in this way: She mentions not having a vagina and then concludes by saying she will visit a gynecologist. That's how the movie appeared to me. I may have overlooked the theme of patriarchy, as it went right over my head. However, I must say that Margot Robbie is fabulous.
Why Barbie Is Not For Everyone (Including Carpenter)
From struggling to grasp Allan’s character to reducing Barbie’s feminist messaging to a mere “patriarchy business,” the renowned horror filmmaker is not alone in voicing their concerns about the comedy. Other critics and commentators have also expressed similar dissatisfaction with the movie's approach, straying it away from its trademark representation of the beloved toy. Despite Carpenter's initial perplexity surrounding Barbie, he ultimately commends Margot Robbie for her exceptional performance.
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Despite Carpenter's review being disappointing, it reflects the movie's challenges in reaching its intended audience. With a focus on social commentaries like feminism, patriarchy, and free will, the film primarily targets younger females who would appreciate these messages and themes. The comedy may not be as appealing to older males, who typically have less interest in these concepts. While Carpenter may have valid reasons for not understanding the movie, other critiques have been politicized due to its messaging. Notably, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro voiced his intense disapproval of Barbie, causing a viral debate about the film's quality, approach, and the validity of his review.
Barbie's success story is truly inspiring, despite not being a comedy that appeals to everyone. It has surpassed the billion-dollar mark, making Gerwig the first-ever female director to achieve such a milestone. Additionally, the film is a strong contender for awards this season and has received praise from acclaimed filmmakers like Scott Derrickson. Although Barbie has faced challenges and caused divided opinions, it remains an innovative and groundbreaking piece of cinema.
